djgoldma

Hardrock - $469
Hardrock Comp disc - $550
Vapor - $440

best bang for the buck? Looking for something that will last, and contains components that newbiew won't need to upgrade for a while..

mtnbiker66

How many of these threads are you going to start?

ed 

Vapor:


Frame RMB Custom 6061 Aluminum
Fork RockShox Dart 1
Front Travel 100mm Preload
Rear Shock N/A
Rear Travel N/A
Head Set FSA no TH-888
Stem Alloy 31.8mm x 20° 80-100-120mm
Handlebar XC Alloy 30mm rise, 630mm
Brakes Shimano BRM416 mechanical disc
Brake Levers With shifter levers
Shifters Shimano ST-EF50 EZ Fire 8spd
Gearing (FR) Shimano Altus 31.8mm
Gearing (RR) Shimano Alivio
Cranks & Chainrings Shimano FC-M311 170-175mm 42/34/24T
Bottom Bracket Shimano BB-UN26
Pedals VP 990S steel cage
Hubs (FR) Wheeltech Disc super sealed W/alloy QR
Hubs (RR) Wheeltech Disc super sealed W/alloy QR
Cassette Shimano HG-30-8 11-32T
Chain Shimano HG40
Spokes Stainless
Rims WTB SX24 alloy dbl wall disc 26
Tires (RR/FR) Kenda Nevegal 26
Seat Post Alloy 27.2mm
Saddle WTB Speed V Sport

Hardrock:

FRAME
Specialized A1 Premium Aluminum, fully butted, formed TT, double ORE DT, externally relieved HT, reinforced disc mount, forged dropouts w/ replaceable 98954020 hanger
REAR SHOCK
FORK
SR Suntour SF8-XCT-V2, 80mm, 1pc. alloy lower, 28mm Hi-Ten stanchions, 13-15": standard spring, all others: "stiff" spring, coil/mcu spring w/ preload adj., spring assisted seals, disc only
HEADSET
Specialized 1-1/8" threadless, loose ball
STEM
Specialized forged alloy, 15 degree rise
HANDLEBARS
Specialized Hi-Ten, 32mm rise, 640mm wide, 8 degree back sweep, 6 degree up, 1.6mm thick
GRIPS
Specialized Enduro, dual compound Kraton, no flange, 131mm
FRONT BRAKE
Alloy linear pull, 1pc. pad
REAR BRAKE
Alloy linear pull, 1pc. pad
BRAKE LEVERS
Shimano (integrated w/ shifter)
FRONT DERAILLEUR
Shimano C-050, 34.9mm clamp
REAR DERAILLEUR
Shimano Altus
SHIFT LEVERS
Shimano ST-EF50-7, 7-speed
CASSETTE
Shimano MF-TZ31, 7-speed, 14-34t Mega Range
CHAIN
KMC Z7 w/ reuseable Missing Link
CRANKSET
Shimano FCM-191, polished
CHAINRINGS
42 x 34 x 24t
BOTTOM BRACKET
FSA BB-7420, cartrdge bearings, 68mm x 122.5mm for 47.5mm chain line
PEDALS
Steel cage, composite body, 9/16"
RIMS
Alex Z-1000, 26", single wall, 32h
FRONT HUB
Specialized Hi Lo, forged alloy, double sealed, ground race, 32h
REAR HUB
Specialized forged alloy,double sealed, ground race, QR, 32h
SPOKES
1.8mm (15g) stainless w/ brass nipples
FRONT TIRE
Specialized Fast Trak LK Sport, 26x2.0", 60TPI, aramid bead
REAR TIRE
Specialized Fast Trak LK Sport, 26x2.0", 60TPI, aramid bead
INNER TUBES
Specialized schraeder valve
SADDLE
Specialized XC, Body Geometry, 143mm width, front and rear bumpers
SEATPOST
Specialized alloy two bolt, no offset, micro adjust, 30.9mm
SEAT BINDER
Specialized alloy w/ QR
NOTES
Chain stay protector, reflectors, clear coat, owners manual


I'm not seeing a HR Comp Disc for '09...just a Sport Disc.
Here's an '08:


Frame Specialized A1 Premium aluminum
Fork SR Suntour SF7-XCM, 100mm travel
Rims/Wheels Specialized/Alex
Hubs Specialized Hi Lo Disc
Spokes 15-gauge stainless-steel
Tires Specialized Resolution, 26 x 2.1
Crankset SR Suntour
Chainwheel 42/32/22
Front Derailleur Shimano Altus
Rear Derailleur Shimano Acera
Rear Cogs Shimano HG-40, 8-speed: 11-32
Shifters Shimano EF-50
Handlebars Aluminum
Tape/Grips Specialized Enduro, dual-density Kraton
Stem Specialized, aluminum
Brake Levers Shimano EF-50
Brakes Avid BB-5, mechanical disc, 6-inch rotors
Pedals Steel cage, composite body
Saddle Specialized Aggro
Seat Post Specialized, aluminum, micro-adjustable

I was going to say go with the RH Comp Disc b/c you could upgrade to a decent disc brake system later, but when I checked the spec's on it...it's already got a decent system. (Avid BB5) I would personally recommend the Comp Disc b/c disc brakes are one of the greatest MTB innovations ever IMO. The rest of the build is fairly comparable on all three bikes.

The most important thing is to ride them all and see which one fits best and feels best. Get the right size frame for your body type and riding style.

I'd say you can't go wrong with any of them. They're all similarly built. One doesn't have much over the other except for the Comp Disc excellent entry level braking system.

ed 

What he said.

T3hk1w1

The brakes on the HR Comp disc are really good for the price of the bike. You might want to go to your local LBS and try picking up these bikes-the Hardrock (08) is over 30 pounds and I imagine the others won't be much lighter. For the uses you mentioned in the other thread you started I would look at a hybrid bike.

Lebowski

i owned a hardrock sport. other than the drive train being total and complete GARBAGE it was a good bike.

Dannihilator

Go test ride each bike and select which one you like the most out of them.

ed 

My bike is 30lbs9oz...does my bike suck?

local local bike shop

dminor 

Yes, but not because of its weight.

GurrCentral

the hardrock sport 09 has ****ty parts on it! if you get a sport, go with an o8 and upgrade the fork.

NuBiker

get an Ironhorse 5.0 for 599.00 plus extra discount with coupon codes
https://www.rscycle.com/2008-Iron-Hor...7&category=531

Dannihilator

Umm, while it does have better components, the shipping is going to put it past $600 even with the discount. Plus the OP seems intent on getting a bike from a local bike shop.

M_S

Since none of the drivetrains or forks are standout better than the others, I agree with chelboed, get the one with the best brakes (BB5s).

NuBiker

free shipping for items more then 75USD and for me no taxes.

mtnbiker66

What parts other than the fork are ****ty?

ed 

The big sticker on the front of the head tube.

ed 

Oh...you didn't...

GurrCentral

Heard alot of cranks are going down, and i'd get disc brakes as well. Its all what u want, what feels the best, and what will work the best with the riding you will be doing. Many different opinions bout this, but do what works for you..