I went to a store today to check prices, $550 for the Hardrock comp. Oddly, I didnt see a Rockhopper although I was short on time. The salesperson pretty much repeated what
sherpaPeak said earlier in the thread with regard to it being a newbie/versatile bike. Now I just have to make a decision and pay for it
edit: The Rockhopper has the RockShox Dart 3 SL fork, the Hardrock Comp an RST Gilla Plus RA fork.....which is the better fork? Or similar quality?