So getting back into the sport after a looooooong sabatacal due to health, and being on the large and gravatationally challenged persuasion, I didn't want to just buy a cheap piece of junk, I wanted to get something decent within budget. This was proving to be incredibly difficult, as there seems few XL framed 29ers available on the used market within my price bracket, so I was looking at getting a new Specialized Hardrock 29er (new). Unfortunately, all stock of the 2014/15 models seemed to be lacking, and it has now been discontinued and replaced for 2016, so my search continued...... This led me to the Rockhopper 29er (base model). This was a little above my budget, so I struggled to gather the funds, but then managed to raise enough.... Only issue was that ALL 2015 XL frames were out of stock again, so I couldn't get one. Then I got a reply from one LBS that had a 2015 XL Rockhopper Expert 29er in stock, and at a killer price due to it being on clearance before the 2016 models arrive. So I jumped at the opportunity, only they were not local to me, but a more local bike shop agreed to meet the deal on the table, so I am now happy in a long winded way to 'boast' about the impending arrival of my Specialized Rockhopper Expert 29er!!!! My order is in, and I should take receipt of it on Wednesday!?! To say I'm over the moon would be an understatement, as I have ALWAYS wanted a Specialized, even from a young teen age when MTB'ing was my life! I am also at peace with myself for spending the extra extra wonga that I was originally looking at, as the spec is much closer to what I wanted, and it actually has an air fork if I'm not mistaken, and is the first model to feature such before money gets silly! So I'll post a pic when it arrives, but for the moment, here's the web specs...... http://www.specialized.com/za/en/bikes/archive/2015/rockhopper/rockhopper-expert-29#specs Many happy regards! G!
