DroogBC

Anyone know of a resource where I can look up Specialized MSRP's for Canada?

I'm likely going to end up with a Specialized bike regardless but exactly which one I end up with depends on cost, so knowing Specialized's Canadian MSRP before I actually hit the LBS' and online retaliers would be a Godsend.

Speaking of online retailers... can anyone suggest some good Canadian Online retailers of Specialized bikes and accessories?

TIA,
DroogBC

vw addict

Just buy a Rocky Mountain eh?

DroogBC

I don't know much about them, although at a glance the Flow series look comperable to the Rockhoppers and Hardrocks I've been eyeballing. Unfortunatly I'm far too much of a noob to know how they measure up featurewise, pricewise, or anyotherwise.

Without any concept of price and a weak understanding of which components are better than which, I've been liking the idea of a Rockhopper Comp Disc or perhaps a Hardrock Pro Disc... but I almost wonder if it wouldn't be better (or at least more affordable) to get a base Rockhopper or Hardrock with some Juicy 5's and upgrade components as they break / annoy me. *shrug*

gmoneyhobbit

sworks carbon 2000 eh

all you need to kno eh

Flak

I find it interesting that you say you know next to nothing about components etc, yet were dead set on a Specialized.

What made you decide this?

DroogBC

Mostly because I've been riding a 2005 Hardrock Sport for the past week, putting roughly 60 km on it in the process and I like the frame. I'm a big guy and it seems solid enough to handle the abuse I'm planning to throw at it, and based on my online research most people seem to speak favourably of them. Not to mention I recognize the Specialized name as they predate me by about 2 years, so they probably can't suck too badly.

My only other MTB experience would be the rigid Univega I purchased back around 88-90, which if I still had it would likely collapse onto itself the first time I bombed down a flight of stairs or dropped in from a 4' retaining wall. It was light for it's time though.

Why do you ask?

Flak

Just wondering. Im always curious as to why certain people decide on X product over all others for seemingly no reason. Although this -

...is a good enough reason to want one of your own

never

If you go to your LBS, they should have the MSRP listed with their price. Or just call and ask what list is and what they sell it for.

Or you can figure out what Canadian prices will be from the MSRP listed on the US site.

gmoneyhobbit

cuz specialized is the best

Maelstrom 

MSRP + conversion will be pretty accurate. Most shops honour the usd msrp.

Oh and we don't say eh....

DroogBC

Thanks, I didn't realize they had the MSRP's listed on the US site. At least now I have some idea what each model and trim level should cost.


It seems I still can't decide on which one to persue though. The Hardrock Pro seems to be a good value until I realize the Rockhopper Comp Disc is only $170 more... then I realize a base Rockhopper with Juicy 5's would likely be a couple hundred less than either of them.

I just don't want to splurge on a higher end bike only to realize later that the components which make it up weren't much better than it's lower end competitors, and conversely I don't want to cheap out and end up with junk when for a couple hundred more I could have had a better overall machine.

What do you folks suggest?

Flak

Just be aware that the base rockhopper doesnt come disc ready, so you'll have to either get a new wheelset of relace the rear wheel with a disc hub. I did the math, and taking into account the lower end specs on the base model compared to the comp disc, it just isnt worth it. I would recommend the comp disc, you'll be better off in the long run.

As far as comparing the Hardrock Pro to the Rockhopper Comp Disc, its really no comparision i dont think. I seriously considered the hardrock pro myself but decided against it mainly because of the fork. The Tora 318 on the rockhopper looks to be head and shoulders above the MZ-3 (which is the bottom of the line marz fork i believe). They both have preload, but the Tora has rebound adjust, dampening, and a lockout feature (lockout is important to me). I prefer the rockhoppers frame as well, better geometry for me, although this is highly subjective. On a vanity level, i dont like the Hardrocks...too...i dont even know....teenager for my taste?

Go ride both. It might turn out the rockhopper doesnt feel is nice as the hardrock, in which case that makes your decision easy. But in my opinion, i think the rockhopper comp disc is the way to go.

Maelstrom 

Droog, where are you in bc. I would recommend going to John Henry Bikes and Dizzy Cycles if you are in the Van area. They are both specialized dealers, both give decent deals and both have exceptional information. And they would have stock you could test ride.

BCBike

Youll Have To Call The Local Dealers For Pricing.

DroogBC

Thanks for the knowledgable advice Flak, I appreciate it greatly. I won't have the finances ready to make a move until at least the beginning of April, so between now and then I'll pop by my LBS and see if I can take a Rockhopper Comp Disc for a ride.

Considering the Rockhopper Comp Disc's components, is there anything that comes on the bike stock that you'd suggest I consider upgrading at the time of purchase, or is everything of a relatively high level of quality / performance as-is? Just want to ensure there are no glaring shortcomings that I might not be aware of.


I'm in Surrey Maelstrom. Thanks for the heads up concerning those shops, I'll get in touch with them and see what they can do for me.


I'm fairly budget conscious when it comes to hight ticket items so chances are I'll be contacting every dealer I can find and the lowest priced shop in the area will earm my business... and if they treat me right I'll be sure to frequent their store often and reccomend them to others as well.

DroogBC

So far a big thumbs up to John Henry bikes. $799 CAD for the 06 Rockhopper Comp Disc... That's $350 less than anywhere else I've called thus far, and almost $100 under the USD MSRP.

I had to ask 3 times, just to be sure we were talking about the same bike.

I wish it were April.

Flak

I think its a pretty solid platform right off the rack. I might upgrade the shifters straight away but thats about it. Ill go to a flat bar, but thats because i just dont like risers and thats a matter of opinion. Probably go hydro eventually if my ability catches up the the mechs, and upgrade the crankset to something better eventually too. But right away, not much bar the shifters in my opinion.

There are other, far more knowledgeable people on here that might be able to give you better advice in the component area. You just happened to have a question that i have been asking myself (and others) alot recently.

DroogBC

Thanks again for all of the advice.

Through my recent research here at Bikeforums I seem to recall seeing quite a bit of interest in the Sram x9 shifters It's unclear to me if they would be compatible though. Any ideas in that regard, or suggestions for something else?

Whichever I choose perhaps the shop I end up buying from would consider giving me credit for the OE shifters toward a pair of x9's or comperable. I too am tempted by the lure of hydros, so perhaps it might not be a bad idea to see if the shop would consider doing the same with the brakes, allowing me to trade the Avid bb5's for a pair of Juicy's instead since they're not priced too terribly far apart. Food for thought anyway.

Flak

I dont think the X.9 shifters are compatible. SRAM uses a 1:1 ratio, shimano uses 1:2.

Someone correct me if im wrong.

TO11MTM

No, the X.9's aren't compatibile with the Comp's component group. You can however use the SRAM Rocket Shifters which are, I uss them on a Hardrock Pro and rather like them. It's mostly an issue of preference, whether you like the Shimano rapidfire layout or the SRAM's Impulse layout.

On that note, Having tried out both BB5 and Juicy 5's I don't see the extra power given by them worth the hassle for the average rider. The BB5s don't use the same pads as other Avid models but they are still very good for braking power and easy to adjust.

[Edited silly typos.]

DroogBC

Again, thanks for the info folks.

I had a feeling that the x9 shifter would not be compatible with the rear Shimano derailleur but I wasn't really sure. Thanks for pointing me toward the Sram Rocket Series as they look quite similar in design. I'll try and see if I can compare them first hand with the Shimano Rapidfires at my LBS, and see which I feel are right for me.

As far as the brakes are concerned I figured that if I did the upgrade from the bb5's to the Juicy's at the time of purchase most of the cost and hassle would be diminished, and I'd have a slightly better braking system on the bike from the beginning. The drawbacks typically associated with hydros such as yearly fluid replacement, bleeding, etc don't really intimidate me as I've been doing my own brake jobs on automobiles for years. Only real concern I'd have is brake fluid damaging the paint should a line or fitting let go, but all things considered I'm not terribly worried about it. We'll see what the LBS has to say about the upgrade when the time comes... I'm sure i'll be happy either way.

DroogBC

Good to know, thanks!