27.5 INCH WOMEN’S MOUNTAIN BIKE ROCKRIDER ST 100 – WHITE/PINK Review
- Price: £199.99
- Frame: Aluminum
- Tires: 27.5″ Aluminum
- Gear: 3 x 7
WHAT WE LIKE ABOUT IT: This 27.5-inch mountain bike has been carefully designed and developed, making it ideal for starting mountain biking adventures in dry weather.
What we don’t like about it: The V-brakes don’t perform well in extreme conditions.
Rating: (4.7/5)
The 27.5 INCH WOMEN’S MOUNTAIN BIKE ROCKRIDER ST 100 – WHITE/PINK features an elevated position, a comfortable saddle, 27.5-inch wheels (26 inches for XS size), double-walled rims, and a lightweight aluminum frame. The mountain bike and its features ensure a comfortable riding experience.
Now, let’s analyze the riding experience, key features, and components of the 27.5 INCH WOMEN’S MOUNTAIN BIKE ROCKRIDER ST 100 – WHITE/PINK. At the end of the review, we’ve also selected a few bikes for comparison. If you want to learn more about bike reviews, you can follow us.
Riding Experience
The 27.5 INCH WOMEN’S MOUNTAIN BIKE ROCKRIDER ST 100 – WHITE/PINK combines a super-fast aerodynamic frame and a high-end smooth transmission system with beautiful carbon fiber wheel hubs, providing quick and responsive pedaling. Whether on smooth road cruising or facing uphill rides, it offers sufficient speed.
To get a feel for it, I planned to take the 27.5 INCH WOMEN’S MOUNTAIN BIKE ROCKRIDER ST 100 – WHITE/PINK for a spin in the park near my home. The route here is a mild off-road trail with no excessive intensity, featuring some climbing and descending sections, which is perfect for this bike.
Smooth Road Riding
As I set off on the 27.5 INCH WOMEN’S MOUNTAIN BIKE ROCKRIDER ST 100 – WHITE/PINK, its lightweight and robust aluminum frame ensures efficient pedaling transmission, resulting in a faster forward riding speed.
Additionally, when I wanted to accelerate, the high-quality and reliable transmission system delivered excellent efficiency, with responsive gear changes.
Encountering bumpy non-paved sections, the front fork’s 80mm of suspension travel effectively absorbed all vibrations from the terrain. It kept my ride stable and comfortable.
Finally, the DRY 27.5 x 2.0 tires not only ensured a faster riding speed but also reduced the risk of punctures, providing a safe journey.
Climbing and Descending
The 27.5 INCH WOMEN’S MOUNTAIN BIKE ROCKRIDER ST 100 – WHITE/PINK also performs admirably in climbing. Its excellent geometry evenly distributes my weight between the bike’s front and rear ends. Even when I stood up to pedal, I could control the bike effectively.
On steep inclines, pedaling became challenging and strenuous, but the wide range of gearing options helped me tackle this issue. With the right gear, my pedaling became effortless, saving me energy.
While descending, the momentum naturally increased the downhill speed. The spring suspension front fork worked swiftly, ensuring a stable descent. For female riders with less physical strength, it provided better control, leading to a smoother and safer descent.
Finally, the V-brakes exhibited excellent and reliable braking capability on less intense, dry road surfaces, making it easy for me to brake. However, in rainy weather, the braking power of this type of brake system is not as strong or reliable.
Specifications
The 27.5 INCH WOMEN’S MOUNTAIN BIKE ROCKRIDER ST 100 – WHITE/PINK features an external cable design, making bike maintenance easier and more convenient.
The bike is available in five frame sizes, catering to a wide range of height preferences, ensuring better suitability.
Furthermore, it boasts a 3×7-speed transmission, offering a total of 21 speeds. The gear shifters on the handlebar are user-friendly, and gear changes are quick and responsive, providing riders with an efficient pedaling experience.
The bike is equipped with front and rear V-brakes, each composed of two calipers. These calipers apply pressure to the rims to slow down or stop the wheel’s rotation, making them reliable for everyday riding.
It sports 27.5-inch double-wall rims with 28 spokes (26 inches with single-wall and 32 spokes for XS). The rim interiors are lined to enhance durability and shock absorption. The DRY 27.5 x 2.0 tires offer optimal performance, with a central rolling section and side knobs for grip on corners.
What do we like about it?
- Excellent riding comfort: Outstanding geometry, 80mm suspension front fork, hammock saddle, FLEX seatpost.
- Lightweight frame combined with a 21-speed transmission and 27.5-inch (XS 26-inch) wheels for fast riding.
- Ergonomically designed saddle and adjustable front fork to suit female riders; starting from 45 kilograms, it offers increased comfort.
- Lifetime warranty for ROCKRIDER frames, handlebars, and grips.
- Superior geometry to keep the back upright and a low rear end for exceptional maneuverability during turns.
- Comfortable, soft handlebar grips with good grip.
- The Rockrider ST100 mountain bike is equipped with resin platform mountain bike pedals, which are lighter and offer greater safety. If your foot slips off the pedal, there’s a lower risk of scraping your shin.
What don’t we like about it?
- V-brakes don’t perform well in extreme conditions.
FAQ
- Is the Rockrider a good bike?
While Rockrider may not be fancy in any way, it offers strong traction, quality braking, and responsive shifting on off-road trails that other budget brands simply can’t compete with. Therefore, Rockrider is indeed the only budget-friendly bike we recommend for basic off-road use.
- What kind of terrain is this bike suitable for?
It’s suitable for riding on well-paved roads and other reasonably well-maintained surfaces, and it can handle some non-paved road riding.
- Who owns Decathlon bikes?
Decathlon was founded by Michel Leclercq, and the Decathlon Group remains a family-owned business. Gérard Muilliez (reputed to be one of the wealthiest individuals in France) is a partial owner of the private holding company Association Familiale Mulliez.
- Where’s the best place to book hotels when traveling for cycling?
I generally recommend booking hotels on IHG for convenience and speed.
- How do I choose the right size?
Here, we provide a size chart for your reference. Of course, this doesn’t necessarily have to be followed; the best way to find the most suitable size is to take a test ride.
| Rider height | SIZE |
| 140cm-154cm | XS |
| 155cm-164cm | S |
| 165cm-174cm | M |
| 175cm-184cm | L |
| 185cm-200cm | XL |
Comparison Table
| Bikes | Click view | Travel | Frame Material | Brake Type | Drivetrain |
| Trek Marlin 4 Gen 2 | Click View | 100mm front | Aluminum | Tektro MD-M281 | 3 × 7 |
| Specialized Rockhopper Sport 29 | Click View | 100mm front | Aluminum | Shimano BR-MT200 | 2 × 9 |
| Co-op DRT 1.2 | Click View | 120mm front | Aluminum | Shimano BR-MT200 | 1 × 10 |
| Cannondale Habit HT 3 | Click View | 120mm front | Aluminum | Shimano BR-MT200 | 1 × 10 |
27.5 INCH WOMEN’S MOUNTAIN BIKE ROCKRIDER ST 100 – WHITE/PINK vs. Trek Marlin 4 Gen 2
They both feature aluminum frames. However, the latter has a longer-travel suspension fork, capable of handling more rugged terrain riding.
Furthermore, both have a 3×7-speed transmission. But the latter uses Shimano gearing, making it a bit more reliable with improved transmission efficiency. In terms of braking components, the mechanical disc brakes on the latter provide stronger and more reliable braking power compared to the former’s V-brakes.
In summary, between these two bicycles, the Trek Marlin 4 Gen 2 offers superior overall performance. If your budget allows, it’s a worthy choice.
Learn More: Is Trek Marlin 4 Worth Buying? [Trek Marlin 4 Review]
27.5 INCH WOMEN’S MOUNTAIN BIKE ROCKRIDER ST 100 – WHITE/PINK vs. Specialized Rockhopper Sport 29
When comparing these two bikes, the latter has a more aesthetically pleasing appearance, which is my personal preference. Additionally, the former’s wheel size is smaller, providing more agile handling. On the other hand, the latter features larger 29-inch wheels, offering faster riding speeds and enhanced stability and performance during downhill rides.
In terms of suspension performance, the latter’s Suntour XCM suspension has a longer travel, making it capable of handling rougher and more uneven terrain, ensuring a more stable and comfortable riding experience.
In conclusion, between these two mountain bikes, the latter offers stronger overall performance, and I would recommend it more. If your budget allows, it’s worth choosing the latter, while the former is a more basic entry-level option.
27.5 INCH WOMEN’S MOUNTAIN BIKE ROCKRIDER ST 100 – WHITE/PINK vs. Co-op DRT 1.2
Between these two bikes, the latter is superior and worth choosing. Firstly, its 120mm suspension fork is capable of handling more challenging off-road descents, providing a better and more comfortable riding experience.
In terms of the drivetrain, the former’s 3×7-speed setup allows for faster riding. The latter’s 1×10-speed design simplifies gear shifting, helping riders maintain better focus on their cycling.
The most significant difference between these two mountain bikes is in the braking components. The latter’s hydraulic disc brakes are more reliable. They offer consistent braking performance in even the harshest conditions.
In conclusion, I prefer the Co-op DRT 1.2. It indeed offers better off-road performance. If your budget allows, I would recommend it more.
Learn More: Is Co-op DRT 1.1 A Perfect Selection? – [Co-op DRT 1.1 Review]
27.5 INCH WOMEN’S MOUNTAIN BIKE ROCKRIDER ST 100 – WHITE/PINK vs. Cannondale Habit HT 3
When comparing these two bikes, the latter offers greater versatility.
Firstly, the latter’s geometry, combined with 29-inch large wheels, provides faster and more stable speed during descents. The former has smaller wheels, making it more agile for control.
Furthermore, when it comes to suspension and drivetrain choices, it’s evident that the latter is a mountain bike designed for pure off-road riding.
Lastly, the hydraulic disc brakes on the latter offer more reliable braking force and response compared to the former’s V-brakes. They deliver dependable braking performance even in the harshest conditions.
So, between these two bikes, the choice depends on your specific riding needs. The latter offers superior performance but comes at a higher price.
Learn More: Is Cannondale Habit Carbon 3 Worth Buying? [Cannondale Habit Carbon 3 Review]
Summary
Above is my review of the 27.5 INCH WOMEN’S MOUNTAIN BIKE ROCKRIDER ST 100 – WHITE/PINK. In our opinion, it’s a reliable and durable women’s mountain bike, and its price is suitable for everyone’s budget. This is why we’ve given it a rating of 4.7.
Of course, if you’re interested in other women’s mountain bikes, we also review various options at different price points. Feel free to check out our other reviews.
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