Mountain Biking - '07 kona blast vs. specialized hardrock comp disc

hi guys. sorry to post another which bike is better post but i just dont like basing my decisions on what sales man tell me. im in the market for a decent bike for some light trail riding and street use. ive narrowed it down to these 2 bikes. ive done what research i can and so far am leaning towards the kona for its rock shox over the rst on the hardrock. both bikes are the similar priced and the limit for what i can spend. ive ridden both and am comfortable with both. which one should i buy?

'07 kona blast

Frame sizes 14", 16", 17", 18", 19", 20", 22"
Frame tubing Kona All-Mountain Butted Aluminum
Fork Rockshox DART 2 w/Turnkey 100mm Travel
Braze-on fittings 2 bottles, fender
Headset TH
Crankarms FSA Aplha Drive Powerdrive
Chainrings 42/32/22
B/B FSA Powerdrive
Pedals Wellgo LU-926 w/Toe clips and straps
Chain Shimano IG-70
Freewheel Shimano Deore (11-32t, 8speed)
F/D Shimano Acera-x
R/D Shimano Acera-x
Shifters Shimano Alivio
Handlebar Kona Riser
Stem Kona Control
Grips Kona ************
Brakes Hayes MX4 Mechanical
Brake Levers Avid FR-5
Front hub KK Disc
Rear hub Shimano FH-M475 disc
Spokes Stainless 14g fr & rr
Tires Maxxis IGNITOR 26x2.1
Rims ALEX ACE-18
Saddle WTB Speed V Sport SE
Seatpost Kona Thumb
Seat clamp Kona QR
Color Blue

'07 specialized hardrock comp disc

FRAME A1 Premium Aluminum, disc only, double butted TT, ORE DT, externally relieved head tube, reinforced disc mount, forged dropouts w/ replaceable 98954020 hanger
REAR SHOCK N/A
FORK RST Gilla Plus RA Disc, 100mm, Cro-Mo steerer, 30mm stanchions, coil spring, rebound and preload adjust
HEADSET 1 1/8" threadless
STEM Specialized 3D forged alloy, two bolt, 25.4mm, 10 degree rise
HANDLEBARS Alloy 25.4mm, 38mm rise, 620mm wide, 8 degree back, 6 degree up sweep, 3.2mm thick
TAPE / GRIPS Specialized Enduro, dual density Kraton
FRONT BRAKE Avid BB5, mechanical disc, 6" G2 Clean Sweep rotor
REAR BRAKE Avid BB5, mechanical disc, 6" G2 Clean Sweep rotor
BRAKE LEVERS Avid FR-5, alloy "V"
FRONT DERAILLEUR Shimano Acera M-330
REAR DERAILLEUR Shimano Alivio M-410
SHIFT LEVERS Shimano Alivio M-410 SL Rapid Fire
CASSETTE / FREEWHEEL Shimano MFHG-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 chainline
PEDALS Specialized alloy platform, 9/16"
RIMS Specialized/Alex HRD 26, double wall disc w/ eyelets
FRONT HUB Specialized Hi Lo disc, 36h, CNC flange and disc mount, QR
REAR HUB Shimano M-475 Disc, cassette, 36h
SPOKES 2.0mm (14g) stainless
FRONT TIRE Specialized Resolution, 26x2.1", 60TPI, wire bead
REAR TIRE Specialized Resolution, 26x2.1", 60TPI, wire bead
TUBES Specialized schraeder valve
SADDLE Specialized Body Geometry, ATB
SEAT POST Alloy micro adjust, 30.9mm
SEAT BINDER Alloy collar w/ QR
NOTES Chain stay protector, reflectors, clear coat, owners manual

I like the Kona for the fork, and the Specialized for the brakes.

Assuming the DART is enough for you, brakes are the cheaper upgrade down the road. Id get the Kona.

I like the Kona for the fork, and the Specialized for the brakes.

Assuming the DART is enough for you, brakes are the cheaper upgrade down the road. Id get the Kona.

I had those Shimano brakes on my 2005 Blast and changed them within my first season of riding the bike. I found they weren't enough brake for me but I was also riding like a chicken-****. I upgraded to the BB7 and had no trouble after that.

Interesting you found the bb5 not enough but the bb7 adequate. They're essentially the same brake with only some minor differences.

Interesting you found the bb5 not enough but the bb7 adequate. They're essentially the same brake with only some minor differences.

I didn't have the BB5 on my Blast, I had the Shimano mechanicals.

I didn't have the BB5 on my Blast, I had the Shimano mechanicals.

Neither of those bikes comes with Shimano mechanicals.

Neither of those bikes comes with Shimano mechanicals.

Reading comprehension is such an important skill to have but sometimes I speedread/scan through and don't pick up on important details. This is one of those times.

Let this be a lesson to you kids out there, take the time to read what's written and make sure you picked up the key information.

lonakized