Keep '07 Hardrock Sport or try for something better?
 

I just picked up a used but nearly unridden '07 Specialized Hardrock Sport (non-disc) wanting to try out MTB after years on road bikes. Spent $150

I have a small budget and this was the best deal to come up on CL, especially compared to all the other crap I've seen available.

I just can't seem to get over the fact the bike feels so heavy! I know it's bottom level, but better than some. Coming from road bikes MTB feel heavy so I have no real comparison.

Is this frame worth building on over time with better components? Or is it really a boat anchor?

Should I consider selling it, try to make some money on it and just look around for another, higher level bike? Obviously I'm starting on easy offroading and trails, no big air or downhill kamikazi runs for me.

1. What size is it? ( I may be interested :lol:)
2. The hardrock is perfect for getting your feet wet on the trail. Don't worry about the weight. Don't compare it to road cycling. Try to get past the fact that you're used to averaging 20+mph on the road. I average 7-10mph on the local climby trails and not much more than 13mph on the faster/swoopy ones. It's a different sport. Just take it out and enjoy the trail.


I usually have this to say about the Hardrock.

Buy a Specialized hardrock and ride the livin piss out of it. Pay attention to what you like most about riding mountain bikes...be it the scenery, the aggressive jumping/downhill, or the gut-busting/vomitous climbs. Later on down the road if you get "upgrade'itis", you will be able to get a bike that suits your favorite style of riding. For now, you're still wet behind the ears and don't know what the crap you like so the Specialized Hardrock will give you a small taste of everything. It won't really "shine" in any sort of snob-label type of riding like. (Downhill, Freeride, Cross Country, All Mountain, blah, bleh, blouh) It will however, let you discover the type of rider you are.

Yeah, that was the plan when I picked it up. I guess I'll just stick with the plan and be happy that I got a new bike for the price of the beat up turds everyone around here sells.

After messing with other bikes of mine for a while I didn't want to be frustrated upgrading components on a frame that was 10 lb heavier than the next level ones.

At least I don't have a "NEXT"...

Yep, put air in the tires, lube on the chain, and ride it like you stole it. I think you'll find that mountain biking is a blast. After you've ridden for a while you can decide whether you have the budget for something nicer and you'll have the knowledge to know what to look for to suit you best.

Welcome to the dark side!

Put my son in the trailer and rode 16 miles today on a bike trail, kept it easy and worked the kinks out of the shifting front and rear. Feels good, on the road of course but it shifts easy and I set up the fit a bit as well.

Platform pedals suck! Can't wait to get my pedals and shoes in.

When referring to "the bike trail"...are you speaking of some paved sidewalk for walkers and bikers, or are you talking about a "trail"?

I must know...I don't know why, but I must know.:D

Paved bike trail, my son's only 3 but would not be happy bouncing around behind me on a singletrack. ;)