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Morning all, absolute off road newbie here in need of wisdom. I do a lot of road bike miles but a couple of years ago fancied getting up to Dalby Forest for a change and a play on the trails ( https://www.forestryengland.uk/dalby-forest/cycling-and-mountain-biking-trails). So I bought a Rockhopper Expert in an end of season sale for a good discount (this spec: https://www.specializedconceptstore.co.uk/product/512/2015-rockhopper-expert-29/).
To be honest I've never got up to Dalby on it, I've only used it for Sunday pub pootling with my other half and it feels like a hell of a lump, even after swapping the huge flak jacket tires for 35mm road jobs.
I've a bit more time now and I plan to get up to Dalby in the next month or so but I'm wondering if the Rockhopper is a good choice for getting onto the Red & Black Run (in time). Will it still be a lump on the trail or will it start working in the dirt? I'm wondering whether a 27.5" choice might feel more responsive and I've seen Voodoo Hoodoo's recommended as a £500ish entry level bike - Halfords have an offer on putting them at £440 this month. Would I be better off selling the Rockhopper & getting one of these, or is the Hoodoo not as good as what I've got already (I know from Road bike experience that Specialized charge more for not necessarily better components).
Or am I barking up two wrong trees and should be looking at something else entirely (but I don't have much cash beyond what I can get selling the Rockhopper!)
Cheers in advance. Paul.
Both bikes are perfectly capable machines for trail centres.
Be honest with yourself do you want to go riding at Dalby this time or do you want to buy a new bike?
If the first then the Rockhopper will do just fine. If you do spend a lot of time riding off road and develop your skills you might then decide to get a new bike and you'll have a much better understanding of what you're looking for in a bike and what you'll use it for.
If the latter then knock yourself out, the Voodoo is a decent good value bike. Though I doubt the Rockhopper would sell for very much secondhand.
Be honest with yourself do you want to go riding at Dalby this time or do you want to buy a new bike?
Very pertinent question - and yep I'm always looking for a new, good value bike. But the priority is to get on the trails on a capable bike, and your second point is also on my mind:
If you do spend a lot of time riding off road and develop your skills you might then decide to get a new bike and you’ll have a much better understanding of what you’re looking for in a bike and what you’ll use it for.
This is probably a better way to look at it. See if I enjoy it, develop some skills and then think about whether I even need to upgrade. Thanks for the advice!
Stick with the Spesh bike. You'd be wasting money selling it and getting the Voodoo. Any entry level MTB is gonna feel a bit of a lump to someone who's mostly ridden a road bike. There's nothing wrong with the Voodoo it's just not going to be a better bike. The voodoo is a different bike because it has slightly smaller wheels and will feel different but it is not going to be any quicker. In theory a 29er like the Spesh will roll a bit faster but won't be as agile as a 27.5 bike. In theory. I ride a Voodoo Bizango 29er (previous model with 2x front crank) and it's a great bike and of course it feels heavy compared with my road bike. Save your money. Ride the bike you have. Keep it clean, maintain it properly. And when you break it, get a better, lighter bike. Happy riding.
The single front cog on the Hoodoo was one of the things I liked about it, as well as the more agile 27.5 wheels...but it sounds like across the board there's not enough on the Hoodoo to make the trade worthwhile.
Ride the bike you have. Keep it clean, maintain it properly. And when you break it, get a better, lighter bike. Happy riding.
2 votes for sticking with what I've got. Makes sense, Cheers (though I can't guarantee keeping it clean!)
Another vote for sticking with the Spesh (and I have a a Rockhopper and a Voodoo Maji in the family stable).
Both good bikes, but not enough difference to make the change worthwhile. I think the Voodoo could also be heavier than the Rockhopper - the wheels and frame on the Voodoo are no lightweights.
Another vote for sticking with the Spesh
Cheers, and yeah I think I saw the Hoodoo came in at 15kg, which did seem crazy heavy...