Mountain Biking - I am 6'5 and need a bike!

First of all, I only want to spend around $350. I was thinking of getting a Specialized Hardrock Sport. It is $330 MSRP and the frame goes all the way up to XXL 24"! I weigh about 250 lbs. I'm a big boy :D

I only do light trail riding and I will be riding this to work everyday. (curbs, stairs, etc...) It is only about 2-3 miles.

Is this the right bike for me?


Thank you!

Nothing wrong with a Specialized HR.

It was my beginning bike, I weighed about what you weigh, it now has 8,000 miles on it. I did replace one bottom bracket (it started making a noise) and the chain, chain ring and cassette along the way - mostly because I did not watch my chain wear and replace the chain early enough. I now check for chain wear regularly, and replace the chain before damaging the CR and Cassettte.

Not bad for an initial cost of about $300. I still ride it 6 years later.

Nothing wrong with a Specialized HR.

It was my beginning bike, I weighed about what you weigh, it now has 8,000 miles on it. I did replace one bottom bracket (it started making a noise) and the chain, chain ring and cassette along the way - mostly because I did not watch my chain wear and replace the chain early enough. I now check for chain wear regularly, and replace the chain before damaging the CR and Cassettte.

Not bad for an initial cost of about $300. I still ride it 6 years later.

Sweet thanks man! Looks like I'm gonna get it.

Is the bike ready for a disc brake upgrade?

not a good idea... a big man like you needs him a good wheel!

cheap mtb = cheap wheelset... plus, you'd need a disc-specific hub anyways, even if the bike frame & fork has disc mounts.

i guess the bike itself would be fine--i dont see why not--but just ask for an upgrade for stronger, 36 spoke, 3x laced wheels

I ride a HR sport, im 175lb, and it holds me up fine, excellent bike for the money :)

I spent the extra bit of money and got a HR sport disc, which was pointless really cos i upgraded to magura Julie brakes anyway...

For the money, and excellent bike. Make sure you give it a good test ride before you buy it, and make sure its the right size :)

not a good idea... a big man like you needs him a good wheel!

cheap mtb = cheap wheelset... plus, you'd need a disc-specific hub anyways, even if the bike frame & fork has disc mounts.

i guess the bike itself would be fine--i dont see why not--but just ask for an upgrade for stronger, 36 spoke, 3x laced wheels

Ditto on the wheelset. A set of Sun Rhynolites laced to deore hubs should be a good wheelset. You can find them on online store for pretty cheap.

Get it as is. Ride it and ride it hard. Replace the wheels if and when they get destroyed.

Welcome to the sport!

L8R

A friend of mine just bought a Hardrock. Its a strong frame with good-enough components. The wheels were pretty much as you expect in this price range, they need a shop tune-up, and are probably OK, but you could do better.
If you can afford it, I would recomend swapping them for 36 hole wheels, for extra reliability. If you can find a good shop with a professional wheelbuilder, then that is the way to go for a set of commuter (ie not lightweight) wheels. Otherwise, use the wheels as they are.

i'm 5'9" 230 i have the HR 2003 pro everything is stock except a poor choice in forks (rock shox pilots ) but thats the only change i've made and i ride some really ruff terrain .

i like it so much i bought my wife one

in other words go for it

hey guys, thanks for the input!

I went to my local bike shops today. Each one sells different bikes, Kona, Specialized, Haro and Trek.

*The specialized store said that the specialized bikes were out of stock. I couldn't get one for another couple months.

*The Kona bikes are very nice, but way out of my price range.

*Then I stumbled into the Trek store. In there was a $475 Trek 4500 and a 24" frame. I think I will go for this one. I can put money down on it and save it is what he said.

What do you guys think about this plan? (trek 4500 for $475)


Thanks

I'm not a big fan of Trek how about a Specialized Rockhopper for abut $440? (http://www.specialized.com/SBCBkModel.jsp?spid=6013&JServSessionIdroot=96n4cm23l8.j27002) Also see The $500 bike thread (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=56148) seeing as how you're starting to play in that ball park

Im not a great fan of Trek either, not sure why... :S I think its just one of those things lol....

Its definatly worth spending your money on a better bike, the TREK's are ok though...

Have a good look around

Cheers

Cornish_rdr_uk

I am also not a big fan of Trek products. Don't really know why. They make a good bike. I guess it must have been some wierd non-related to Trek incident with a shop in town that was one of their dealers.

They pissed me off, and I guess I always related this bad experience to Trek bikes. That or their paint jobs just turn me off. I do support their involvement with LA and that crazy road race over there in France.

L8R

as to the size thing, im almost 6'3 and im loving my short frame P.3! :p