Mountain Biking - Trek vs. Specialized

Hey, I'm making a decision inbetween 2 bikes at the moment. I'm deciding if I should get either a Trek 4300 mountain bike or a Hardrock pro Specialized mountain bike. I test road the Trek and I test road the Specialized, but it was only around a FLAT square of a parking lot. But I test road the Trek down a semi hilly street. So I really can't compare... um, does anybody have any opinions? Just about which brand is better, quality wise, lasting wise, etc. Thanks.

Get the specialized.......I build them and ride them all day, and their nice....plus the hardrock pro has better parts than the trek.

I bought a trek 4500 last month, and have ridden the hardrock for a couple of hours. I don't remember what the specialized had on it, but I think it is comparable to the 4300 you were looking at. From the little bit I rode, the suntour fork on the specialized felt better than the 4300's RST, but the geometry on the hardrock seemed kinda funny to me (could be just me). One other bike to consider in that range is the Giant Yukon. It was the most comfortable for me and spec'd out nearly identical.

As for your question about which brand is better, Lance Armstrong rides Trek (but that's road bikes, so...) and they're pretty popular, but I think they all come with a lifetime warranty on the frame. I don't think you can go wrong with any of the them

Go Specialzed. While I do think Trek makes better low end bikes (aka because of house parts), I am a Specialized dude. But a Suntour shock is definatly better than a RST shock.

These are both 2002 models right? I've got a 2001 HardRock A1 FS, but this year's HardRocks are way different. They've gone from more of a cross-country design to freeride, probably to get younger riders on lower budgets who want the "extreme" look.

Anyway, I don't know much about the parts spec so it's hard to recommend a bike. Go to mtbr.com and search through the reviews, that should help you out. Have a talk with the shop and try to convince them to let you take it out for a real ride. Usually if you give them enough credit cards, drivers license, etc. they don't mind. :)

Originally posted by iamlucky13


As for your question about which brand is better, Lance Armstrong rides Trek (but that's road bikes, so...) and they're pretty popular, but I think they all come with a lifetime warranty on the frame. I don't think you can go wrong with any of the them

he also ride's a custom 9.9 carbon trek mbt.

Originally posted by The Toninator


he also ride's a custom 9.9 carbon trek mbt.

Oops sorry it's a 9.8. He competes in local events when he's home. This was at the dirty duathlon at rocky hill ranch in Smithville Texas. I missed it but a bunch of my friends where there and all got pictures with him. They said he was really cool. The guy who eventually beat him was on a single speed. La was in the lead but flatted. The second place guy stopped offered his pump and offered to wait. la said na go ahead. Probably assuming he would catch up. He never did. hehehe.

Sorry to go off the original topic, but I gotta comment. Everybody who's written about the 9.8 at mtbr.com has loved it, and with good reason. It only weighs 22 pounds and is supposed to have incredible handling. As far as hardtails go, that's my dream bike.
:D

Mine, too! Although the S-Works M5 comes in an extremely close second. Okay- my dream bike is a 9.8 with a custom red, white, and black Specialized paint job! :D

Anyone know what a 9.8 like that costs? Not even the large shops around here keep one in stock, so it can't be cheap.

Found one of those 9.8's on E-bay.......

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1848126221

Originally posted by meltable
Mine, too! Although the S-Works M5 comes in an extremely close second. Okay- my dream bike is a 9.8 with a custom red, white, and black Specialized paint job! :D

Anyone know what a 9.8 like that costs? Not even the large shops around here keep one in stock, so it can't be cheap.

$2400.

I personally own a Trek 4500 and I really like it. It felt comfy when I test rode it and it still is for the most part. I do notice my hands falling asleep when I am riding hard in the trails. I think my wieght is too forward perhaps, but I don't really know how to avoid that. I have wiped out a few times on the thing too and she just takes it. The bike actually fell down a hill and I got back on and away I went....Anyways, I have been looking at the 9.8 and pretty much think of it as a dream bike. I seen the eBay ad for $950 and that is an awsome deal. Does anyone here have any experience with the 9.8? Can it handle technical areas? Is the frame really better then aluminum? Any info would be great...Thanx guys and girls

Ouch.

I guess I better get back to work then. :D

Unfortunately I can't comment on the ride of the 9.8 because I've never tried one, but don't get too excited about the auction for $900. Most people place their bids within the last hour, so expect the price to double or triple later today. Also, notice the text "reserve not yet met". This means that the seller has a minimum amount he is willing to take for it, and if he doesn't get a bid that high the auction ends but no one wins. So you might get the winning bid in at $1200, but if he started the auction and wanted $2100 you're out of luck.

Don't mean to stop you from bidding, just a couple things to be aware of!