There are some differences in the frame specs that will become apparent when you TEST RIDE them. Neither fork is set for your weight out of the box you'll want a spring upgrade

I race a rockhopper and it does great.I reccomend it.

From reading the previous pages it seems most on here perfer the Specialized Hardrocks. As someone new to mtb was curious why it stands out? I am looking at Kona bikes in this price range, Lana'i, Hahanna, and Fire Mountain, as well as Hardrocks.

Not to many reports or opinions on Konas.
Or they comparable to Hardrocks?
Do the components match up or at least come close overall?

Riding both in the LBS parking lot I could not really tell that much of a diffrence, but I'm sure each bike will handle differently on the trails- any comments?.The bike will be ridden on muddy trails with some decent climbs for South Louisiana. I do fell like I will get better service from the Kona dealer than the Specialized dealer.

Yes what about the rockhoppers? How do they compare to the hardrock sports? Is it the frame or maybe the components?

The Rockhoppers are (as you would imagine) a bit lighter in the frame a bit better component wise but are more directed at the XC/ Trailriding crowd as opposed to the Aggro Trailride / low level freeride

I have test ridden them both, I can't tell much of a difference between the two, so I'm basically asking which would be the best bike for my money? Also, about how much would a sufficient spring upgrade cost if I won't be doing any jumps possibly 20 inch drops.

I guess my budget is alittle higher than stated in the title, its between 1k-2k... Ive talked to some friends and they've recommened cannondale, after doing some research ive come to the decision of the cannondale prophet 600 priced at $1599. any thoughts??? My riding is mostly going to be light trail with the occasional hardcore trail days.

Thanks in advance.

CHris.

Then your post doesn't belong in this thread now does it? Especially when you're talking 200-400% above the topic. Go ask in the main section

Well since this thread is about finding a bike within a price range, i just thought it was worth a try... Instead of adding to the problem it would be nice to help out.

Chris.

I'm looking for a bike up to $350-400 for a friend. From what it looks like here, the Hardrock would be the choice to go with. But I also was looking at the Iron horse Warrior Sport and it has a better fork and it's cheaper. Am I missing something here? Is there something that should make me convince him that the Specialized is worth the extra cash? I'm thinking it would be the frame but I'll leave it to you to tell me.

https://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCBkM...keTab=techspec
A1 Premium Aluminum, DT/HT 3D box gusset, forged dropouts with reinforced disc mount and eyelets, replaceable forged alloy derailleur hanger, disc only, designed for 100mm travel fork
FORK RST Gilla T5, 100mm travel, preload adjust, 28.6mm Cr-Mo stanchion and 1-1/8” steerer, coil/MCU spring
HEADSET 1 1/8” threadless, sealed loose ball, alloy cap
STEM Specialized Mobius, alloy, 10 degree rise
HANDLEBARS Alloy, 38mm rise, 9 degree sweep
TAPE / GRIPS Specialized double density Kraton
FRONT BRAKE Tektro “V”, linear spring, stainless steel pipe
REAR BRAKE Tektro “V”, linear spring, stainless steel pipe
BRAKE LEVERS Shimano Altus
FRONT DERAILLEUR Shimano Acera, 31.8mm clamp, bottom pull
REAR DERAILLEUR Shimano Acera
SHIFT LEVERS Shimano Altus
CASSETTE Shimano Altus
CHAIN Shimano IG-31
CRANKSET Truvativ X-Flow, alloy, capless bolts
CHAINRINGS 42t Cr-Mo x 32t heat-treated Cr-Mo x 22t heat-treated Cr-Mo
BOTTOM BRACKET Truvativ, 68x113mm, square taper, sealed cartridge bearing with drive and static side crank stops
PEDALS Dual sided, composite body, steel cage, toe clip compatible
RIMS Alex DH-20, 26"x1.5", double wall, machined side wall, black
FRONT HUB Joy-Tech, 36 hole, ground race double sealed loose ball with alloy QR
REAR HUB Joy-Tech, freehub, 36 hole, ground race double sealed loose ball with alloy QR
SPOKES 2.0mm (14g) stainless steel, brass nipples, L267/R267mm front, L266/R264mm rear
FRONT TIRE Specialized Enduro Sport, 26"x2.2", wire bead
REAR TIRE Specialized Enduro Sport, 26"x2.2", wire bead
TUBES Specialized schraeder valve


iron Horse Warrior
https://www.performancebike.com/shop/...egory_ID=3050#

# FRAME: 6061 aluminum
# FORK: Marzocchi MZ Comp 105mm
# HANDLEBAR: 30mm rise/31.8 clamp
# STEM: 10 degree/ Alloy
# HEADSET: Zero Stack Threadless
# BB: ISIS®
# CRANK: TruVativ® X Flow
# PEDAL: Alloy Platform
# CHAIN: KMC Z-72
# SEAT: WTB® Pure V Comp
# SEATPOST: Alloy Micro Adjust
# F. HUB: Alloy QR/32H
# R. HUB: Shimano® ALLOY QR 32H
# F. DER: Shimano® FD-C050
# R. DER: Shimano® Acera®
# SHIFTER: Shimano® EF-35
# CASSETTE: Shimano®, 8spd
# BRAKES: Tektro® Linear Pull
# RIM: WTB® Speedmaster 32H
# SPOKE: 14G stainless black
# TIRES: WTB® Motoraptor 2.1


Thanks


I'm actually also going to have to look for a bike soon myself as mine was stolen

I was preventing a problem newb. Namely you taking this thread off topic.
Have a nice day

It may have a nicer fork, but the rest is sub-par

Why start a new thread when my question could possibly be answered in this section. If you arent part of the solution you are part of the problem. If you cant answer for me with some sort of objective reasoning behind it, please dont bother to reply to this.

Looking for some help.
I'm in the market for a new bike in the "around" $500 range. It will be used 70% of the time to get me to and from work, and 30% of the time riding midwest trails with friends. I've been looking at several bikes and have narrowed it down to three.

'05 Specialized Hardrock Pro disc. - $570
'04 Marin Wildcat Trail - $560
'05 Ironhorse Warrior Comp - $500

I've test rode all the bikes, and the Ironhorse is a distant 3rd as a result. The Hardrock, and the Wildcat both "fit" real well. Any advice between these two bikes?

Because it's my thread Sparky.
The topic is "around $500" not "around $2000" Now quit disrupting the thread

picked this up for $550, marked down from $819 because its last years model... did i get a good deal? https://www.tooya.jp/main/04'schwinn%20rocket%202.html
it also sports the same frame as their 2005 $1800 full suspension bike, so i figure it should be a decent platform to build on.

When I test rode Raleighs, it seemed like they had shifting problems. It wasn't smooth. It went WACK whenever it shifted. I've read they had problems with frame mis-alignment.

What about the scott usa bikes? The montana and vecora is around that price range.

yeah their really nice we have a few at my house and my realtives ride them

Nevermind

I just bought the '05 4500 disc model, 600 bucks. The non-disc was 500. WTB Disc's on it though, and WTB Rims. Not bad. 4500 has shimano components. The 4600 is identical except it has SRAM components. For some reason, the 4600 has not made an appearance on the trek site.

Anyone know the stem length on the Rockhopper?
Cheers

Well so much for just being a lurker. Just jumped in to the fray and bought me a bike. Iron Horse Maverick SE for 449 at the local Performance. Looks like a good set of components for the price, what do you think?

FRAME: 6061 aluminum
FORK: Manitou Splice Elite 100mm
HANDLEBAR: Alloy Low Rise /31.8 clamp
STEM: TruVativ® XR 5 degree
HEADSET: Zero Stack Threadless
BB: TruVativ® Powerspline
CRANK: TruVativ® ISO Flow
RINGS: 44/32/22T
PEDAL: Alloy Platform
CHAIN: Shimano® HG-73
SEAT: WTB® Rocket V Comp
SEATPOST: Alloy Micro Adjust
F. HUB: Alloy QR/32H
R. HUB: Shimano® ALLOY QR 32H
F. DER: Shimano® Deore
R. DER: SRAM® X.7
SHIFTER: SRAM® X.7 Trigger
CASSETTE: SRAM PG-950, 9spd 11-32t
BRAKES: Hayes® MX-2 mechanical w/ 6" rotor
BRAKE LEVER: Avid® FR-5
RIM: WTB® Speed Disc 32H
SPOKE: 14G stainless black
TIRES: IRC® Mythos 2.1

Looking in to getting on some of the local trails and also commuting back and forth to work. If I really get in to this, then I will upgrade.
But would love to hear what you think of the purchase? Did I get my money's worth??

It's par for the price. I'd ditch those Hayes MX2's for a set of Avid BB7's as the MX2's are one of the sorriest excuses for a mecahnical disc brake since ProMax

OK, I read through all (most!) of this thread, and I don't think I saw an answer to this. I'm looking at the Speciazed Rockhopper and the Trek 4500, both 2005 models and neither with disc brakes.

But there's the rub: disc brakes. Last winter i discovered rim brakes can really suck in the snow and freezing rain. So I'd love to have at least a disc brake on the front wheel.

Question: Can I upgrade the front brake on those two bikes later? What would that entail changing, and about how much would that cost?

(By the way, I do have to applaud everyone for not letting this big thread get sucked down into some useless flamewar, which is kind of what I expected before reading it. . .)