Southern California - noobism

last week when i joined this site i put up a bunch of 'help me' threads that i wish i could delete now. it feels like a million years ago. anyway, i tested a hardrock today and i think i might pick it up tomorrow. debbie at cyclery USA (who was really cool, by the way) was very patient with mr. indecisive also known as me. so the predicament is this: do i grab the hardrock w/disc brakes that is there now, or do i wait for a rockhopper w/vbrakes and a fork that has lockout. i can't decide. i loved the feel so i think i'm going with a specialized no matter what. i am very bad at these kinds of decisions, so please, whoever reads this, don't just write me off as a tard noob-and throw me a bone. also, those jerseys look cool. i guess i should go to that thread if i want one. anyway, i digress...

Can't help ya with the bike decision but if you're interested in the jersey, look at both #2 and #3 (different threads). Just wanted to let you know there were two designs being ordered.

Welcome to the forum!

I'd take the lockout over the disc brakes any day. Usually the disk brakes that come on stock bikes are tektro or shimanos. Avid and Hope have buch better brakes systems and are fairly cheap to upgrade later as long as the hubs are disc ready. Avids are like $70 each for the 160mm and $10 more per 20mm you want bigger. specialized's site is down so i can't pull the each spec, but it's prolly $100 saving to go with the V'brakes. I'd take that setup and spend $70 for a front Avid BB7 Setup. You dont really need disc for the rear.

I would go with the Rockhopper!! My wife has that bike all we did was put Avid BB7 from pricepoint. All our bikes are Specialized serious go with Rockhopper.

she said that if i go with v-brakes that i would have to get a new wheelset later to get discs. i guess that shouldn't deter me though. a better frame is more important, right? she said she sells a lot of hardrocks and doesn't get negative feedback though. geez, i am indecisive.

if thats the case, I'd get the disc brakes, stopping is more important to locking out. You can upgrade the brakes later down the line after you glaze the pads. Cheaper brake setup have harder braking material so more prone to glazing and heating up alot faster.

Getting bang for buck part should be #1. The frame is the same underneath, just a different paint job.

How much is the shop asking for each model? Is the rockhopper out of your budget?

nah, they are both in my budget. i would just have to wait a few days for the rockhopper. if its just a difference in paint job i guess i should go with the hardrock.

i honestly can't wait. i think i'll take it for another spin tomorrow, maybe a bit of a longer one, and then decide.

The RockHopper I believe is a more x-country bike. The hardrock is for more agressive riding. My wife bought the hard and it came with Mavics thad disc hubs, but it had v-brakes. Also what are the components i.e derailluers brakes ?

nah I was saying the frame of both hardrocks are the same, just the parts are different between sport and sport disc. What kind of riding are you going to do? The rockhopper will climb better then the hardrock, but the hardrock will feel more comfy downhill.

nah I was saying the frame of both hardrocks are the same, just the parts are different between sport and sport disc. What kind of riding are you going to do? The rockhopper will climb better then the hardrock, but the hardrock will feel more comfy downhill.
Right thats what I said in the previous post.

the derailleurs are shimano acero, the brakes also shimano. i would like to be able to climb well with it, though i'm not too worried about a little extra weight. i'm a big guy (190), and i can use the exercise. if you are saying that the rogkhopper frame is signifigantly better, though, i'm not too attached to the idea of disc breaks. they would be nice, but i don't want them to decide this for me. i would rather the frame lasted and performed well for me.

As long as everything else is equal...

new brakes - $100 + $100 for a spare wheel that accepts discs (if necessary)
or new fork (for the lockout) - $300 minimum and could go as high as $600

Go for the Rockhopper with v-brakes which will last you for a while. I only have v-brakes on my mtn bike and it takes me anywhere I want to go.

yah you can get some nice V-brakes for Cheap. I have the Avid SingleDigit7's and work very well and are about $30 per side. I'm 200lbs and they stop me well. On my full suspension, I have 200mm disc in front and 160's in the rear and I can stop on a dime with those. Stopping power is leaned towards the disc by a lil for normal trails but when going down nobel canyon or big bear (15-20 min downhill) the disc takes less pressure to get them stopping so your hands are less likely to cramp on you from riding your brakes.

Welcome to Bikeforums, Riverside, and cyclery USA. Say Hi to Al, he is a great guy (and former cat 1/pro). You should also check out Riverside Bicycle Club (http://www.riversidebicycleclub.org). We have "team dirty work" that does alot of off road riding from mild to wild (our roadie group is great too). Debbie is an Excelent Mountain Biker and would be able to steer you either way.

Which to get - forks are wheels are both expensive, the lockout is great on the road, v brakes are ok, discs are very nice for fast downhills, and for mud issues...

Mandy

last week when i joined this site i put up a bunch of 'help me' threads that i wish i could delete now. it feels like a million years ago. anyway, i tested a hardrock today and i think i might pick it up tomorrow. debbie at cyclery USA (who was really cool, by the way) was very patient with mr. indecisive also known as me. so the predicament is this: do i grab the hardrock w/disc brakes that is there now, or do i wait for a rockhopper w/vbrakes and a fork that has lockout. i can't decide. i loved the feel so i think i'm going with a specialized no matter what. i am very bad at these kinds of decisions, so please, whoever reads this, don't just write me off as a tard noob-and throw me a bone. also, those jerseys look cool. i guess i should go to that thread if i want one. anyway, i digress...


The Rockhopper is the better bike. Both are entry level mt bikes. The Rockhopper is a bit lighter and will have better parts in places. The disc brakes that come on the Hardrock are less then desirable. There is nothing wrong with rim brakes, I love the set on my SS. Just get youself some Kool-Stop pads and you'll stop better then the disc's on the Hardrock.

As long as everything else is equal...

new brakes - $100 + $100 for a spare wheel that accepts discs (if necessary)
or new fork (for the lockout) - $300 minimum and could go as high as $600

Go for the Rockhopper with v-brakes which will last you for a while. I only have v-brakes on my mtn bike and it takes me anywhere I want to go.

+1 get the better fork. Lock out is something I wish I had on my FSR. Disc brakes are nice but they weigh more. unless you are in lots of mud and water v brakes are going to do you just fine.

The Rockhopper is the better bike. Both are entry level mt bikes. The Rockhopper is a bit lighter and will have better parts in places. The disc brakes that come on the Hardrock are less then desirable. There is nothing wrong with rim brakes, I love the set on my SS. Just get youself some Kool-Stop pads and you'll stop better then the disc's on the Hardrock.
+1. Rockhopper.

http://myspace-589.vo.llnwd.net/01227/98/50/1227510589_m.jpg thanks for all the advice, but i went with the hardrock. i took it for another test and i just knew it was the one. hopefully it will hold up and i won't be hearing 'i told you so' later. i am so pumped. i took it over a the big hill behind my house and am very happy so far. i can't wait to get it out on the trails near my house. yipeee!

nice pick up, looks like you went with the disc brakes, good choice. I don't think you could have gone wrong with either setup.

What brand drum kit is in the photo?

its a pearl. i actually paid nothing for it (i know, lucky bunshole). the cymbals are sabian (low end) and really need replacing, but the snare is a mapex aluminum piccolo which i love. ping! pop! i also have a rock n sock throne my father in law gave me for christmas. he is the coolest.