Has anyone tried the 2009 models yet?

It's claimed to be lighter on Specialized's website...

It could well be possible. It seems Specialized has departed from the traditional formula of making the Hardrock heavy but tough. The front wheel on the Sport model looks like radial lacing, and tires are thinner and with less agressive treads across the board.

I think lighter is plausible, but is it desireable?

So it might be not be strong as before...but you'll never know till you ride one!!

My LBS has a whole bunch of Specialized coming in late November, maybe they'll have the 2009 models, and I'll test it out!!

BenLi, do you ride a Hardrock?

Yeah, I was looking at their site and it looks like they are marketing it more as a bomb around town bike.

The 2009 HR frame is (acording to the owner of my LBS about 2 pounds lighter than last years model. The P.All Mountain frame is closer to the burly Hardrock of previous years. I also dropped weight buy swapping out the fork.

I've had mine for a couple of months now......

Yes. It's held up for me decently. The components are beginning to fail though.

mtnbiker66,

do you think the Hardrock would be a good second bike to buy? (especially the frame, to upgrade)

rite now i have a Trek 3900, and i wanted to upgrade some components, but my LBS said it wasn't worth. getting a new bike would be better...

and you upgraded your fork...does it hold up well for the more hardcore stuff?

the 3900 - 4300 seems about the same as the hardrock to me.. I'm not a jumper.. I'd get a rockhopper if I was going specialized.. if your wanting a jump bike there may be some better choices than a hardrock with stock components as you'll want to upgrade the hard rock as soon as you get it.

Thats the reason I got one. I wanted something to ride around on some smoother trails and just play around on. That fork held up great for a long time and took a lot of abuse, no complaints there.

thanks for the replies everyone...

specialized sucks.

LOL! Somethings never change.