Mountain Biking - Specialized - Big guy

I'm a pretty big guy. I'm 6'2" and 235 lbs.

I was looking at Rockhoppers and Hardrocks. I have a feeling after reading some of these threads that these bikes are suitable but the forks are not for someone my size.

My brother has a P.2 and he's upgrading his fork very shortly. He offered me his fork and said I might be able to change out the springs for a heavy set and use it on my bike.

I have a limited budget, under $450 ish so this sounds like a great deal because he said I could have his fork for free.

Does this sound like the best solution or should I be looking for something else? I will be using this bike for trail riding and some gravel roads. I live in a very rural area with horse trails everywhere. They make great biking trails. I'd imagine I might progress to some downhill as my skills improve. My last bike was a X-mart bike and it was 10 years ago. I haven't rode a bike since I sold it in a garage sale years ago. I just recently became interested in the hobby after buying a new home with lots of acreage and access to miles of trails on old growth timber land. I love being out in the great nature in the Puget Sound area. I've been doing lots of hiking but I'd love to do longer trails and bike them.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Regards,

Brian

Sounds like a good idea. If you had more cash I would say get a Kona Hoss but since you're on a tight budget go with Specialized. And stiffer springs are almost a must for bigger riders otherwise your fork won't be any good to you.

I forgot to mention that my LBS does free tune ups for the life of the bike and they carry most all of the Specialized line. They don't carry the Kona bikes. I want to buy from them to support the local business and take advantage of their killer tune up deal.

Regards,

Brian

Bump for the morning crew! My girlfriend is buying my bike and I'm buying hers. Our birthdays are a few days apart. I'm going to get her a Hardrock from the LBS. They are selling new for $319 but we're going to try and work something since we're buying two bikes. They do match prices of any instock bike so I can try to work that angle too. I have to do my business with them because of the free lifetime tune ups. So what do you think I should do with my situation? I think we're going to get the bikes in a few days. I would appreciate more advice.

Best Regards,

Brian

i don't know but the rockhopper might be better for your girlfriend ,it is slightly lighter and not as bulky ,but the Hard Rock will do fine too.just let her test ride them both.

My girlfriend is 5'9" and about 145 lbs.... I'm trying to get out for around $300 on her :) She's a much more casual rider then my brother and me.

Regards,

Brian

Last chance... buying the bikes in a couple days. Thanks to everyone that has responded so far.

Kind Regards,

Brian

buy the hardrock !!

That was the way I was leaning. Do you think the Marzocchi P.2 fork will work for me after a spring upgrade? I might just get the Hardrock Sport Disc since I'm getting my brothers fork. My girlfriend is going to get a Hardrock also in one of the "feminine" colors :D Thanks for the advice.

Regards,

Brian

well the p2 fork should be fine for you .you might not even need the spring upgrade because the fork has air preload just like the dj series.
on the model ,it really depends on what you want to spend ,if you can loosen up 600-700 $ the pro would be best for you since it has stronger rims and a better crank set .
how i said before ,you will get the best bang for the buck on the high end models ,but the sport would probably be fine too.than there is also the comp ,but the comp is not much less than the pro ,and the pro has some significant upgrades ,brakes ,rims,crankset .hard choice ,if you think you want to stick with the sport and want to be hustle free for a while go for the highest you can spent.