Mountain Biking - Specialized Rockhopper vs. Trek 4500

Alright so I've decided to get myself a bike after years of riding Schwinns and Huffies and them always breaking on me. I've pretty much narrowed it down to either a Trek or Specialized as those are the two dealers I have locally.

I'm 16, 6' 1", and 180lbs. I've been mountain biking for around 2-3 years. I ride predominately on hilly terrain with lots of bare roots and foot high drop offs. There's a couple of man made dirt ramps that I'll go on as well. I have about 500$ to spend, maybe a tad more if I can get something for my old Moab. I think thats about it.:rolleyes:

The Rockhopper I've heard great things about. My LBS has the base model one for 470$

The Trek 4500 is in my price range as is the 4300 disc. I'm not sure why disc brakes are better than rim brakes.

So, you guys are the experts. Which one has the better components and ride quality? Thoughts, opinions? If I could get a good deal on a Trek 6000 would it be better enough to justify the exctra cost?

Here are the specs for the two.

Trek 4500 MSRP:519
Sizes 13, 16, 18, 19.5, 21, 22.5, 24"
Frame Alpha SL Aluminum
Front Suspension RockShox Dart 1 w/preload, 80mm
Wheels
Wheels Alloy front, Shimano RM60 rear hub; Bontrager Camino rims
Tires Bontrager Jones ACX, 26x2.1", 27 tpi
Drivetrain
Shifters Shimano Alivio, 8 speed
Front Derailleur Shimano Acera
Rear Derailleur Shimano Deore
Crank Shimano MC09 42/32/22
Cassette SRAM PG830 11-32, 8 speed
Pedals Alloy platform
Components
Saddle Bontrager Select Basic
Seat Post Bontrager Sport
Handlebars Bontrager Crowbar Sport, 25mm rise
Stem Bontrager Sport, 10 degree
Headset Aheadset Slimstak w/semi-cartridge bearings, sealed
Brakeset Avid SD-3 w/alloy levers


Specialized Rockhopper
FRAME A1 Premium Aluminum, double butted TT, ORE DT, externally relieved head tube, reinforced disc mount, forged dropouts w/ replaceable 98954020 hanger
REAR SHOCK N/A
FORK RockShox Dart 3 SL, 100mm, Mag Lower, 28.6mm Cro-Mo stanchions, coil spring, alloy steer, rebound adjust w/ lockout and preload adjust
HEADSET 1 1/8" threadless
STEM Specialized 3D forged alloy, two bolt, 25.4mm, 10 degree rise
HANDLEBARS Alloy 25.4mm XC Rise, 640mm wide, 8 degree back, 6 degree up sweep, 3.2mm thick
TAPE / GRIPS Specialized Enduro, dual density Kraton
FRONT BRAKE Tektro "V" w/ linear spring
REAR BRAKE Tektro "V" w/ linear spring
BRAKE LEVERS Shimano EF-50 integrated
FRONT DERAILLEUR Shimano Acera M-330
REAR DERAILLEUR Shimano Alivio M-410
SHIFT LEVERS Shimano EF-50
CASSETTE / FREEWHEEL Shimano HG-40, 8-speed, 11-32t
CHAIN Shimano HG-50, 1/2" x 3/32"
CRANKSET Shimano FCM-341-8, Octalink Spline, replaceable rings
CHAINRINGS 42S/32S/22S
BOTTOM BRACKET Shimano ES-25, Octalink Spline, cartridge bearing, 68 x 126mm for 50mm chain line
PEDALS Steel cage, plastic body, 9/16"
RIMS Specialized/Alex RH 26, double wall, CNC side walls
FRONT HUB Specialized, forged alloy, 32h, QR
REAR HUB Shimano FH-RM30L, cassette, 32h, QR
SPOKES 1.8mm (15g) stainless
FRONT TIRE Specialized Fast Trak, 26x2.0", 60TPI, wire bead
REAR TIRE Specialized Fast Trak, 26x2.0", 60TPI, wire bead
TUBES Specialized schraeder valve
SADDLE Specialized Body Geometry, ATB
SEAT POST Alloy micro adjust, 30.9mm
SEAT BINDER Specialized forged alloy w/ QR
NOTES Chain stay protector, reflectors, clear coat, owners manual

ride both.
see which feels better.
go with that one.
eat some pie.

Yeah,I would ride both and decide on the one that fits you best.

I agree, although the specialized has a nicer fork, the trek has a nicer RD.

I agree, although the specialized has a nicer fork, the trek has a nicer RD.

RD? Yeah I'm leaning towards the Rockhopper as I think I'd like a little more travel.

Also can someone enlighten me to the advantages of disc brakes?

Good disc brakes have better stopping power better feel and do much better in mud.

V-brakes are usually lighter and in most situations have plenty of power, I didnt need discs until I started biking at this new place that has some nasty muddy spots.

also, if you're dealing with a lot of rough terrain (rocks, jumps, drops) a bent rim can end your day with v-brakes. With a centrally mounted rotor, you're not dependent on a true rim for your braking power.

the trek has better V brakes than the rockhopper, and a better R Der. but the Rockhopper has a better fork. the 4300 disc you were looking at might be a good choice depending on the quality of discs that come on it. a good set of mech discs would blow away either of those V brakes, but i'd take the Avid SD-3's over a cheapo set of discs any day. I myself was looking at those two same bikes but ended up going with the Trek because every time i went to the Specialized dealer i received disturbingly bad service from many different employees. which is too bad as that shop has a weekly featured ride, and a nice parking lot that they allow you to park at to go and ride the huge park behind them. The Trek dealer i went with is just dead center in the city, but has great service.

Good disc brakes have better stopping power better feel and do much better in mud.

V-brakes are usually lighter and in most situations have plenty of power, I didnt need discs until I started biking at this new place that has some nasty muddy spots.
I didn't need discs until I started going fast. Then they really came in handy.

Considering how much a replacement fork costs compared to a replacement RD....i would never pick a bike because of a RD. Get the one with the best fitting frame, and after that, the best fork.

Yeah,I would ride both and decide on the one that fits you best.

And if they both fit you equally, pick the one that has the better color;) Really...the differences between bikes at these price levels is so small that you can usually just go with the color you like and still end up with a pretty good bike.