Mountain Biking - Stronger Frame: Specialized Hardrock v. Gary Fisher Opie

Which do you think has a stronger and more durable frame? The Specialized Hardrock Sport with the A1 Aluminum...probably just the weak temper T0, v. the Gary Fisher Opie, looks like T0 6061 aluminum as well.
Any idea about how strong the chainstay and the seatstays are for each?

Specialized Hardrock Sport
http://www.mikesbike.com/images07/HRportSatBlkStm.jpg

Gary Fisher Opie
http://www.mcphailscycle.com/documents/product_thumb_81.jpg

I'm kinda leaning toward the Opie for strength. As far as your chainstays / seatstays question...the Fisher has a smaller rear triangle FWIW.

The Opie has pretty nice gussets at the seat tube / top tube jct. and the top tube / head tube jct.

This is a close-up of the seat stay and the chain stay of the Gary Fisher Opie. For some reason the large welding seems to be weaker than if it were one piece. Does this seem right to anyone?
http://i11.tinypic.com/52d3v5w.jpg

That section is plenty strong can't assume on something on how strong something is.

Well, I would expect the Opie to be slightly more resistent to impact, because it is a jumping bike, but I don't really know...

Thought I would post this up too. The Spec. Hardrock has two sets of holes, one at the derailleur area where the seat stay meets the chain stay, and another on the seat stay. They are used for mounting racks and fenders, they also weaken the frame=holes=weaker frame
Can anyone confirm? Or should I bash the hell out of a Hardrock and hope for the worst?
http://i10.tinypic.com/4ze2fqu.jpg

Thought I would post this up too. The Spec. Hardrock has two sets of holes, one at the derailleur area where the seat stay meets the chain stay, and another on the seat stay. They are used for mounting racks and fenders, they also weaken the frame=holes=weaker frame
Can anyone confirm? Or should I bash the hell out of a Hardrock and hope for the worst?
http://i10.tinypic.com/4ze2fqu.jpg

you know what? Chances are, you probably won't even ride hard enough to break either of the frames. Unless you're either very heavy or very extreme, don't worry about it. The Hardrock has a solid frame and I'm sure the Opie does too. Get one and enjoy it!

you know what? Chances are, you probably won't even ride hard enough to break either of the frames. Unless you're either very heavy or very extreme, don't worry about it. The Hardrock has a solid frame and I'm sure the Opie does too. Get one and enjoy it!


Agree with BenLi; I've been beating the crap out of the Hardrock Sport Disk I purchased back
in April and I don't worry about the frame. I'm sure the wheels will give out before the frame.
I have a FS long travel but wanted something different from time to time that I could just hammer
on and if it broke no big deal. Instead, it has surprised me.

I keep my drops less than 3 feet, it's been run through some of the rockiest, rooty, mud slewn
trails that West Virginia can throw at it and I haven't worried about the frame. An aquaintence
of mine has been riding his Hardrock since it first came out and no problem with that frame.
I weight between 200 to 205 and ride the bike hard. I'm sure the GF is just as strong.

Get the one that feels best to you and ride that sucker till the wheels fall off, replace 'em
and do it again. :D

ODN

This is a close-up of the seat stay and the chain stay of the Gary Fisher Opie. For some reason the large welding seems to be weaker than if it were one piece. Does this seem right to anyone?
http://i11.tinypic.com/52d3v5w.jpg

If you notice the Specialized frame...there are welds in the same place.

i noticed you posted the same thing with the same responses on several different forums on mtbr too... SPAM.