Mountain Biking - Trek Y26 vs Specialized Hardrock Sport

Hi guys, i don't understand much about bikes but after i broke my walmart bike frame ^^ i searched the web for info about a bike to start over again. I do a lot of stairs, some jumps, and some trails around the woods next to my house. I came across these 2 bikes, and i after i read somethings about those bikes i got some questions.

Overall, ppl say the hardrock is a good bike for starters, but as i do lots of stairs im afraid the same thing that happened to my older bike (broken frame), so i considered getting the Y26 which ppl say isn't worth getting, because a FS for that price is not good.

I would like to know if the Y26 frame is good to invest money later on, like changing the fork, rear suspension, something like that. Or if the hardrock is good for the kind of stuff i would do with the bike.

Thanks in advance

I vote for the Hardrock! ;)
PS. Ride them both, see witch one feels best....... Then buy the Hardrock!

I just got a HardRock Sport and I love it. It's great for the money, really it is. I am mainly an urban biker I ride through town and jump picnic table to picnic table, ledge to ledge, stairs, ect.. but also do trails and I've already put a good beatin on the Hardrock and no problems as of yet except the chain slipped off but that was entirely my fualt.

I actually think the Hardrock's frame might be stronger than the Y26. As you already stated, a FS in that price range isn't really worth getting. I'd suggest the Hardrock, last Saturday it was it's one year anniversary and it's still going strong and I do put it through some rough stuff sometimes.

definitely go for the hardrock. there is no point upgrading the y26, because like you said, an FS for that amount of money isn't going to be good.

i know a few kids with hardrocks who have done stairs, dirt jumping, with no problems. if the choice is between the two bikes you're looking at, definitely hardrock.

I couldn't recommend that y26 to anyone.. its a toy much like that xmart bike.

I would definately steer clear of the Y26. It's a wanna be XC bike. The old line of Trek Y-bikes were not too bad, but that one is a gimmick. You need an Urban/Jump bike. The hardrock series is pretty tough. They're kinda heavy, but heck most tough bikes are, right?.

You may want to check into the Gary Fisher line-up. They have the "Biggen's" hardtail line of "tough bikes" that can take a pretty good beating. The 'Opie' is in a similar pricerange as the Hardrock Sport.($399) The Mullet and Mullet24 are a bit more pricey (list $659) but can be found cheaper on line. It's a pretty good urban bike and the Mullet 24" has 24" wheels that would be stronger than your standard 26". I saw the 24" on Jenson USA for $360. DANG IT I wish I would have picked one up at that time. The 24" wheels would stay in true longer and be harder to taco when you land hard.

Opie: http://fisherbikes.com/bikes/bike_detail.asp?series=freeride-hardtail&bike=Opie
Mullet: http://fisherbikes.com/bikes/bike_detail.asp?series=freeride-hardtail&bike=Mullet

I have owned two Gary Fishers and one Specialized and I have loved them all.

HR, hands down out of those two, those GF's are pretty good aswell

go for the hardrock, its a much better bike to begin with.

Thanks for the comments guys, im really going for the Hardrock, i went for a ride on one today, and i just loved it. I also tried the Y26, didn't like it so much, lots of noise from the back suspension, harder to climb with it than the hardrock, also the Hardrock frame seems a lot better than the Trek to invest money in the future.

Thanks once again :)

Thanks for the comments guys, im really going for the Hardrock, i went for a ride on one today, and i just loved it. I also tried the Y26, didn't like it so much, lots of noise from the back suspension, harder to climb with it than the hardrock, also the Hardrock frame seems a lot better than the Trek to invest money in the future.

Thanks once again
Good decision.

I almost got a Y26, so thankful I got my Bruiser instead. Y26's are terrible, and I've seen 2 of them snap in half. Definately get the Hardrock, if not the hardrock, then still get a hardtail.

Good decision.

I almost got a Y26, so thankful I got my Bruiser instead. Y26's are terrible, and I've seen 2 of them snap in half. Definately get the Hardrock, if not the hardrock, then still get a hardtail.


Dood, your ride looks mean. It makes my HKEK look like a whining little girl. I love the Trek Bruiser frame. My Fisher frame is an XC frame so the dropouts are skeletonized.

I need a jump bike.

Nice ride, man.