So, I've been looking at several bikes in my LBS and concluded that if when I'd be getting a new bike, I'd get the Specialized Hardrock Sport. When I tried it in the shop it felt pretty good. I just have a question:
How good is the suspension? I want it to last me a long time, I'd be doing small, jumps, a few tricks, stairs, easy-medium trails. What are your thoughts on it?
Oh yeah, I saw a Rock Shox Judy TT in my LBS for 120 euros, what do you guys think?

Thanks,
-Drunken Chicken

There wont be much difference between the two forks, RST and Judys are about the same imo, I have the RST, and i like it quite a bit, it aint the best, it doesnt have loadsa gadgets and stuff, but it bounces, and i use my bike for exactly what your planning to use yours for, and it suits me fine!

Awesome. :P Thanks for the info :D

I have that bike also... in my opinion, the fork is a pain in the arse. If it gets dirt in it, it wont travel smoothly, and it takes almost nothing to get dirt inside. If it gets cold, it wont move at all. When it moves properly, it goes down and bounces back up really hard, complicating matters for landings.

Oh.. The travel adjustment does basically nothing.
Summary: After a while, it will become basically useless, making you wish for a rigid fork instead.

Is there any way to prevent dirt going in/and is there any way to clean it?

EDIT: Also, do you think my LBS would allow me to buy the Hardrock Sport but then change it to a Judy TT fork or something and only pay a tiny bit more? (considering they'd keep the brand new RST Gila Plus T5...

The RST Gila T5 is a Tiawanese entry into the low-middle range of suspension forks. The Judy TT is in the same catagory. Either fork will perform well, depending on your riding style.
Neither fork is designed for continual aggresive riding, they are designed to make a mid-line entry level mtb feel good down an intermidiate trail/dirt road.
They both offer a certain amount of adjustability, the RST has more "gadget" features and options, while the Judy is a little more straight forward. Both have optional soft/medium/hard spring options, but the kits are much easier to get for the Judy than the RST.
For the price, either fork is about equal in performance, however, the nod goes to the Judy as far as servicibility and availability of parts. RST products have traditionally been sort of a BIC lighter of forks-use until you break it, then get something else.
Ed

Thanks for the tips. I was thinking that when/IF I break the RST Gila Plus T5 then I could get the Judy TT for only 20 euros (since if I buy my bike at my LBS they give you 100 euros in repairs :D)

What would you reccomend as an entry level-intermediate level fork? (no exorbitant prices, mind you :D)

I quite like the MX Comp made by marzocchi, think they're really nice forks, but raiyns suggestion about the Duke is an option also :)

well to keep dirt out from the internals they use fork wiper seals, which i doubt the RST has of great quality. I would go for the judy if you want one of the two

The Marzocchi MX comp forks are getting REALLY affordable... $150-200 USD range. Check Ebay!

I'll go with Raiyn's idea here... Keep the RST on the bike and save for a nicer fork in the meantime... I'm sure the RST will last long enough to let you save for a decent fork.

Yeah, that's more or less what I was thinking. Even with the low income of money that I would still get time to save up. :D

I'm pretty sure it will. ;)

Just don't bash the crap out of it. Understand that it's an entry-level fork and you should be fine. I don't think it'll take you too long to figure out what you can do (light stuff, nothing major) and can't do (most everything else) on that fork. :p

:p Hehe, nah, I don't think it'll take too long to realise. I suppose I will start saving up from the day I get the bike (if I do, lol :S) and the first thing I'll get (once I possibly bust this fork) is a new one. ;)
What is better for light-medium trail riding, urban riding, down some stairs, a few foot jumps, wheelies, endos, etc., a high travel fork or a "low" travel fork (I put it in inverted commas cause for me it's a long travel fork, however I look at it :D)

Have you actually tried the fork? It isnt as crap as everyone thinks you know, ive done repeated 3 foot drops on mine with my hardrock and im 175lb... Fork is still fine, Ive ridden it very hard for close to 2 years now, and im only now considering buying a new fork at some point, as i feel like i need an upgrade, but the fork has done fine for me while im learning, and ive used it for pretty much everything :)

Sounds promising. :D

Looks like there aren't going to be any 5 ft drops for you :D

Yeah, well, for the while I'm not intending to. :p