Mountain Biking - 2005 Specialized Hard Rock Sport for $350?????

Hey, I'm new to the forum and haven't biked since i was 15, which was 7 years ago. I currently have a 1996 Schwinn "Sidewinder" mountain bike. It was like $160ish when I got it back in '96. I am thinking of getting back into it and looking at some "entry level" bikes b/c I want to make sure I really am gonna bike a lot before I dump serious money into a bike.

My LBS has a 2005 21"/XL Specialized Hard Rock Sport in silver for $350. The 2006 model in black is $360.......so, I was wondering if it was possible I could get them to come down on the 2005? If so, how much could I potentially get off MSRP? Any suggestions on Trek bikes that could be cheaper? I really wanted something in the $250 range. Really, I will just be using this bike for paths and MINOR trails..nothing too serious as of now.

Suggestions please.....

For what it's worth, I have never seen a Specialized dealer sell any of their bikes at MSRP, at least around here.

They'll probably start marking the 05s down in a couple of months.

You should be able to negotiate at least a 10-15% discount on either bike. I think the 06's have Sram ders and grip shift. Don't be afraid to offer $300. for the 05 and $329. for the 06. If they don't take it, shop around.....they are out there for less as the other poster said. BTW, I have a HardRock and love it, no problems in 3 years. Let us know what happens.

I picked up a Hard Rock Sport 2 weeks ago for $330 @ my lbs in Northern VA.

Hey, I'm new to the forum and haven't biked since i was 15, which was 7 years ago. I currently have a 1996 Schwinn "Sidewinder" mountain bike. It was like $160ish when I got it back in '96. I am thinking of getting back into it and looking at some "entry level" bikes b/c I want to make sure I really am gonna bike a lot before I dump serious money into a bike.

My LBS has a 2005 21"/XL Specialized Hard Rock Sport in silver for $350. The 2006 model in black is $360.......so, I was wondering if it was possible I could get them to come down on the 2005? If so, how much could I potentially get off MSRP? Any suggestions on Trek bikes that could be cheaper? I really wanted something in the $250 range. Really, I will just be using this bike for paths and MINOR trails..nothing too serious as of now.

Suggestions please.....



Definately go for the 2006 hardrock. They did switch their components over to sram on that bike, and the shifting is much crisper than the shimano junk thats on the 2005 hardrock. The sram shifters are still trigger shifters but they are a bit different in design than the shimanos. I sell 2005 hardrock sports for 339, and 2006 hardrock sports for 349. Just stay with the specialized, if you start getting down into the price range around $250, you aren't getting much more than a walmart bike. A bikeshop price is usually set in stone and not negotiable, but there are always people that will start bargaining with the already low price and great deal of these bikes. Yes they might put their hardrocks on sale, but usually when they absolutely need to get rid of them like at the very end of the season. $350 is in no way serious money for a bike, a $350 bike will perform well for what you need, and you could always sell it for something like $100 in the future when you have enough money saved to buy a really nice bike, and only lose a small amount of money.
Dont make an offer on one of their new bikes, ESPECIALLY on a new 2006 bike like someone suggested earlier in this thread. Making an offer on a 2006 bike is absolutely ludicrous, dont expect them to budge on that price, and when they dont, dont go to another shop just because of that.

Klein, why do you not suggest offering less than msrp for a bike? You think the owner would be offended? Hey, they would be happy you're in the store looking to buy. Nothing wrong with asking for at least a 10% discount....just like most give to anybody who is a member of a bike club.
My last purchase on a new Allez, saved me $100. just by mentioning the other shop had it for less. If a shop is put off by a reasonable offer, definitely time to go shopping. Just my opinion.
Ride safe.