Mountain Biking - Trek 4300 vs Specialized Hardrock Sport

I went to my local Trek dealer and told him what I was looking for and what my pricerange was, and he turned me onto the Trek 4300, very nice bike. He said he could give it to me with a couple water bottles, holder, and a kickstand for $374. I went across town to another shop and looked at their specialized line, and he showed me the Hardrock Sport, with the same deal as the Trek dealer but for $330. He said the only difference worth looking at were the peddles, he said the Trek has all aluminum but his specialized has resein, but he could get me a set of aluminum peddles for $15. So as far as I can tell it just comes down to saving a little money over the trek vs specialzed. I was hopeing I could get a little input for all the experts here.

BTW. I'll be doing both on-raod and off-road bicking, I live in East Texas if that makes a diff.

Thanks,
Donny

Both good value bikes for the money. I wouldn't be too worried about the pedals - both will be fine to get started.

Have you ridden these bikes yet, or just shopped for prices? Take both bikes for test rides. Buy the one that feels the most comfortable for you. If you're going off-road on the bike, lose the kickstand - otherwise it can be a great way to snag rocks and tree roots... :D

What year was the hardrock? I have the 04 and the pedals are metal, like to jab me in the shins everytime I'm walking it.

I don't understand why the Specialized dealer was concentrating on the pedals. I would have pointed out the differences in the crankset. The Specialized has a better crank. FWIW, given the choice between the two, I think the clear winner is the Specialized. This of course assumes they fit equally well.

My vote is for the TREK.

I have a 2003 Hardrock and love it. To me it seemed like the nicer bike. The pedals are all metal on mine. For $5 you can get a pair of Wellgo metal platforms with toe clips at Jenson USA, so I wouldnt consider that an issue. Bottle cages and bottles are also very cheap online.

When I first bought my bike I was wondering how I was going to live without a kickstand, I never got one and I have never missed it. When necessary I just lay the bike drivetrain side up. Works just fine. Kickstands always clank around and can be dangerous for offroad.

The Trek 4300 was my 'Welcome back to cycling' bike and has served me very well. Two problems with the '02 model I bought -- the RST CrAPA fork has sloppy bushings which makes the sliders pretty wiggly and the wheels are Wal-Mart grade (hub cones were destroyed after ~1500 miles). After putting Mavic Crossride wheels on it and a few other minor upgrades it's pretty sweet now ...

I went with the Trek, the store offered me a really good deal, got a $400 bike for $330, and I love it! I've been bicking 15 miles a day sence I got and taking it off road at the trail here, its great for both! thanks for the input... I was wonder where a good site to get accesseries is, they are pretty expensive in the retail stores here, figured they would be cheaper onling.

Thanks

I went with the Trek, the store offered me a really good deal, got a $400 bike for $330, and I love it! I've been bicking 15 miles a day sence I got and taking it off road at the trail here, its great for both! thanks for the input... I was wonder where a good site to get accesseries is, they are pretty expensive in the retail stores here, figured they would be cheaper onling.

Thanks

When I looked at the bike last year the going price was $299. My brother was looking at it a few months ago and it seemed to be about $330 most places.

Performance Bike (http://www.performancebike.com) , Nashbar (http://www.nashbar.com) and Jenson USA (http://www.jensonusa.com) are my stores of choice for accessories and parts. Price Point (http://www.pricepoint.com) also is a good place for parts. Performance has a 20% off $50 coupon and Nashbar has 10% off. Check the Hot Deals forum for more info. Have fun riding.

I went with the Trek, the store offered me a really good deal, got a $400 bike for $330, and I love it! I've been bicking 15 miles a day sence I got and taking it off road at the trail here, its great for both! thanks for the input... I was wonder where a good site to get accesseries is, they are pretty expensive in the retail stores here, figured they would be cheaper onling.

Thanks

Hate to burst your bubble but retail for the Trek 4300 is $319

Just out of curiousity, what shop did you buy from?

Hate to burst your bubble but retail for the Trek 4300 is $319

Just out of curiosity, what shop did you buy from?Ouch! That'll leave a mark

Hate to burst your bubble but retail for the Trek 4300 is $319

Just out of curiousity, what shop did you buy from?

thats what i was gonna say. i paid 340 for mine

actually msrp varies from state.
ask for a booklet from the trek dealer. they all have them. the true msrp is in there and its 350. cuz i have the book.
you can get it a lil cheaper tho.

Ouch! That'll leave a mark


I know... I REALLY want to know what shop it is because I know almost every shop in Eastern Texas (not like there are that many to know actually)... if its the one I think it was I will call them ASAP and see whats up with their price gouging...

FWIW, in Europe (Dublin), I was quoted best price of 370 euros for my 4300. The next best was 415, up to 430 which seems to be the RRP. A euro is about USD 1.15, so that's damn expensive. Not much we can do about it over here...

..... If you're going off-road on the bike, lose the kickstand - otherwise it can be a great way to snag rocks and tree roots... :D

Yes, Lose the kickstand because it is a safety issue. If it snags on something and you wreck, or if you just wreck and some how the kick stand comes down you can run it into your leg. That could hurt.

If you just ride around town then maybe it is a handy thing to have. Good luck.

Hate to burst your bubble but retail for the Trek 4300 is $319

Just out of curiousity, what shop did you buy from?

The retail is $359. (http://www.trekbikes.com/bikes/2004/mountain/4300.jsp)

That is what i paid for mine last Summer.They are likely to be found much cheaper than that but the advertised retail according to the manufacturer is $359