Hi,

I'm getting a new mountain bike, but I need some advice on what to get.
I've got my eye on a Specialized Rockhopper Disc, but I'm not 100% sure that I need the shocks. I use my current bike (no shocks) off road and on, and that's the plan for the new one too.
I don't commute to work by bike; it's just for fitness.

Do shock absorbers hamper on-road speed a lot?

Is it better to have them for those off-road sections?!

Help!

if on road m8 just harden them up simple as that

So you can adjust the tension of the shocks? I didn't know that.
Cheers!

Shocks won't necessarily slow down on-road performance (the bouncing that they will suffer when you're riding hard may do a little) but they weigh more than rigid forks. If you reckon you'll do some off-road riding then yes get a bike with sus forks, if deffo on-road only then rigid forks may be the answer however there is prob not much choice in the way of bikes above the cheapo basic bikes that don't ave suspension forks as std.
My Cannondale came with rigid forks as std then I fitted suspension forks a coupe lof years later. Off road performance is better but I reckon on-road it's slightly worse but I use it as an off-road bike only anyway so it's no downer for me.

http://www.cambriabike.com/forks&shock/manitou_axel_super_fork_2004.htm

Rockhopper has a similar front fork. If you look at the top of the fork the red bezel is easily adjusted on the move to lock-out suspension travel.

I have similar adjustment on my Fox shock on my Sepcialized Epic Disc.

Well worth it m8!!! ;)