Mountain Biking - Greetings! need advice on a new bike

Hello everyone. I'm about to purchase a new mountain bike, and I'm planning to make a modest investment of about $350 on a stock model. I've perused the local bike shops and right now my two best options are a 2004 Specialized Hardrock sport and a 2003 Trek 4500. The Trek has been marked down from $400 to $360. Both bikes rode great when I tried them out and both have lifetime warrenties; I've done a bit of research and I learned that the components on the Trek are a little bit higher quality than those on the Specialized, but I don't know how the frames or the shocks compare to one another so it's hard for me to decide which one will be the best deal. My intuition tells me that the Trek will be the best deal, but I figured it would be a good idea to ask you guys what you had to say. So please give me your thoughts; I'd appreciate any input. Thanks.

take a look at http://www.bianchiusa.com/ocelot.html too.
it has a nice steel frame and rack mounts. could be used to commute too.

Go for the trek. The 4500 is a great bike, very versitile too.

Specialized ;)

Here you want this: http://www.specialized.com/OA_MEDIA/2004/bikes/04HardrockPro_l.jpg

That model's a little spendy for me Blackdiamond, but thanks for the suggestion. ;)

One advantage to the Trek is that both the fork and the frame are ready for a disc brake upgrade, whereas I'd have to upgrade the fork on the specialized first. then again, a fork upgrade would be more logical before disc brakes. So perhaps that's a moot point. Does anyone have an opinion on which stock fork is better between these models? The one on the specialized seemed particularly nice, although since I'm not very discriminating I might not be able to tell.

That model's a little spendy for me Blackdiamond, but thanks for the suggestion. ;)

One advantage to the Trek is that both the fork and the frame are ready for a disc brake upgrade, whereas I'd have to upgrade the fork on the specialized first. then again, a fork upgrade would be more logical before disc brakes. So perhaps that's a moot point. Does anyone have an opinion on which stock fork is better between these models? The one on the specialized seemed particularly nice, although since I'm not very discriminating I might not be able to tell.

I dunno about Trek but specialized customer service is very good. I defintely recommend the specialized.

That model's a little spendy for me Blackdiamond, but thanks for the suggestion. ;)

One advantage to the Trek is that both the fork and the frame are ready for a disc brake upgrade, whereas I'd have to upgrade the fork on the specialized first. then again, a fork upgrade would be more logical before disc brakes. So perhaps that's a moot point. Does anyone have an opinion on which stock fork is better between these models? The one on the specialized seemed particularly nice, although since I'm not very discriminating I might not be able to tell.

Hate to say it, but you are already thinking of upgrades. Will either of these bikes really be what you want? Both of these bikes are good for beginners, but they are not superb. By the time you get to think about Disc Brakes, then it will probably be time to buy New Forks in any Case.

I am not trying to run down either of these bikes, and I think they are both pretty good for the price, but treat them for what they are, Good Starter bikes.

hey blackdiamond,,,,,,i just bought that bike today, my first mtb. so far i love it!

hey blackdiamond,,,,,,i just bought that bike today, my first mtb. so far i love it!

Congrats. That is a great frame. And it can grow with yourskills as the frame is really tough.

Hate to say it, but you are already thinking of upgrades. Will either of these bikes really be what you want? Both of these bikes are good for beginners, but they are not superb. By the time you get to think about Disc Brakes, then it will probably be time to buy New Forks in any Case.

I am not trying to run down either of these bikes, and I think they are both pretty good for the price, but treat them for what they are, Good Starter bikes.
Sure I talk about upgrades, but believe me, whatever I buy now won't be upgraded until it needs it or when my income rises to the point where I can consider spending money on what I essentially don't need. I have a limited amount to spend and $350 is already pushing it. Indeed, the thing I'm most concerned about is getting the bike with parts that will last the longest. I definitely wish i could spend more though!

I have the 04 specialized hard rock sport in silver. And I can definitely tell you it's tough. I've flown over curb's at least 3 times on it. Endo'ed going down a flight of stairs and generally bashed it around in the city. The only thing that's bruised is my ego. It's a great bike and the shock runs pretty good, it'll take a good fall if you adjust the shocks all the way up.
For something that got smashed hard on the pavement on the drivetrain side 3 times over and the only sign of damage is a slightly misaligned front der, I'm pretty happy with it.
It's my daily commuter.
The LBS I think you can talk into giving it to you for base, which I think is $325.

The LBS I think you can talk into giving it to you for base, which I think is $325.
LBS? Local bike shop?

Hello everyone. I'm about to purchase a new mountain bike, and I'm planning to make a modest investment of about $350 on a stock model. I've perused the local bike shops and right now my two best options are a 2004 Specialized Hardrock sport and a 2003 Trek 4500. The Trek has been marked down from $400 to $360. Both bikes rode great when I tried them out and both have lifetime warrenties; I've done a bit of research and I learned that the components on the Trek are a little bit higher quality than those on the Specialized, but I don't know how the frames or the shocks compare to one another so it's hard for me to decide which one will be the best deal. My intuition tells me that the Trek will be the best deal, but I figured it would be a good idea to ask you guys what you had to say. So please give me your thoughts; I'd appreciate any input. Thanks.

Don't know much about the Speicialized but I have ridden the 4500. I also own two Trek 4300's. (03 and 04 models) I wish I had bought that 4500. The shifters are a lot more precise than mine, however it has the same frame. The '04 4300 is selling for way over $500 around here so I would say that is a GREAT deal.

One thing you didn't mention is how/where you intend to ride. The shock may or may not be that big of a deal depending.

The '04 4300 is selling for way over $500 around here so I would say that is a GREAT deal.

Holy crap! The 4300 only retails for $360! Talk about markup...

An '03 4500 for $360 is a decent deal (MSRP was $450), but only if it's a comfortable bike for you to ride. I found the geometry of the Trek bikes to be a poor fit for by body... your mileage may vary :). In that price range, I'd also be checking out an '04 Specialized Rockhopper if I were you - my LBS sells them for $390. The Rockhopper seems a smokin' deal to me, and my wife has been very happy with her '03 - better frame and components than the hardrock.

So far the general opinion seems to be weighing towards the Specialized...Today I'm going to go back to the bike shops and test out the bikes again. I definitely enjoyed riding both of them but since I can't compare side-by-side it's hard to know for sure which one suits me best. In response to Ranger, the truth is that I'll be spending most of my time using this bike to travel around town, but with a good bike I'm also hoping to do some trail riding, although I'm realistic and I'll bet that most of my riding will be relatively light in nature. But I think that purchasing a decent bike like one of these will inspire me to go out and put it to use; I've always been into mountain biking but never had a good one.

Own:http://www.specialized.com/OA_MEDIA/2004/bikes/04HardrockSporttislvr_l.jpg And be happy ;) It will eventually lead to: http://www.hcor.net/modules/coppermine/albums/userpics/11624/888R%20rightside.jpg

LBS? Local bike shop?

Yes, exactly.
The Specialized hardrock sport is quoted on their site as $330 and I believe LBS's have to go by that price. I am very very happy with mine. Takes a lickin, keeps on tickin.