Mountain Biking - Upgrade or buy new?

Okay, don’t laugh (to hard). I bought a Mongoose XR100 about 2 years ago. I had to replace the bike inside of 3 days. Badly put together I think. Anywho, went back and exchanged it for the same bike. I only rode the bike for a total of 2 weeks for putting it in the shed. Present day: 3 weeks ago I started riding it everyday for transportation and recreation. I’m just now getting into the sport. I went down to my local shop and talked to one of the guys. I even did some research on the bikes. I looked at a Specialized 06’ Hardrock ($350) and a Specialized 06’ Rockhopper ($450). Now I know the bike that I am currently riding is…. Well, crap. But it is a full suspension. (coil as apposed to air, low end shimano rear derailer, and lowend Mozo suspension fork). I guess I’m not sure what I should do? Should I invest some money into my Mongoose? Or should I guy a Specialized bike? And Why?

Don't spend another dollar on the mongoose. It's like putting diamond earrings on a turd - it won't help. Always buy the best bike that you can possibly afford. It will [usually] last longer and you'll want to ride it more. I also recommend a hardtail so you can develop good riding skills. Enjoy!

What about the two bikes I looked at? Any suggestions?

It's like putting diamond earrings on a turd - it won't help.

:roflmao:

Agreed, dont spend any more money on that thing. The hardrock is an atb/xc and the rockhopper is an xc so it really dpeneds what kind of riding you will be planning to do.

I'm not really sure what ATB/XC All terrain bike? dunno. I will be commuting on a hilly campus (main) but I want to get into the sport, so... offroad...no huge jumps, just stuff under about 4 foot (maximum). But i guess this is important so i'll mention it. I ride very hard. And I mean very hard. I like taking the hard route. The harder the landing, the more i'm gonna like it.... as a rule of thumbs. That sort of thing. Don't know if that helps. According to the guy at the bike shop, the rockhopper has a lighter frame and better shocks. he said that is where the $100 difference is. The front suspension has some kind of dampeners in it or something. Not really familiar with this stuff yet. So I'm sorry about the extreme ignorance. lol

I'm not really sure what ATB/XC All terrain bike? dunno. I will be commuting on a hilly campus (main) but I want to get into the sport, so... offroad...no huge jumps, just stuff under about 4 foot (maximum). But i guess this is important so i'll mention it. I ride very hard. And I mean very hard. I like taking the hard route. The harder the landing, the more i'm gonna like it.... as a rule of thumbs. That sort of thing. Don't know if that helps. According to the guy at the bike shop, the rockhopper has a lighter frame and better shocks. he said that is where the $100 difference is. The front suspension has some kind of dampeners in it or something. Not really familiar with this stuff yet. So I'm sorry about the extreme ignorance. lol
Well, in that case, I'd say it's better if you get the Hardrock as the Rockhopper is more cross-country whereas the Hardrock is cross-country too but can take a beating (I'm not saying the rockhopper can't, I'm saying it can take less).

Is there any mods that would be good for the hardrock (for begginers) or should i just ride as-is?

wow..you sound just liek me..i love to beat the living sizz out of my bike too..and im looking into a hardrock...I'd say to get a fork upgrade...but what do i know im a noob just like u...lol

hah i just took my mongoos pos off a 3ft drop 3 times today...how nothing broke is beyond me..

For a while ride it stock until your skill calls for upgrades. On a Hardrock Sport, I would look into upgrading the fork after a while.

For a while ride it stock until your skill calls for upgrades. On a Hardrock Sport, I would look into upgrading the fork after a while.
Yep, but before that, the pedals will break. Crankset is optional. :D Those were my first upgrades, after 3-4 months of having the bike (had a fairly nasty crash, sandwiched the 3 chainrings together, ripped both pedals off). Then I had a bashring installed to avoid future sandwichings. :p