By entry-mid level I mean bikes from 300$ to 650-750$, I´m really set on a Rockhopper (and I´m not changing my mind because of this) but my friends were like ¨Don´t buy that, Specialized is not that good... buy a Trek instead as Trek on the other hand is the best¨, I was skeptical about this so I thought I´d know for sure asking here, well, who makes the better bikes at this price point? They were all like Specialized is only good at the high end, the Hardrock and Rockhopper are terrible while they were all praising their 3900s, 4500s, 4900s and 6500s Trek. Basically, I´m fed up with Trek so I want something different but in the end, I just want whatever gives me most bang for the buck so this is why I´m asking.

Comparing the Rockhopper to the similarly priced Trek 4500 component per component and based on riding experience I think the Rockhopper crushes the Trek 4500 but still.

Uh oh. Here it comes..................

First, good luck getting a straight answer on here. I'll give you my bs now, I just don't like trek, so buy the specialized.

There's basically no difference, your friends are just brand biased. Get whatever you want and whatever feels more comfortable. Obviously you like the Rockhopper better, so who cares what your friends say.

Personally I'm not a big Trek fan even though they do make nice bikes. I think that at the price range you are talking about all bikes are pretty equal including Giant, Trek, Cannondale, Specialized, KHS, Kona, etc. It is all a matter of what you like.

Well this is certainly a timely thread for yours truly. I finally decided the best way to get back into cycling was to get an inexpensive hardtail and some semi-slick tires and get after it. My LBS doesn't carry Specilized and all I've been reading on here lately is how Treks suck and Hardrocks rule, yada yada yada, so I was wondering if I was screwing up going with a 3700 or 4300 or some such. I think now I'm finally at peace. Now I just need a few hundred bucks.

mybe a 05 stumpy? or a higher end 05 rockhopper. but i doubt that they have many, if any at all left.

honestly. they both make good bikes. and at the 600 or so range i would go with that feels the best.

Yeah that's what I thought, all my friends have Treks (ALL of them, one has a Giant STP3, another an STP2 and another a KHS Alite 1000 but the rest, Trek 3900, 4300, 4500, 4900, 6500, Elite 9.8) and they are great and all but I kinda want a bike of my own but still, from a technical standpoint, I still like the RH better anyways, now all I need is to find a decently priced Rockhopper somewhere.

It really depends what you're using it for. The trek entry level bikes are meant for XC and adventure. The Specialized Hardrocks are more of an all round bike that can be used for street and dirt jumping if setup correctly. I would say Specialized makes better entry level bikes, even though I'm a trekkie.

Where do you live, and what kind of riding are you doing?

lol erhum

Hey jag, tell him about the Konas..................

and it does, too rightly as well! no offence but i think your mates are trying to con you, over all ALL specialized bikes are class! i was going to buy one my self but prefered a kona! there is a massive rockhopper fan club here, loads of people have them, and to be honest i dont blame them!!

go with witch bike YOU want not your mates!

and where u want me to start! theres toooooo much ive had it 1month and its jus god! no problems with it and its sooo much better than i could of hoped for!

Kona Coffee?

erm.. i dont get it?

: I thought this would turn into more than it has.I really like specialized but I'm sure Trek makes a good bike as well. If you really want a great bike then you need to buy a Santa Cruz.........

Or an Ellsworth.............

Don't worry, jag. Notice, he's laughing by himself.

erm guys i THINK there just a tad out of his price range... 300$ to 650-750$

You know, that money is always a problem!

yeh always is! money money money, if only in our world!

Oops! Sorry I always dream big...........












(Moots Moots Moots)

yeh i deffinatly think that a Ti bike is out of this guys price range! ... as well of lots of others * looks in wallet and a fly flys out*

Nooo...........that's MY dream. Silly. And it's out of my price range, too. That's why it's only a dream.........

And where has your wallet been? Ewww.

to be honest, i dont really know i left it at work the other night though!