Compare/Specialized Epic Hardtail vs Rockhopper

Head to headMountain

Epic Hardtail

Rockhopper

Specialized

Starting price

Epic Hardtail$3,600

Rockhopper$650

Claimed weight

Epic Hardtail10.37 kg (22.9 lb)

Rockhopper13.12 kg (28.9 lb)

Tire clearance

Epic Hardtail—

Rockhopper59.7 mm

Builds available

Epic Hardtail1

Rockhopper9

01 / Overview

Overview

03 / Specifications

Where the builds differ.

Comparing our editor's-pick builds side-by-side. Winners highlighted row-by-row — lower price and weight, and the better-spec component, each mark a point.

01Frameset

Epic Hardtail

Comp SRAM S-1000 AXS RockShox SID SL · $3,600

Rockhopper

Expert · $1,300

Claimed weight

10.37 kg (22.9 lb)

13.12 kg (28.9 lb)

Frame material

Specialized FACT 11m, Progressive XC Geometry, Rider-First Engineered™, threaded BB, UDH, 12x148mm rear spacing, internal cable routing

Specialized A1 Premium Butted Alloy (zero-stack head tube, internal cable routing, 135x9mm QR dropouts, replaceable alloy derailleur hanger, stealth rack mounts, dropper compatible)

Fork

Rockshox SID SL, Rush RL Damper, Debon Air, 15x110mm, 44mm offset, S-XL: 110mm Travel, XS: 90mm Travel

RockShox Judy (Solo Air, Turnkey damper, 46mm offset, QR, size-specific 80/90/100mm travel, alloy steerer)

Tire clearance

—

59.7 mm

02Groupset

Shift levers

Sram AXS POD Controller

SRAM SX Eagle trigger, 12-speed

Rear derailleur

SRAM S-1000 Eagle Transmission

SRAM NX Eagle, 12-speed

Cassette

SRAM XS 1270 Transmission, 10-52t

SRAM PG-1210 Eagle, 12-speed, 11-50T

Crankset

SRAM S1000 Eagle, DUB, 165/170/175mm, 34T

SRAM Stylo cranks

Brakes

SRAM Level Bronze 2-piston, Stealth

Shimano BR-MT200 hydraulic disc (XS–M 27.5: 160mm rotor; M–XXL 29: 180mm rotor)

03Wheelset

Front wheel

Specialized 29, 27mm inner width, 28h, tubeless ready; Specialized alloy, sealed cartridge bearings, 6-bolt, 15x110mm thru-axle, 28h; DT Swiss Industry

Specialized Alloy, hookless, tubeless ready, 25mm internal width; Formula DC-20, 6-bolt, 100x9mm QR; Stainless, 14g

Rear wheel

Specialized 29, 27mm inner width, 28h, tubeless ready; Specialized alloy, sealed cartridge bearings, 6-bolt, 12x148mm thru-axle, 28h; DT Swiss Industry

Specialized Alloy, hookless, tubeless ready, 25mm internal width; Formula DC-22, 6-bolt freehub, 135x9mm QR; Stainless, 14g

Front tire

Specialized Fast Trak, Control Casing, T7 Compound, 29x2.35

Specialized Ground Control 2BR, 27.5/29x2.35

04Cockpit

Handlebar / stem

Specialized Alloy Minirise, 10mm rise, 750mm, 31.8mm clamp

Specialized alloy, 31.8mm, 9° backsweep, 15mm rise

Saddle

Body Geometry Power Sport, steel rails

Bridge Sport, steel rails, 155/143mm

Seatpost

Specialized Alloy, Single Bolt, 30.9mm

Alloy, 2-bolt clamp, 30.9mm

03.1

Build variants & pricing

Epic Hardtail · 1 builds$3,600

Comp SRAM S-1000 AXS RockShox SID SL

SRAM S-1000 Eagle Transmission · Specialized 29

$3,600

Rockhopper · 9 builds$650 – $1,300

Expert

SRAM NX Eagle · Specialized Alloy

$1,300

Comp

Shimano Deore M6100 · Specialized Alloy

$1,000From$760

Expert

Shimano Deore M5100 SGS · Specialized Alloy rim

$1,000

Comp

Shimano Deore RD-M5120 · Specialized Alloy

$900

Sport

Shimano CUES · Specialized alloy

$850

Rockhopper

Shimano Altus · Specialized alloy

$750

Rockhopper

Shimano Altus · Specialized alloy

$750

Sport

Shimano CUES RD-U4000 · Specialized alloy

$750From$500

Rockhopper

Shimano Altus RD-M2000 · Specialized alloy

$650From$475

04 / Geometry

How they fit, how they steer.

Reach × Stack · size —mm

Where the handlebar sits relative to the bottom bracket — the single most important fit pair.

Epic Hardtail

Rockhopper

size —

Reach—

——

Stack—

——

Head tube angle—

——

Trail—

——

Chainstay length—

——

Wheelbase—

——

Top tube (effective)—

——

04.1

Which size should I buy?

Your height

5'8"173 cm

5'0"5'5"5'10"6'3"6'7"

Epic Hardtail

—

Fits riders in this height range.

Rockhopper

L - 29

5'6" – 5'8"

Fits riders in this height range.

→These are starting points. Flexibility, riding style, and preferred position all shift the answer — if you’re between sizes, a professional fit beats a chart.

05 / Reviews