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Opinion on 2014 Specialized HardRock Sport Disc 29er

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Opinion on 2014 Specialized HardRock Sport Disc 29er

Old 05-24-14, 10:38 PM
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Opinion on 2014 Specialized HardRock Sport Disc 29er

I'm very new to MTB. I used to do a lot of road riding, but moving out of the city and into the boondocks of the desert forced me to get a MTB. Now I have found out what I have been missing. What a blast. Here's my question. I bought the high end of the Hardrock and I like it. But reviews I've read said it's a recreation bike. I'm having a bit of regret and wished I would have spent a $150 more and gotten the next class up Rockhopper. Now I'm not going to get all crazy and do fast downhill and gnarly jumps, but I do want to dedicate myself to singletrack riding. Did I get a bike that is not up to the task? The details of this bike make it sound like it's a commuter that can handle a dirt road form time to time. Screw that. I want to get on some trails. Keep in mind I'm hitting 40 years old this year so I'm not trying to get myself wrecked up. What's your opinions on this bike. Can it handle my singletrack ambitions? Or is it a good enough platform to upgrade into a more versatile machine that can handle some sketchy trails? Thanks for the input!

This is what I got. Specialized Bicycle Components

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Old 05-25-14, 01:04 PM
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I manhandled a Trek 3700 with lower-end components for a few days and it held up quite nicely. That should do the job for you just fine. Give it some time and get good on that bike and then you can dink around with other bikes and see if you feel a need to upgrade.
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Old 06-02-14, 11:17 PM
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I just picked up a HardRock 26 earlier today and am very happy with it. It will do everything I want to do and I can always upgrade components if I want, as the frame is a good starting point. I think you did well w/ your purchase. Ride it like you stole it, upgrade/modify as needed for your riding style, and don't worry about it.

Good riding,

Frank
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Old 06-03-14, 01:47 AM
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A Hardrock is a decent "lower spectrum" mountain bike. It should treat you well.
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Old 06-03-14, 08:02 AM
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The only thing I would consider upgrading are the front forks. Its just a spring fork that you have and in my opinion they work against you. Pick up a nice air fork and you will have control over what it does. I would suggest a Rockshox Reba which you can find for around $250
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Old 06-03-14, 01:46 PM
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I got a decent deal on a leftover 2013 'RH 29 (entry in the RH line). It handles most things well. One thing I'm defintely upgrading are the tires. The stock Specialized Ground Controls are on the heavy side and don't tend to bite as well and slip more than the tires I had on a '13 Giant Revel 0 that my wife has (it used to be my bike but she claimed it as her own and wouldn't give it back.) I even tried switching wheels to see how much difference there would be and the stock Giant tires tended to grip better than the Ground Controls. This is hard pack, some larger rock & dirt single track trails, most likely different terrain than what you would have (I'm in the midwest.) I've heard many say that the XCM that the Rock Hopper has (not sure what the Hard Rock has) is more or a less a pogo stick. I didin't find it too bouncy, but I haven't spent time on an equiv. bike with another brand of fork. I would look at upgrading tires, but that's IMO.
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Old 06-05-14, 06:01 PM
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Your 2014 Hardrock Sport Disc 29er has much better features than the 2011 Hardrock Disc 29er that I considered purchasing new and your 2014 looks MUCH BETTER!
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