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2012 Mondraker Play 3 vs 2012 Specialized Rockhopper 29

The Mondraker Play 3 is a Street bike, while the Specialized Rockhopper 29 is a Cross Country bike. Both bikes have Aluminium / Alloy frames. The Mondraker Play 3 has wheels, while the Specialized Rockhopper 29 has 29" wheels. The Specialized Rockhopper 29 has SR Suntour forks. The Mondraker Play 3 comes in M, S, while the Specialized Rockhopper 29 comes in 15.5", 17.5", 19", 21", 23".

  • Frameset
  • Frame Material
  • Frame
  • Fork
  • Shock
  • Motor
  • Battery
  • Wheels
  • Hubs
  • Wheels
  • Wheel Size
  • Spokes
  • Tires
  • Drivetrain
  • Chain
  • Crank
  • Bottom Bracket
  • Front Derailleur
  • Rear Derailleur
  • Shifters
  • Cassette
  • Pedals
  • Components
  • Brakeset
  • Brakeset Brand
  • Handlebar
  • Saddle
  • Seatpost
  • Stem
  • Grips
  • Headset
  • Play 6061 Square Street Hydroformed Old School
  • RST Dirt T, 100mm
  • Formula Alloy
  • Alex Rims DM-22 Disc
  • Stainless black
  • Kenda K-Rad 26x2.30
  • 420, , 42/32/22T, Kmc Z-72
  • Suntour XCT-V2
  • -30, CH-52 Cartridge
  • Sram 3.0
  • Sram X4 medium cage
  • Sram Trigger X4
  • Tektro Novela, Tektro Novela
  • Abyss 31.8mm 9º 710mm
  • Mondraker Play series Pivotal
  • Abyss Dirt pivot 350mmx31.6mm, , ,
  • Onoff Morph Slope II 50mm 31.6mm
  • Street translucend 130mm
  • CH Aheadset
  • Specialized M4 29"" fully manipulated alloy frame, fully butted , disc only, externally relieved HT, forged dropouts w/ replaceable derailleur hanger
  • SunTour XCR, SR Suntour XCR 29"" (SF11-XCR-DS-26-LO-SP) , magnesium lower, 30mm steel stanchions, 1-1/8"" alloy steerer, hyd. damping w/ Specialized Spike Valve and alloy LO cartridge, 80mm travel
  • SBC alloy, mid flange, double-sealed, ground race , machined disc mount and flanges, cassette, QR, 32h
  • Alex RH Disc 29"", alloy double-wall, 28mm, pin joint, 32h
  • 29"
  • Stainless, 2.0mm (14g)
  • Specialized The Captain Sport, 60 TPI, wire bead, 29x2.0""
  • KMC, KMC X-9, 9-speed, reusable Missing Link
  • Suntour SR, SR Suntour, 9-speed, Octalink spline
  • Shimano, Octalink spline, cartridge bearing, 73mm
  • Shimano Acera, Shimano Acera, 9-speed, 34.9mm clamp, top-swing, dual-pull
  • Shimano Alivio, Shimano Alivio, 9-speed, SGS cage
  • Shimano Acera, Shimano Acera, 9-speed Rapidfire plus, SL type w/ optical display
  • Tektro, Tektro Draco hydraulic disc brake, post mount, 180mm 6-bolt rotor
  • Flat bar, double butted alloy, 680mm (S) or 700mm (M , L, XL, XXL) wide, 10º backsweep, 4º upsweep, 31.8mm
  • Specialized Body Geometry Rockhopper, steel rails, 143mm width
  • Alloy, 2 bolt head, 30.9mm, 12.5mm offset, micro adjust
  • 3D forged 6061 alloy, 4 bolt clamp, 7º rise, 31.8mm
  • Specialized Body Geometry XCT Men's, dual compound, Kraton rubber, closed end, 130mm
  • Integrated 1-1/8"" threadless, Campy-style, full cartridge bearings

Why it pays to compare

Mountain Bikes are complicated machines.

They have parts from hundreds of different manufacturers, come in all shapes and sizes (and colours) and are all suited for different purposes. Choosing the right new (or used) Mountain Bike is a complicated, confusing and highly emotional (think buying a new car- the shiny red one is the best choice right?).

Comparing mountain bikes helps bring a bit of logic and reason into the decision process. Not only will comparing mountain bikes save you money, but you'll also find the bike most suitable to you, your riding style and your budget. Plus, when you do hit the Buy Now button, you'll have the confidence you're choosing the perfect bike for you.

It's easy to get carried away by the most rad looking frame, with the coolest paint job and the most aggressive new geometry, but the components are one of the most important things to consider.

A wise Mountain biker

What to compare

Components

It's essential to know which components make up a bike. From there you can compare the differences, such as build quality, performance, features, weight and price. This takes some of the guesswork out of buying a mountain bike.

Here are the components that have the biggest impact on your ride. You should be paying particular attention to these:

  • Fork
  • Shock
  • Drivetrain (Derailleur, shifter, cranks, chain etc.)
  • Brakeset
  • Wheels
Price

Ultimately, for most of us, price is the deciding factor and you want to get the most bang for your buck. Comparing the price of mountain bikes, along with which components you're getting, helps you determine what you're actually paying for. Are you spending your hard-earned dollars on a quality bike frame, with quality components and a solid warranty? Or are you simply paying for a brand name?

Reviews

Nothing is more helpful than what real people think about a bike. It's the next best thing to riding one yourself. Reviews give you a real insight into how a bike actually rides, instead of just what the numbers seem to say about it.

Warranties

Different bike companies have different warranties. It's important to compare the length of these warranties, what they'll cover and who's covered.

How to compare

  1. Search for mountain bikes that you'd like to compare.
  2. Tap Compare. You're done. No really, you are.
  3. A huge comparison table comes up, allowing you to compare components and specs for each bike.
  4. Want to delve into a bike a bit more? Click on the bike's name to view in-depth info, reviews, prices, specifications, images and more.