Mountain Biking - i think i'm sold...

ok... today after work, i went by one of the lbs and test rode the 19" hard rock hardtail. i'm sold. it's nice and handles nicely too. just didn't like the fact that my pant keep getting caught on the crank gears. but what i need is size 17 or 18. but i think the hardrock only comes in 17 or 19. so can't wait to try out teh 17".

the only thing that didn't impress me was the rst front forks.. they were spongy.. felt like crap. the front derailer is acera and rear is altus. i was hoping for deore, since many of you recommend it through experience. so here is my dilema... should i buy the hardrock now and save up for the forks and derailers or should i just dish out more and get a rockhopper? what's the difference in the material of the frames? they are both use A1 Premium Aluminum alloy. the hardrock calles it's frame Aggro A1 frame. so is there any difference? please advise.. cuz i can't wait till tomorrow to go to another lbs.

Is there not a hardrock with better components? If it felt good than that geometry may be prefered, which the rockhopper doesn't have.

Is there not a hardrock with better components? If it felt good than that geometry may be prefered, which the rockhopper doesn't have.

i guess it felt good because it was lightweight when i was riding it. however, ur right the components on there sucked. and also i've been reading on mtbr that the bottom bracket is weak. is that the rear lower two bars that is attached to the wheel?

yeah if i were to chose the hardrock.. i'll probably have to go with the hardrock comp or hardrock pro disc. but by then the price range i could easily get a rockhopper instead. why is buying a bike so frustrating??? :(

Bottom bracket is what your crank arms attach to. Weak? No.

Bottom bracket is what your crank arms attach to. Weak? No.

oh.. then how come many people post that it was weak on mtbr.com. also, many people complained that the left side of the crack keeps getting loose.. so that makes me wonder about it.

MTBR.com is full of misinformation, you might as well be reading the Pinkbike forums. There are a ton of Hardrock owners on here, ask them if any have had problems with their bb or cranks.

just didn't like the fact that my pant keep getting caught on the crank gears..

...that's going to happen with any bike.

i owned a 04 hard rock comp for awhile before i upgraded. the crank/bb are fine. very stiff, blah blah blah. dont believe eveything you read on mtbr.

...that's going to happen with any bike.

i owned a 04 hard rock comp for awhile before i upgraded. the crank/bb are fine. very stiff, blah blah blah. dont believe eveything you read on mtbr.

bigchina... what did you upgrade to? do you still have your hardrock comp? i like the design of the hardrock... plus it's very affordable. but the front fork does seem a bit soft.

so how does hardrock owners feel about their hardrock? i would like to hear more. can't really sleep now cuz very anxious about testing the hardrock and rockhopper out at the same time. their geo seems to be the same, except the 04 hardrock has a longer body (top tube).

how are the acera front and rear derailleurs? are they going to be a problem? i've read on here that many people changes their deraileurs first on their bikes.

how about the rst gilla t4 front fork? arn't they like entry level forks?

please give me you inputs... greatly appreciated!

How much do you weigh. Did you tighten the preload? You might need stiff springs? You can also adjust the oil weight for a stiffer feel.

The downfall to acera is it is 8 speed. When you go to find replacement parts you won't be able to and will have to spend a bit extra to upgrade to 9 speed.

Yes the fork is entry level. Dollar for dollar the pro is much better (around 600 american) and will give you a good fork and a 9speed drive train (easier upgrading or repairing later). If you don't have that cash go for a Comp whihc has the same drive train but a better mid range fork.

if you are using mtbreview see how the reviewer is using it.some complain about 165mm discs NOT stopping well at 60mph downthe side of a mountain or a xc rim or fork NOT holding up well on 8' drops.thats the funniest a 250lb+ person dropping off a wall from 9' with a 76mm fork and giving it 1 chili for failinf to hold up LOL.i have acera shifters with deore deralers and am pleased with how it does for me but when its time to switch it will a complete switch anyhoo.i will go 9sp,sram and hydro brake when its time.hope to wear out bike by then so i can REALLY upgrade

How much do you weigh. Did you tighten the preload? You might need stiff springs? You can also adjust the oil weight for a stiffer feel.

The downfall to acera is it is 8 speed. When you go to find replacement parts you won't be able to and will have to spend a bit extra to upgrade to 9 speed.

Yes the fork is entry level. Dollar for dollar the pro is much better (around 600 american) and will give you a good fork and a 9speed drive train (easier upgrading or repairing later). If you don't have that cash go for a Comp whihc has the same drive train but a better mid range fork.

i weight 150lbs, so i guess it should be ok. i've been thinking of whether to go with the comp or just the sport. we'll have to see how much it cost later today.

bigchina... what did you upgrade to? do you still have your hardrock comp? i like the design of the hardrock... plus it's very affordable. but the front fork does seem a bit soft.


how are the acera front and rear derailleurs? are they going to be a problem? i've read on here that many people changes their deraileurs first on their bikes.

how about the rst gilla t4 front fork? arn't they like entry level forks?

please give me you inputs... greatly appreciated!

Any bike you buy, unless you are talking about the very expensive bikes, will be a compromise on frame/ components/ price. You will find that the cheaper the bike, the lower quality the components. Acera deraillers, are not so bad, but don't have the life and smoothness of say LX. The Fork fitted on a "budget" bike will probably not be very good, although I don't know the gilla fork. Real problems will come with regard to the parts you don't really look at- headset/ bottom bracket/ chain and I hate to say it, wheels.
What you will find though is that this bike will give you a start to real mountain biking. How quickly you have to replace parts from "Misuse" or wear and tear depends on how often you ride the bike, and how aggressive you are. You pay your money and take your choice, but do you have enough funds available to keep upgrading the parts as they wear out? If not, look for a better quality bike.

bigchina... what did you upgrade to? do you still have your hardrock comp? i like the design of the hardrock... plus it's very affordable. but the front fork does seem a bit soft.

so how does hardrock owners feel about their hardrock? i would like to hear more. can't really sleep now cuz very anxious about testing the hardrock and rockhopper out at the same time. their geo seems to be the same, except the 04 hardrock has a longer body (top tube).

how are the acera front and rear derailleurs? are they going to be a problem? i've read on here that many people changes their deraileurs first on their bikes.

how about the rst gilla t4 front fork? arn't they like entry level forks?

please give me you inputs... greatly appreciated!

i got an 03 jamis komodo frame and basically built it with all the parts from the 04 hardrock comp, then sold the frame. when i upgraded, i also upgraded the derailleurs, shifter/brake levers/cassette (9spd)/chain/headset/seatpost. the hardrock was a great, strong frame, but i just liked the geometry and look of the jamis frame better. also, the jamis is lighter. if i had to choose between the rockhopper and the hard rock, i'd go rockhopper, just because your gonna get better stock components. the hard rock, like i said, is a very strong, stiff frame and if you go that route, i'd go with the comp or pro

thank you bigchina and everyone here. today i went to my LBS and test rode the hardrock, rockhopper, giant ridcon, and the sirrus. both the hardrock and rockhopper are 19" frames only. seems like specialized is out of stock on the 17" or something. then they were trying to introduce me to the giant, which was nice, but the front fork SR Surton or something like that was weak. the brake was nice. however, since i already have a rockhopper (older model) i thought i might as well get something different.

so... i test rode the sirrus... and i was in love. i know the specialized sirrus is a hybrid.. but since i need it mainly for commuting.. i figure i might as well get a road bike. but mainly i love the geo on that bike... so comfy! well, the wife wasn't too happy with it, since it was around $499, plus now i have 2 bikes.. so that mean i'll probably spend more time with my sirrus than her.. lol. but the deal was too hot for me to pass up. i got the white sirrus with a bunch of things. i got a free kick stand, water bottle and holder (which now i have 3 sets... haha). then i got a great deal on a wireless computer (cateye) and bell helmet, plus cateye rear light. so i ended up paying a total of $617 out the door. i know it isn't much... but i felt it was worth it. with the sirrus.. i was easily riding 18 mph.

in case if you guys are not sure what the sirrus looks like.. here it is...Specialized Sirrus (http://www.specialized.com/SBCBkModel.jsp?spid=5997&JServSessionIdroot=akqxvwx53l.j27007)

now, i just need to fix up my rockhopper, then i'll have 2 bikes.. hehe :D