Hi,
I just bought the standard Specialized Hard Rock 2006 a month ago with all the stock parts and I'm wondering what, if any, components can be changed out to lighten the load? I'm looking for ways to do it too that are cost effective without going out and just buying a more expensive bike overall. Will changing out the tires help? I'm hoping to ride uphill with a little more ease too. Thanks to all who respond!!

Lots of ways but you have already guessed that the easiest is a New bike or lighter tyres. Go for a Kevlar beaded tyre and look at the weight of the tyre and not the good name behind it. Bars, seat stem and bar stem are other easy to change items that can be improved with lighter parts but beyond that you are talking money. Wheels are always a good upgrade from OM parts- but go hand built and not big name- big price for something not much better than you already have. Next in line is saddle- Good lightweight saddles can be had but be carefull- if your current saddle is comfortable- DO NOT CHANGE IT.
Then there is the bike-

look at carbon components - bar, seat post, bar stem. Lighter saddle & wheels, lighter pedals... as far as going uphill - practice, practice, practice.

The cheapest way to drop weight off your bike is to have the rider lose 5 to 10 pounds.....

Maybe a smaller chainring on the front will help with the hills. Depending on which Hardrock you purchased, your smallest chainring could be 26 tooth, where a 22 tooth will give you lower gearing.

Weight reduction can be costly, but try the tires first.

Tires-
Going from your 2.1" to something like a 1.5" will make a world of difference.
The weight reduction makes accelerating & climbing much easier. Ditto for getting rid of the knobbies.Too much rolling resistance.
Keep in mind that a smaller dia. tire will also gear you down some.

IF you don't need all those low gears, a different cassette may give you more "usable" gears where you really need them.

I found that Hardrocks were very front-heavy. Does your model have a slab of Al for the stem witth heavy forks?

To answer the question about the front of my bike, I have the RST Gilla Plus T6, which I was told was heavier. But when I went looking online for the weight of this piece, according to RST it weighed a little over 2 1/2 lbs. I'm not sure if I was reading the right information or if the information was inaccurate, but it made me start to wonder. The stem is mobius alloy, what ever that means - but it's bigger than the one on the new model. The handle bars are also some sort of alloy. When I called Specialized, they also told me the wheel set was a heavier one too. Compared to the Rockhopper, it's between 2 to 3 lbs heavier, at least from the way it feels when I pick it up.

Hardrock Lighter??

Okay..................



First you need to get a thin rope, some propane, a striking wheel for spark, some huge flints and.........................oh, wait.....

That IS a heavy bike--I used to have one, and my wife and adult daughter still do. The question is, how much money are you willing to put into it for a pretty small gain? Sticking carbon fiber or titanium components on it will lighten the package, but you can spend a lot of money and it's still going to weigh quite a bit. Lighter tires will be noticeable on the road if that's where you ride it most, but they'll hurt the offroad performance if you use it that way (if not, you should have bought a road bike to start with). If I were you, I'd ride it as it is, get in shape and save my money for a better bike in a year or so. You can make SOME difference in it, but you can't make it something it isn't.

save your money for a new bike

My wife bought one of the new Specialized Hardrocks herself. Honestly, it's a great bike. Good for commuting, can carry heavy loads, and good components for what she's doing. It should last her a life time.

However, she needs to take the subways. Which requires carrying a bike down the stairs... reason #1 I commute by single speed. She's 5'1" and tiny. Carrying this monstrosity of a bike is impossible... for 95% of all humans. Specialized may as well make them out of lead.

Last week, I bought her a Specialized Dolce' (I have a pretty kickass Specialized connection). It's light, zippy, and looks fun to upgrade over time. So that's her commuter and the Hardrock will be the grocery getter.

Basically, V1k1ng is right.

You funny!

Darn...you beat me to it!

+1

That's a common mistake made by many cyclists, beginner and experienced. They only have so much money in the budget. Then they a decent bike albeit heavy and spend more money fixing it than it's worth. Take v1k1ng1001's advice and save for a new lighter and more expensive bike. Good luck

Tim

My wife is riding an old mid 1990's all steel Hardrock. Bettcha your's is lighter than hers.

Tim

There is no economical way to make any bike lighter.....

If you look at it from a cost per pound perspective I'll betcha lighter bikes are more $$$ per pound.