Mountain Biking - different bike or different size

right now i have an 05 hardrock sport with no disc brakes. i like to jump it, and trail ride with it but its just a bit big. it is the XL which i believe is the 21 inch frame and im only like 5 10 or 5 11 my budget would be about 400 maybe stretching it to 500 if i changed bikes or i could trade in on a newer smaller hardrock. for a lot less money. im not quite sure what i should do. if i do swap bikes what decent bike could i get used for under 500 bucks thanks.

You could buy an Azonic Steelhead frame, or a Loki. There are quite a few cheaper frames out there that could easily meet your budget. Although, you might have to buy online.

You can put it in your local paper or try making an account on Pinkbike.com and try there in the buy & sell.

You could buy an Azonic Steelhead frame, or a Loki. There are quite a few cheaper frames out there that could easily meet your budget. Although, you might have to buy online.

Loki is a good choice. I would suggest it. You can't go wrong for $185. You might be able to get a Kona frame, which would be better warrenty wise.

so you think i should get a different bike and not just a smaller hardrock

i think you guys missed my question it was should i stay with a hardrock or upgrade.

Go for a Cowan frame for $399. That is a good upgrade!

were are you getting these prices from

i think you guys missed my question it was should i stay with a hardrock or upgrade.
It would be cheaper and better to just use that money you have to buy a cheaper (and better) frame and get a few better parts. The Azonic Steelhead or Loki frames would be far better for your riding style and will probably hold up better. And, you wouldn't have spent all your money. You could invest in a new rear wheel or fork.

http://www.konaworld.com/shopping_cart/FrontEnd/Products/category_listing.aspx?categoryid=264

And scroll down till you see the Cowan Frame.

after thinking a some more about it and looking on specialized website i think i am just going to trade in on a smaller newer hardrock. it seems to be great at what i want it to do and if i get one that actually fits me i think it will be even better. sorry to waste your time with my dumb question i could have answered myself to begin with

The hardrock isn't a jumper :rolleyes:

yeah i know its not meant for jumping but considering how small the jumps where i ride are i dont think its a problem and since i have to ride alot of up hills around my house i like the hardrock over a heavier dirtjumping bike. but in case i change my mind again wheres the best place to buy frames

Maybe it's a little like buying a new car. If you trade in your old one at the dealer you probably won't get as much for it as if you sold it privately. Either way, private sale or trade-in, wouldn't you be able to get whatever bike you wanted at that point? It would at least be an idea to ride a rockhopper for instance and see which one you liked better.

thats a good point. i think if i do get a different bike i will sell it private, and then add the difference between the next bike and what i made. and after doing some searching on these forums i am still undecided on what i am going to do. i mean the hardrock is holding up fine but i can get a 15 inch Kona stuff frame for 179 brand new. but them i dont know if the components off my bike will match up and then i think a 15 inch would be too small since i like to XC too.

http://www.azonicusa.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=52_30&products_id=150

thanks for the link but that still seems a bit more than i want to spend. even if all the parts transfered off of my hardrock and i bought that i would be in over 500 bucks. being that im pretty new to mountain biking i would rather buy a used already built bike,

Why don't you just go to that bike shop and ask them if they sell, or could order you a frame? I'd see it being cheaper than buying a whole new bike.

The hardrock isn't a jumper :rolleyes:
yep... i hafta agree,but you CAN jump on it... its just a little harder

Why don't you just go to that bike shop and ask them if they sell, or could order you a frame? I'd see it being cheaper than buying a whole new bike.
yeah, i would second that... and you can buy better components with the money you saved

thanks for the tip. when i have the time i will go to the shop i bought it from and talk to him about it and any other options. also i went to the trails today to try and really figure out what i wanted and it was mainly a smaller bike with more stand over clearance, and more nimble handling but what ever it is it has to be able to climb like a goat because there isnt much flat its up and then down, thanks

Anything can climb well if it's setup right.