Kona Blast vs HardRock
10-15-05, 03:02 PM
#51
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Originally Posted by 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)
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)
So I hit the LBS yesterday and purposely purchased an '05 Caldera for that very reason. Got a good price at 860 bucks, too.
Check out leftover '05 bikes. Prices are LOW and getting lower.
10-16-05, 05:21 PM
#52
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Originally Posted by 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!
10-16-05, 10:27 PM
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Originally Posted by swifferman
Well I'm pretty sure "the guy" is wrong. How and/or where do you see the '06 Blast not taking much of a beating? The Marzocchi on the Blast is a much better choice than the RST Gila. If the Marzocchi doesn't hold up to much of a beating, I'd hate to see how the RST does. Lastly, if you pick a bike based on the front derailleur, well, don't. They are pretty much the cheapest part around and the fact that he said (is it an Acera for '06?) an Acera is a good level of componentry makes me think he's lying.
11-02-05, 04:20 PM
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You guys are saying the hardrock sport has inferior parts and will require more/sooner replacements.
So I would like to know: how does the hardrock pro disk compare to the blast?
And if superior, how does it compare to the CinderCone?
pro disk specs
blast specs
cindercone
I can see the forks are the same, but I can't tell about the brakes etc...
So I would like to know: how does the hardrock pro disk compare to the blast?
And if superior, how does it compare to the CinderCone?
pro disk specs
blast specs
cindercone
I can see the forks are the same, but I can't tell about the brakes etc...
11-02-05, 06:22 PM
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Maybe "the guy" has a feeling that your more likely to upgrade the hardrock, and has a feeling that you will spend the money for the upgrades at his shop.
11-02-05, 11:45 PM
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Originally Posted by rayray74
Maybe "the guy" has a feeling that your more likely to upgrade the hardrock, and has a feeling that you will spend the money for the upgrades at his shop.
11-03-05, 12:19 AM
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BN - Mate i feel your pain when it comes to prices in Aus. Im an Aussie living in America so the low prices here are not lost on me at all.
I think ill be going with the Hardrock Comp Disc $600USD. The bikes on the specialized site atm, are they the '05 or the '06 models? All the pro Specialized talk around here does tend to get to you. Im going that way based on what everyone keeps saying about the Hardrock. The Comp Disc makes up for the component gap between the Blast and the Hardrock Sport I think, although im not as wise as some here.
Can all the pro-Specialized people on here be wrong?
I think ill be going with the Hardrock Comp Disc $600USD. The bikes on the specialized site atm, are they the '05 or the '06 models? All the pro Specialized talk around here does tend to get to you. Im going that way based on what everyone keeps saying about the Hardrock. The Comp Disc makes up for the component gap between the Blast and the Hardrock Sport I think, although im not as wise as some here.
Can all the pro-Specialized people on here be wrong?
11-03-05, 01:15 AM
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Planning on buying bike end of this year, will test ride bikes closer to the date obviously. I am some what eliminating the Hard Rock since they only have Sport Disk and thats the best one they sell of the series (only bike shop I can find who stock Spec.). I am considering Kona Blast or Giant Alias now, I am also preserving my 'bike money' account so I will have more money to spend on the bike when I buy it, since I am in no hurry for a new bike for the next few months. Probalby spend around the $900 - $1000 mark on the new bike so thats why the Alias and Blast are into consideration when the time comes.
11-03-05, 01:22 AM
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Originally Posted by Flak
BN - Mate i feel your pain when it comes to prices in Aus. Im an Aussie living in America so the low prices here are not lost on me at all.
11-26-05, 07:34 PM
#60
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All I can say is that I like my 04 Blast. It was a leftover when I got it, and I was frankly disappointed to see that the 06 had less capable components than the 04. Usually it goes the other way. Anyone that tells you an Acera shifts as slickly as a Deore LX is full of it. I'll grant you the fork is not exactly world-class, but neither is the price. The rest of the bike is not bad at all for the money. Get the LBS to swap out the stock tires for the ones you want before it leaves the showroom floor, you'll only pay the difference, if there is any.
My only complaint is the seat tube, mine is bent after about 1000 miles of commuting and some mild off-road use. I'm a fair sized specimen at 205 lbs, so it's not all the tube's fault. I did note that the wife's 4500 Trek seat tube is a lot beefier than the Kona, but I suspect a CF tube would cure the problem.
I tried quite a few different bikes before I decided on the Blast, and a Norco Storm was close, very close. I didn't like the RockShox on the Treks, the Suntours on the Giants were an abomination, the Marzocchi was the slickest, most compliant bottom end fork I found, bar none.
Best bang for my bucks was the Blast, at least the 04 version.
My only complaint is the seat tube, mine is bent after about 1000 miles of commuting and some mild off-road use. I'm a fair sized specimen at 205 lbs, so it's not all the tube's fault. I did note that the wife's 4500 Trek seat tube is a lot beefier than the Kona, but I suspect a CF tube would cure the problem.
I tried quite a few different bikes before I decided on the Blast, and a Norco Storm was close, very close. I didn't like the RockShox on the Treks, the Suntours on the Giants were an abomination, the Marzocchi was the slickest, most compliant bottom end fork I found, bar none.
Best bang for my bucks was the Blast, at least the 04 version.
11-26-05, 10:38 PM
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Well a new chapter in the chronicals of my bike hunt!
I wont be getting the HardRock Sport Disk. I am eyeing off the Giant Alias at the moment, although I have just gotten part-time work in a bike shop so I would be able to get a cheap bike ordered in for me there, and i'll build it up save a lot of money HOWEVER he only stocks Treks, Raceline's and Cannondals! I will see if he can get in any other brands but I doubt it.
I wont be getting the HardRock Sport Disk. I am eyeing off the Giant Alias at the moment, although I have just gotten part-time work in a bike shop so I would be able to get a cheap bike ordered in for me there, and i'll build it up save a lot of money HOWEVER he only stocks Treks, Raceline's and Cannondals! I will see if he can get in any other brands but I doubt it.
11-26-05, 11:21 PM
#62
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Originally Posted by DMN
Although I have nothing against the Blast, the Hardrock will stand up to more abuse IMO.
