I'm was in the same boat as you are now. I was looking at the Hard Rock Comp Disc, Rock Hopper Comp Disc and an Iron Horse Quantum at first. I narrowed it down to the HR Comp Disc and the IH Quantum, but then I kept looking around and reading a LOT. I ended up looking at the Hard Rock Pro Disc because I also thought it looked beefier than the RH. My mind was made up. I just ordered it this week and it should be here within a week. I really like the SRAM X7 shifters and RD as well as the Avid BB5 disc brakes. My lbs gave it to me at $599, a pretty good deal. Just glad I kept looking.
http://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCBkM...sid=06Hardrock