slickmobster

i am only 13 and i am looking at the rockhopper for mountain biking,maybe some big hits and just ridin around. I have been looking for a while and i first was going with a hardtail but for the same price i could get this and i liked the comfort of this better. How is it on the trails or for smaller big hits(oxymoron). give me any feedback at all about the bike. How are the components just for a starter. I am looking to have this bike through highschool possibly with upgrades though.




help me

Maelstrom 

First of all let me say welcome to the forums and you sure explain yourself far better than any 13 year old I ever coached. Cheers.

Well slick I will give my standard answer. Get a ht. At your age you should learn how to ride smoothly and with skill. Full suspension bikes let you ride like crap. Some people ride fine on them but quite often they started on a ht. Later on when you have gotten better on a ht and can read lines and ride the bigger hits on a ht you will find a dually to be beautiful. You riding will be smoother and faster than your friends who started on duallies. Yes I am generalizing but this does happen fairly often. All of the best riders I know started with either a ht or a bmx.

If you really want a dually that from what I have heard that is as good as any. But really you can't match quality of bike price wise when comparing dually to ht. Hardtails always have better components than a matching price dually.

In order to make it last you might have to get it a bit big in order to let it grow into you. The frame should last but there are parts you may have to replace (especially since you want the bike for smaller big hits ). So you should expect to spend a few hundred dollars a year on maintenance.
Cheers.

fubar5

Being 13, you've got a loonng time. I wouldn't even say HT, I'd say get a rigid (Kona Scab bump bump) or a BMX bike and really hone your skills. Then get a FS or a HT.
Not to brag, but I started on a rigid bike and rode all sorts of trails, and did 3-4 ft drops. Now when I riding my HT, I can ride lines that my buddies hate, and I can plow through stuff that sends alot of other riders skidding into the trees. I currently building up a rigid SS to start riding on the trails so I can work on my skills some more.

slickmobster

My only choices right now are anyrocky mountains or specialized unless you know of any really good bikes for 500 dollars(i get a 1/3 discount at l.l. Beans) what would you reccomend for those brands. the most i could spend is 1000(before discount)



thanks for ur help

Maelstrom 

Lets talk specialized.

You do have several choices. The p-series is fantastic. Fun geometry to play on and very strong. The P1 is 440 msrp and the p2 is 600 msrp (according to site). The p1 is a single speed so you may want to avoid that but the p2 should be a tonne of fun for doing hits and such.

These bikes are made to directly compete with the north shore proven 4hun and roast / stuff ht's. But they are a lot cheap it seems. Well worth it if you want to ride trails OR do some dirtjumping.

Another ok bike is the Hardrock. I know a lot of them are rented by a shop aroud here and they look ok. But personally as a kid I would have preferred the p1 or p2 for some serious play...

Also look into a BMX. It is a good way to start. I am 27 and still play on one.

slickmobster

i was at the specialized site and i think i can do better than the p series so i was looking under big hits not expecting anything in my price range but i found one called "bighit" tell me whast u think of it.alot of travel on the suspension.

Maelstrom 

Generic front fork. Generic Shock (I think, I have never heard of it) Crappy drive train. Single pivot = old tech (still good for somethings but old). Rims blow (I had a set and let me tell you ). You will end up having to fix or replace things quickly. This will cost you quite a bit more than the 880 msrp. Especially if you do any tough riding.

Oh and it probably won't be a lot of run to pedal around either. Bob bob bob.

I must say though. This years specialized sure look a lot better than before. The dh frame sure is sweet to look at

fubar5

I wouldn't get the BigHit unless you pan on doing nothin BUT drops and going down. A Hardrock wouldn't be to bad, but I think a P2 would be the best.
Check the prices of the Rocky Mountian Grinds or Flows at your shop. They would be a good choice.

Maelstrom 

Hey Fubar. Flows are damn expensive. Last year they were in the 1900cdn range. ...
Grind I believe was on par though. I forgot all about those

slickmobster

i am looking at the grinf,fantik and rockhopper help me compare

Maelstrom 

First test ride and figure out which geometry you like. Each of those bikes is very different for riding style and purpose.

tFUnK

rockhoppers are fun to ride and just good enough to get into some "real" beginners mtn biking. hardrock isnt a bad choice and the geometry i think is more suited for freeriding(at least for me). i would suggest not getting a full suspension but starting out with a front suspension fork. its true that rigid fork is a good way to start but over time it's just a waste of money on a low-end bike. rockhopper a1fs comp i would recommend. friend has one and i love to ride it, but of course i dont know a thing about the other bikes you've listed