The hardrock is a good all around bike with a good cost for the average weekend rider/ trail rider.
Its a solid frame, and very well desiged. It can handle everything from riding it to the store, around town, to school, its strong enough to handle mild jumping, and some more techinical trail riding. Its great for learning anything, from dirt jumping, XC, some mild trials skills, light urban assult, and so on....

I have a specialized hardrock frame just sitting in the garage waiting to get built up for a friend in need, no cost at all.