Mountain Biking - Starting MTB'ing from Road - Bikes for $1000+

I decided to look into a Mountain Bike for riding when I am not on the road. LBS sugested staying above the $1000 mark component wise as he thought with the componet level of my road bike I would get frustrated with low level components. He showed me a Specialized Rockhopper Expert in the $1050 range. Is there anything else out there I should look at and test ride? I am not sure how intense I will eventually get but have ruled out a cross bike. I live right beside a state park with alot of trails.

I decided to look into a Mountain Bike for riding when I am not on the road. LBS sugested staying above the $1000 mark component wise as he thought with the componet level of my road bike I would get frustrated with low level components. He showed me a Specialized Rockhopper Expert in the $1050 range. Is there anything else out there I should look at and test ride? I am not sure how intense I will eventually get but have ruled out a cross bike. I live right beside a state park with alot of trails.

Stick to hardtails and try out all of them within your budget. At that price point there will be little difference between the components but the fit will vary de to the various geometries. It sounds like you want to do XC riding so try out the hardtail rigs from all the usual suspects: Specialized, Giant, Trek, Kona, etc.

I personally think the Rockhopper is a great entry-level bike, more so than the Hard Rock although most here will lean towards the Hard Rock from Specialized. I think the Hard Rock is appreciated more because it's a do-anything type of bike but the Rockhopper is more dedicated to XC riding.

I think XC riding is probably what I intend to do and LBS sugested I stick with hardtail (Having to look alot of the terms up as I have no idea of anything mountainbiking). I will probably look at the other 4 shops in town and see what they have.

Having done a lot of riding near Chesterfield, a HT would do just fine. What shop do you go to? There are a few down there, but some are better than others. What brands do they sell? if your willing to go up to 2k, there are some very very nice hardtails in that range. Maybe you can find a used lightspeed for a little less than that?

What roadie are you riding?

I usually go to Carrytown bikes and the Conte's on Broad Street. I am riding a Cannondale System Six Ultegra/Dura Ace on the road. I looked at the Specialized yesterday and noone had a good selection of Cannondale's in stock. Looked at a Rocky Mountain Reaper I today. I will look at some Giant bikes later in the week, they are closed today.

Rockhopper Expert all the way! I got mine for $980 out the door at my LBS.

http://img36.imageshack.us/img36/7518/0503091446.jpg (http://img36.imageshack.us/my.php?image=0503091446.jpg)

If the specialized fits well, jump on a Stumpjumper and compare it to the Rockhopper.
More denero, but IMO worth the extra dough.

Well didn't get the Stumpjumper but I finally decided on a FST XC Pro. Sitting in the garage waiting for me to get going.

Well didn't get the Stumpjumper but I finally decided on a FST XC Pro. Sitting in the garage waiting for me to get going.

Did you get that for $1000 or did you spend more than you budgeted......... like I did (twice). :D.
PS Good choice!

Conte's is expensiveeee. I went there the other day, nice place, don't get me wrong, but compared to my lbs, the Specialized Allez which I'm looking into was $140 more/$60 over msrp.

Rockhopper Expert all the way! I got mine for $980 out the door at my LBS.

I would have expected better from Specialized for almost 1k. I must say I'm a little disapointed.:mad:
FRAME
Specialized M4 Manipulated Alloy frame, fully butted, ORE DT, forged dropouts w/ replaceable 98954020 hanger, disc only
REAR SHOCK
FORK
Rock Shox Tora SLite, 100mm, alloy steerer, 32mm Cr-Mo stanchions, magnesium lower, coil spring preload and rebound adj. w/ LO, 13-15": standard spring, all others: "stiff" spring w/ preload adj., disc only
HEADSET
Specialized 1-1/8" threadless, loose ball
STEM
Specialized 3D forged, 4-bolt, 7 degree rise, 31.8mm clamp
HANDLEBARS
Specialized butted alloy, 31.8mm, 25mm rise, 640mm wide, 8 degree back sweep, 8 degree up, 2.6mm thick
GRIPS
Specialized Enduro, dual compound Kraton, no flange, 131mm
FRONT BRAKE
Tektro Auriga Comp, hydraulic disc, dual piston w/ 160mm rotor
REAR BRAKE
Tektro Auriga Comp, hydraulic disc, dual piston w/ 160mm rotor
BRAKE LEVERS
Tektro Auriga Comp
FRONT DERAILLEUR
Shimano Deore, 34.9mm clamp, bottom swing, dual pull
REAR DERAILLEUR
Shimano Deore
SHIFT LEVERS
Shimano Deore SL- M531, 9-speed
CASSETTE
Shimano HG-50, 9-speed, 11-34t
CHAIN
KMC X9 w/ reuseable Missing Link
CRANKSET
Shimano FCM442, forged alloy arms, Octalink Spline w/ replaceable rings
CHAINRINGS
44A x 32S x 22S
BOTTOM BRACKET
Shimano BB-ES25, Octalink spline, cartridge bearings, 68mm x 118mm
PEDALS
Alloy body and cage, 9/16"
RIMS
Specialized RHD 26", double wall disc, pinned w/ eyelets, 28/32h
FRONT HUB
Specialized Hi Lo, forged alloy, double sealed, ground race, 28h
REAR HUB
Specialized, forged alloy, double sealed, ground race, cassette, QR, 32h
SPOKES
1.8mm (15g) stainless
FRONT TIRE
Specialized Fast Trak Control, 26x2.0", 60TPI, aramid bead, 2Bliss ready
REAR TIRE
Specialized Fast Trak Control, 26x2.0", 60TPI, aramid bead, 2Bliss ready
INNER TUBES
Specialized schraeder valve
SADDLE
Specialized Indie XC, Body Geometry, 143mm width, front and rear bumpers
SEATPOST
Specialized alloy two bolt, micro adjust head, 30.9mm
SEAT BINDER
Specialized alloy w/ QR, brass washer
NOTES
Chain stay protector, reflectors, clear coat, owners manual

What are the specific disappointments?

They could have at least slapped some Avid brakes on that Rockhopper.

Well didn't get the Stumpjumper but I finally decided on a FST XC Pro. Sitting in the garage waiting for me to get going.


Be prepared for a workout! I made the same decision in the fall and am doing some single track riding with the LBS group. I felt like a total klutz having none of the technical skills required. It has been fun and a totally different cardio workout and it has had it's challenges. So that's why Specialized uses words like "stump, jump and rock" in their bike names. My hats off to all you hord core MTB folks.

I really think the technical skills enhances my road riding.

Enjoy the new bike!

So that's why Specialized uses words like "stump, jump and rock" in their bike names.

The REAL reason guys mountain bike is it gets the girls, and the real reason girls mountain bike is it gets the guys. Don't believe me? Go look at the words Cove uses in their bike names.

They could have at least slapped some Avid brakes on that Rockhopper.

I know Avids are more reputable but my stock Tecktro's have been working well for me.

Took the bike to West Virginia this past weekend, friend has an 800 acre farm there. Had fun, big learning experience with adjusting suspension for climbing but had a good work out. I may not yet know alot about mountain biking, but I had fun.

So where are the pics of the new bike?

Soon as I figure out how to post one, I'll put one up.

http://pixpipeline.com/d/16d2dc32b1b6.jpg

I think I got it.