Mountain Biking - Mullet or Hardrock?

Ive been narrowing down my selections more and more everyday for the purchase of a new entry level mountain bike. i have a budget of $600. I am mostly interested in trail, up and downhill riding. I found the best bang for my buck with the:

'07 Gary Fisher Mullet:
Manitou Splice Comp with 100mm travel | Shimano Alivio + Shimano EF50 + Shimano Acera | Hayes MX-2 mechanical disc + Alloy platform

'06 Specialized Hardrock comp disc:
Marzocchi MZ-3 with 100mm travel | SRAM derailleurs | Hayes HMX-2 XC, mechanical disc

What do yal think? any other suggestions? Thank you.

I'm going to say the Mullet just because everyone else will probably say the Hardrock.

+1

This way you can tell all your friends that you have a Mullet.
http://imagescommerce.bcentral.com/merchantfiles/5084954/mullet%20wig.jpg

Santiago speaks the truth.

Hardrock.

I'm going to say the Mullet just because everyone else will probably say the Hardrock.

+1

that and i love my '04 Marlin

i would say hardrock unless you are planning to change the fork from manipoo

i would say hardrock unless you are planning to change the fork from manipoo

I've been curious about comments like this. Did you have a bad experience?

I love my '06 Mullet.

Go with the Hardrock. I have one and i love it rides good after a year!

i would say hardrock unless you are planning to change the fork from manipoo

You are right on that fork,the splice is not much. I find much humor in the whole Manipoo ththing. I've been riding my Nixon for a year now and have had zero problems out of it..........but I only ride smooth easy trails.:rolleyes:

+1

This way you can tell all your friends that you have a Mullet.
http://imagescommerce.bcentral.com/merchantfiles/5084954/mullet%20wig.jpg

I have'nt seen a Tennessee waterfall like that since Billy Ray Cyrus! My opinion on the bikes.... I like the Sram on the Hardrock better, other than that, both bikes will take you down the same trails.

thanks for the advice. im highly considering the hardrock, and now i came across a local dealer who sells gary fishers...

another question i have is for your opinions on the RST Gilla Plus T7 fork, 100mm (found on the '07 hardrock sport disc) and the RockShox Dart 1, 100mm (found on the gary fisher wahoo disc) i know that rockshox is a higher quality fork than the RST but i do not know to what extent. i.e, is the RST fork a high end RST and the RockShox dart 1 is a low end Rockshox? Also, what are the benefits/flaws between having a 24 speed bike as opposed to an 8 speed bike and which do you recommend for light trail riding?

I've been curious about comments like this. Did you have a bad experience?

I got a hardrock pro disc back in december. it was last year's model for about ~600. For me, it's been a great bike and very durable. I've gone into a pool of swamp water with this sucker and it's still rolling. Also, great for uphill, and short techincal downhills like what we have here in florida.

Ill go another for the mullet because I have one and I love it. My last two choices for a bike was either the hardrock and the mullet. I chose mullet in the end cause it felt better. But really both bikes are so similar, you can almost choose on which you think looks better. I doubt youd regret either choice.