It all depends on what you're planning on doing. If you're going to be doing strictly XC, don't get the hardrock. If you want to try a little bit of everything, I still wouldn't recommend the hardrock. Get something geared for one thing instead of a bike that's "jack of all trades, master of none". The hardrock is too heavy to do a lot of XC with, and it's too weak to be dirt jumping or freeriding with.