swifferman

May I help you?

zx108

i would get the hardrock, seems like a better deal.

and upgrade the fork a little down the line.

Dannihilator

The 2006 hardrocks look more toned down than previous years. I'd go for the blast.

Siu Blue Wind

It seems that the 06 Blast, Cinder Cone and Caldera have been re-designed for 06 with the "clump" style square tubing used in their tougher line (Hoss, Cowan, Stuff, etc.). I understand that the frame is actually heavier than last years. To compensate for the new design yet keep the price close to last years', the components on said bikes are down a notch. For example, the 06 Caldera has the same (or very similar) set up as the Cinder Cone of 05. The 06 Cinder Cone has the same set up as the Blast of the past (05), etc. Pricing wise, the 06 Cinder Cone is $699, while the 05 Cinder Cone is on sale for $749, (reg. $850). The Cinder Cone of 06 is priced so low because it is equal to a Blast from the past ($629).

I only know this because I have just spoken to the Kona dealer yesterday, and was asking a whole bunch of questions! (Out of curiosity, was wanting to see a new one in person)

[bEn]

I agree. When looking at those frames, the Kona looks like the stronger bike. Also the blast has some better parts then the sport.

blue_neon

I'm probalby favouring the Blast since the HardRock is the sport disk not the comp disk. Also there is the difference in price and the Blast has some nicer parts on it aswell. No desision will be made untill I test ride 'em both though!

Thanks for the replies!

harov3

Iv'e always found Specialised to be less bike for more money, but that may be just how their positioned in the market over here (Aussie aussie aussie,oi oi oi) afterall we are not a big market for any of the higher end manufacturers. That said I nailed my colours to the mast and put a deposit on an 06 Hoss deluxe today because I liked the look and feel of Kona product generally and the Hoss deluxe in particular. The blast frame looks fine to me. What you said about not needing to upgrade the blast is relevant, upgrades always cost lots more than just buying the bike you want/need in the first place which is why I chose the deluxe over the standard Hoss.

blue_neon

Yeh thats also what i've been 'assesing'. Sport would need an upgrade, and it would cost a lot more in the end then the Blast, which I wouldn't really think I would need to upgrades as soon.

andywithglasses

I just bought a '06 Hardrock Sport and I'm already in love with it. I did my first day of serious trailriding with the bike yesterday and it handles very well.

The frame on the bike is a classic Specialized sturdy frame. One of my best friends here at school has an '05 HardRock and the frames are very similar. Mine might be a tid bit lighter, but nothing to tkae note of.

I have the tires and wheels that came standard and they work like a charm. I was climbing some steep hills back in the woods near our campus and they didn't slip a bit.

Brakes on the bike work well. Addmitingly, they aren't up to par with disc brakes or anything, but I put them to the test on our 'deadmans curve' [Winona Lake] and they worked beautifully. The guy that was out with me rides a Trek 8000 and my Specialized brakes were really leaving him behind...if that's possible.

Shifting from one gear to the next is fast and silent. When I purchased my bike, I also grabbed a LizardSkin for my rear right bar...makes it almost silent back there when I shift gears and saves on my bike. Well worth the eight dollars at my LBS.

The only thing I have found to be difficult is the shifters. To shift both up and down, you push the levers. I thought this was incrediebly difficult to do when just street riding [around campus, etc.] but once I got on the trails I realized that they were perfect. They work so nautural when I am trailriding, I consider them to be a complete plus.

Hope this is a help. I 110% reccommend the '06 Hardrock sport.

wvxc

Just reserved the next 06 Hardrock Sport to come to my LBS. They had one that was sold but they let me try it out. The 18 fit me perfect. They LBS guy said he would dial it in when I get to pick mine up. Brakes aren't disc but they aren't bad either. The wife is going to take my old one, but seeing how she doesn't ride much I guess I have two now. They had a 05 at a good price but the 06 is a better bike. The sram shifter will take some getting used to (push to shift up, push to shift down) and the fork will have to go, but it isn't all that bad in itself. I'll upgrade with time but I'm not really pressed on it as the bike didn't seem that bad. I must say for another 150 they had a hell of a nice Cannondale hardtail that was lite as a feather.....model 600 maybe?

ChroMo2

-------------KONA definately.................

hooligan

PROs AND CONS!!

I'll be blunt. The hardrock is a decent frame made to look and be strong and all, but it's geometry is in between XC and FR. The discs on it are not good, youre better off getting the V version of the hardrock and upgrading.


The BLAST is amazing. I was told it took DJs fine for my weight (125lb) and it accelerates pretty quickly. Honestly, kona is known to overbuild their bikes. I saw a guy take a 4 foot drop using a Lana'i and not bust anything, stock. Jebus. It is more of an XC machine, but you'll be fine lightly DJing it. The hardrock will take all this, but the blast will get you riding around faster and probably enjoying mountain biking more. I loved the blast, almost bought it but I decided to go for the scrap just for the burly factor.

I'd go for the blast over the hardrock, ANYDAY.

I know the hardrock is good, but overall, the BLAST has a better weight, better brakes (I tuned mine for half an hour, well worth it. They outperformed my friend's avids for street riding (endos nose manuals, etc etc). Honestly, I can say that the Blast has better value and overall, will keep you from upgrading as much.

Hardrocks are nice, but....I think they are too high. Konas seem to be built lower.

blue_neon

I might add, the Sport Disk is $230 cheaper then the Blast!

[bEn]

Remember. When you are about to buy the bike you want. Always pay cash. They'll say $50 off, but haggle with them and make it $100. I did it with my bike

andywithglasses

I paid 330 for my '06 Hardrock Sport, brand new from my LBS. PLUS they gave me a $100 trade in on my Bianchi Osprey (WOW!)

harov3

Yeah and the Kona Hoss is AU500$ cheaper (at my lbs anyway) than the Hoss deluxe, but I couldn't do the upgrades between the two for anything like that. And to take my Haro v3 to that level, sheeesh!, better off buying the bike you wanted in the first place.

blue_neon

Then again looking at the specs as to what would needed to be upgraded...

RST Gilla 100mm for the Sport Disk, as apposed to Marzocchi Mx-3 100mm for the Blast. Sport Disk's brakes are 'Tektro IO' (?), Blast's are Hayes MX-2. Finally deraliures on Sport Disk, SRAM SX-4, as apposed to the Shimano Acera on the Blast's...

All comes down to how much better are the parts on the Blast then on the Sport Disk...and is it worth the upgrade?

the wonginator

well considering that the sx-4 is a new sram model, and that the 05 model also sports aceras, i dont think there's much of a difference except for a better fork, and SLIGHTLY <==emphasized better brakes on the blast.

harov3

The marzocchi is low end but has damping, rubber block damping but damping anyway.
The rst does not last time I looked. You know I think youve overlooked alternatives by focusing on these two, Theres a Kona Hoss at my LBS for AU$1000 and a Giant Alias should be around the AU$900-$1000 mark too. The Alias in particular is much better specced than either the Specialized or the Kona and you may also want to look at Haro bikes.

harov3

Here, follow the yellow brick road

blue_neon

Havn't looked into the Alias, will do though when i've got some spare time and I'll get a price quote on the Alias my LBS. Alias could be another option...

[bEn]

The Alias retails at $999AUD at Goldcross. I don't think they'll get any cheaper until next year sometime.

fubar5

To me this is a no brainer. What the kona may lack in bang for the buck it makes up in style.

blue_neon

Just rang up the shop that sells both 06' Sport Disk and 06' Blast, and the guy said the Blast wouldn't hold up to much of a beating as in drops and jumps, espercially the fork on it. Also complemented Sport Disks front deraillure. I will be going down there this week to ask some questions, i've been hearing mixed story's all over the place!

leggatt

I have an '05 Fire Mountain and it can take a beating. I am sure that the Blast can too.