Hi,

I am kinda a newbie in mountain bike and am looking around to find an entry-level mtb. I found today a
03 hardrock comp in black color, selling at around $350. Is it a good deal? Ok to buy a model two years ago?

Thanks for your advices
wil.

No it isnt. Thats how much an 05 goes for. Ive even seen them as low as $299 which is what I paid for my 03 back in 03.

The '03 isn't a bad bike at all for a beginner. I would'nt pay any more than $200 for one new and never used if I were. $150 is the limit I'd set for a pristine condition used bike, even with upgrades.

If you're willing to spend the $350, then just buy a new '05.

But the saleman said 03 was originally priced at 420 so it is now the same price as the 05 hardrock sport but you get better components etc!?

We have '03 Hardrocks (just the plain Hardrock) for 259.99 right now, so it might not be a great deal... it doesn't look like components were all that great.

better components....? HA!

The '03 and '05 are nearly identically spec'd. The main differences are the rear derailleur and the fork. The '03 has one step up in component group for the rear derailleur (not a big deal), and the '05 has a longer travel fork.

Get an '05, or get a better deal on the '03.

I see. Thanks for you folks' advices. I guess I will go for the 05 then, just donno if they got the black color.

Just got back from the bike shop, but the shop doesn't have the 05 hardrock in black. They said probably Specialized may not even actually sell the black frame although it is found in the catalog. I really hate the other two colors (yellow and silver) that are available for 05. (OK, I know, I shouldn't take color a prime factor, but I couldn't ignore this all together either. It does carry some weight in my choice! =P )

So that make me think it over again. The 03 hardrock (the frame is in black and looks good) is the higher version hardrock comp instead of hardrock sport for 05. Though, I trust you guys' advices. Then I look at other Specialized, but then the next higher model available there will be rockhopper, which is around $500+ (still yellow!)

I also try to widen my choices by looking at those comfort bikes too. Honestly, I really don't think i will be going for some real hard trails, at least not in foreseeable future. And that mtb seems to be tough, durable and more comfortable (with better shock absorption and wider tires). I found a specialized sirrus (the basic one at around $520) and after trying that, i think i really love it. It's after trying this one that I understand what the other said "faster, lighter and very responsive", although it's less comfortable actually. This, however, seems a bit too expensive to me, and I am still struggling the big jump from $350 to $520! Another one seems good is the Trek 7200 Fx, but they don't have the right size for me, so I can't have a test ride. But it's much closer to my budget, and it seems to be very similar to sirrus.

How do you people think? Should I just settle with the 03 hardrock? Or try convince myself for the sirrus? Or try to order Trek 7200 Fx? Anyone has experience with 7200 Fx?

Thanks for any comments and advices!

wil.

Dude! Go to a different bike store that sells the 2005 specialized hardrock sport.....IN BLACK! They do sell it in black cause I got one a month ago. I too didn't like the yellow or silver. I don't know what that guy at that bike shop was talking about.
Don't buy what you don't like!
Find another bike shop that can get the one in black.

Hi StalkerZERO,

How's your hardrock? You happy with it?

wil.

I agree with the previous poster. Buy a black bike from a shop that has it. I've had a black '05 since the first week of April. I know that Specialized makes it.

I dont think you went to an authorized S dealer. If they tell you that "they may not even actually" sell the black frame then they are smoking crack. Go to another store, youll find a black one.

You are going to regret shelling out $350.00 for an '03 bike. It sounds like you're dealing with a dishonest bike shop, preying on your lack of knowledge.

First post, but hey we gotta start somewhere!

I just picked up a Specialized '05 Hardrock Sport (in silver) and I like it alot. It seems like a good "starter" bike. I did alot of reviewing entry level bikes, and in this price range it was between the Trek 3900, Trek 4300, and the Hardrock. I went with the Hardrock because it had similar reviews as the 4300 and I liked the way this particular LBS took care of me and all my questions.
In the past week I have put a hard 30-40 miles on it, had a couple of small crashes, and the bike has held up well, and has been a pleasure to ride.

Hope this helps!

Justin

I've been riding my '05 Hardrock Sport for 3 months now and it's held up well. I really like the feel of it and overall, great bike, the only weakness is the fork, but it's not too bad. If I was back in time choosing for a bike costing around 425 euros, I'd get the Hardrock again. Awesome bike.

I'm curious where you can find a Hardrock COMP for $350 let alone $299. The only decent sized LBS in my area sells them for $499.95 and I'm not entirely sure what year that one was. The Hardrock sport disc runs $439.99. Even the non disc Hardrock sport runs $350. If there's a shop that's selling 05 Hardrock Comps for $350 let me know as I'll buy one right now. I think you guys are getting the different Hardrock models mixed up. Both in price and in colors. Here's what's available for 05 taken directly from their website .

Hardrock Pro Disc MSRP $700 Black or Blue Flame
Hardrock Comp Disc MSRP $550 Red Flame or Silver
Hardrock Sport Disc MSRP $440 Silver Flame or Blue or Green
Hardrock Sport MSRP $350 Yellow or Silver or Satin Black
Hardrock Spot Womens $350 Blue or Violet Flame
Hardrock Single Speed $550 Blue

Are you smoking crack, why dont you read the title of the thread before posting. "-->03<-- specialized hardrock comp ok?"

Not sure what your problem is but, no, I'm not smoking crack. I'm well aware the title of the thread was in regards to an 03. But unlike you, apparently, I read the entire thread. In several posts, including one I quoted and also another longer one by the original poster, the 05 Hardrocks were discussed as well. I happened to be researching this same thing only yesterday and was at the bike shop and figured I'd share the information. Lay off the insults dude and take your own advice "Read before posting"

The 05 hardrock comp is not mentioned once.

Yes it is. Fifth sentence here: https://www.bikeforums.net/showpost.p...8&postcount=17

Dont be disrespectful and learn how to read each reply verbatim.

Dodger, I did mix up the models. I didnt get the Comp for $299, I got the base model which is right below the comp for $299.

I'm talking to that guy, he is saying that it was mentioned before his post. Which it was not.

Are you dense or do you just not read properly. I see 05 in at least five of the replies.

Before this turns out to be a all out flame war, I think PRG was saying "in the post right behind Dodgers" in which there is not, but there are 5 at least just like troie said.

Darn, I was hoping you did know of a comp for that cheap. I'm in the market for a new cheap bike. I just got rid of my 9 year old K2 C50 and need a new one.


Look holmes, I'm not going to start a flame war with you. You were wrong, you don't want to back down. You're still young so I understand that. But I'll point it out again and explain it just do you understand where I was coming from. In the very first post in the thread xwilx said that he was looking at an 03 hardrock comp for $350 and asking if it was a good deal. Follow me so far? Good, here's where it gets "tricky" and where you went astray. In the very next post, the second in the thread, troie answers xwilx's question of "Is it a good deal?" with "No it isnt. Thats how much an 05 goes for. Ive even seen them as low as $299 which is what I paid for my 03 back in 03." That implies that "No, $35- is not a good deal for an 03 Hardrock COMP as that is how much an 05 Hardrock COMP should go for...." After all is said and done I believe troie just didn't see the "comp" part in the original post and just saw hardrock.

So now you know where I'm coming from. Thanks for making me feel so welcome to the board. You should be proud.