Specialized Rockhopper Sport vs Trek Marlin 5 Gen 3
A side by side comparison of two mountain bikes available in Australia, on price and specs. The Specialized Rockhopper Sport is the lower-priced of the two.
Which should you choose?
The two best-known entry hardtails in Australia, both with 1x9 gearing and Shimano MT200 hydraulic brakes at a similar price.
Specialized Rockhopper Sport
Choose the Rockhopper Sport for the lighter claimed weight and quicker steering (68.5 degree head angle), or if you are very tall or short (XXS to XXL).
Trek Marlin 5 Gen 3
Choose the Marlin 5 for more stable handling on descents (66.5 degree head angle), a fork lockout and rack and kickstand mounts.
Desk research by BikeFinder from both bikes' published specs and geometry, checked 2 Nov 2026. Not a ride test.
Key differences
- Price: the Rockhopper Sport costs $50 less at the prices shown.
- Claimed weight: the Rockhopper Sport is 1.1 kg lighter (14 kg vs 15.1 kg).
- Head angle: the Marlin 5 Gen 3 is slacker (66.5 vs 68.5 degrees), which usually means steadier handling on descents and slower steering.
- Tyre clearance: the Marlin 5 Gen 3 is listed for tyres up to 61 mm; the Rockhopper Sport does not publish a figure.
- Sizes: 6 on the Rockhopper Sport (XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL), 7 on the Marlin 5 Gen 3 (XS, S, M, ML, L, XL, XXL).
Worked out from each bike's published specification and the price shown on its page. The full side by side table and a to-scale geometry overlay are below.
| 2 of 4 bikesDeltas are against the baseline | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price and where to buy | |||
| Current Australian price | $950Lowest | $999.99 | |
| RRP | $950 | $999.99 | |
| Price source | At Specialized Australia. Stock not confirmed, checked 17 Oct 2026. | At Trek Australia. Stock not confirmed, checked 16 Oct 2026. | |
| Retailers | specialized.com | trekbikes.com | |
| Overview | |||
| Category | Mountain | Mountain | |
| Type | Non-electric | Non-electric | |
| Model year | 2027 | 2026 | |
| Frame and suspension | |||
| Frame | Aluminium | Aluminium | |
| Fork | SR Suntour XCM 29 | SR Suntour XCT 30 | |
| Suspension | Hardtail | Hardtail | |
| Front travel | 100 mm | 100 mmsame | |
| Dropper post | No, rigid seatpost | No, rigid seatpost | |
| Wheels and tyres | |||
| Wheelset | Specialized alloy, disc only, double-wall, 25mm inner width, 32h | Bontrager Connection, double-wall, 32-hole, 20 mm width, Schrader valve | |
| Wheel size | 29 inch | 29 inch | |
| Stock tyres | 29x2.35 | 29x2.40 (size M; varies by size) | |
| Max tyre clearance | Not published | 61 mm | |
| Drivetrain | |||
| Groupset | microSHIFT Advent 1x9 | Shimano CUES | |
| Shifting | Mechanical, 1x | Mechanical, 1x | |
| Crank | Stout 1x, forged alloy | Shimano CUES U4001, 32T, 52mm chain line, 170 mm length (size M; varies by size) | |
| Chainrings | Not published | 32 | |
| Cassette | microSHIFT, CS-H093, 11-46T, 9-Speed | Shimano LINKGLIDE LG300, 11-46, 9-speed | |
| Cassette speeds | 9 | 9 | |
| Lowest gearRatio of smallest ring to biggest cog. Lower is easier climbing. | Not published | 0.70 | |
| Highest gearBiggest ring to smallest cog. Higher is a faster top speed. | Not published | 2.91 | |
| Gearing character | Not published | Very low climbing gear | |
| Brakes and weight | |||
| Brakes | Shimano BR-MT200, hydraulic disc, 180mm | Shimano MT200 hydraulic disc | |
| Rotors | 180/180mm | 160/180mm | |
| Weight | 14 kgLowest | 15.1 kg+1.10 kg | |
| Geometry | |||
| Size shown | M (29-inch wheels) | M | |
| Stack | 616 mm | 609 mm-7 mm | |
| Reach | 425 mm | 440 mm+15 mm | |
| Stack to reachHigher is more upright, lower is more stretched out. | 1.45 | 1.38-0.07 | |
| Head angleLower (slacker) is calmer at speed, higher (steeper) is quicker steering. | 68.5 deg | 66.5 deg-2.0 deg | |
| Seat angle | 73.5 deg | 74.0 deg+0.5 deg | |
| Wheelbase | 1,128 mm | 1,163 mm+35 mm | |
| Chainstay | 440 mm | 438 mm-2 mm | |
| BB drop | 62 mm | 60 mm-2 mm | |
Geometry overlay
- Specialized Rockhopper Sport (size M (29-inch wheels)) is the baseline.
- Trek Marlin 5 Gen 3 (size M): 7 mm lower stack, 15 mm longer reach, 2.0 deg slacker head angle, 35 mm longer wheelbase, 2 mm shorter chainstays.
Stack, reach, head and seat angles, wheelbase, chainstay and BB drop are drawn to scale from published charts. Tube shapes are schematic. Sizes differ between these bikes, so check the size you would actually ride.
BikeFinder Data Profile. Geometry and component figures are researched from published manufacturer and retailer sources, not physical ride tests, and can vary by model year.
Specs and pricing are listed in AUD and sourced from Australian retail listings. Confirm current details with the seller before purchase.