2007 Specialized HARDROCK SPORT Any Good?
Discussion
Can anyone comment on the following bike....
http://www.cyclesuk.com/ViewProduct.aspx.qmap/ptId...
Is it good value for money? Will be using the bike for on and off road - off road being forest tracks.
Is there anything else on the market for similar money? I have seen this one for £329....
Any thoughts much appreciated.
Thanks
Tom
http://www.cyclesuk.com/ViewProduct.aspx.qmap/ptId...
Is it good value for money? Will be using the bike for on and off road - off road being forest tracks.
Is there anything else on the market for similar money? I have seen this one for £329....
Any thoughts much appreciated.
Thanks
Tom
<thread hijack>
While we're at it...
I was looking at the Hardrock sport (V-Brakes version: http://www.evanscycles.com/product.jsp?style=70060... at 300 this looks pretty good for the money from what I can tell, but I'd be willing to spend up to about another 100 if there was something significantly better out there...
Any opinions?
The main reason for not going for disc brakes is that I'm not sure I'd see a benefit for the type of riding I do / cost to go hydraulic over cable / the amount of time I can spend maintaining them.
Thanks, CH
and sorry for the --> </thread hijack>
While we're at it...
I was looking at the Hardrock sport (V-Brakes version: http://www.evanscycles.com/product.jsp?style=70060... at 300 this looks pretty good for the money from what I can tell, but I'd be willing to spend up to about another 100 if there was something significantly better out there...
Any opinions?
The main reason for not going for disc brakes is that I'm not sure I'd see a benefit for the type of riding I do / cost to go hydraulic over cable / the amount of time I can spend maintaining them.
Thanks, CH
and sorry for the --> </thread hijack>
Dr Bob said:
<thread hijack>
While we're at it...
I was looking at the Hardrock sport (V-Brakes version: http://www.evanscycles.com/product.jsp?style=70060... at 300 this looks pretty good for the money from what I can tell, but I'd be willing to spend up to about another 100 if there was something significantly better out there...
Any opinions?
The main reason for not going for disc brakes is that I'm not sure I'd see a benefit for the type of riding I do / cost to go hydraulic over cable / the amount of time I can spend maintaining them.
Thanks, CH
and sorry for the --> </thread hijack>
The V Brake version has different suspension looking at it, does anyone know which is best? Or are they equal? The Hydraulic one can be had for £329 from another supplier www.dalescycles.com so not alot more expensive but agree with the maintenance issues....While we're at it...
I was looking at the Hardrock sport (V-Brakes version: http://www.evanscycles.com/product.jsp?style=70060... at 300 this looks pretty good for the money from what I can tell, but I'd be willing to spend up to about another 100 if there was something significantly better out there...
Any opinions?
The main reason for not going for disc brakes is that I'm not sure I'd see a benefit for the type of riding I do / cost to go hydraulic over cable / the amount of time I can spend maintaining them.
Thanks, CH
and sorry for the --> </thread hijack>
R1 GTR said:
Surely the shocks are different to house the disc mounts and maybe the Suntour ones dont have them?
Both 2007 models state the same Shocks (Maybe they have 2 versions of the same shocks - Disc or V Brakes)The 2008 has the Suntour Shocks which I haven't compared to the 2008 Disc barke version.
Do discs have much maintenance? In comparison to the V brake set up?
R1 GTR said:
Surely the shocks are different to house the disc mounts and maybe the Suntour ones dont have them?
Both 2007 models state the same Shocks (Maybe they have 2 versions of the same shocks - Disc or V Brakes)The 2008 has the Suntour Shocks which I haven't compared to the 2008 Disc barke version.
Do discs have much maintenance? In comparison to the V brake set up?
tjdixon911 said:
Do discs have much maintenance? In comparison to the V brake set up?
The simple answer is Yes. Disc brakes require more care and attention than V's as all disc pads are vunerable to oil contamination.The benifits of dics are;
more consitant braking in all conditions.
the pads wear first, the disc second, the wheel rim not at all.
you can make interesting burn patterns on your body with the discs after heavy braking.
Sintered brake pads last considerably longer than V brake pads.
The drawbacks of discs are;
easy contamination of the pads - they then need to be replaced.
Some systems are pita to set up.
Some systems are pita to bleed.
Some systems are pita to change the pads.
The benifits of V's are;
Easy to use.
Easy to maintain.
Easy to fix.
The drawbacks are;
The pads wear out quickly.
The pads wear through the wheel rim.
Inconsistant performance in different conditions.
Lots of effort needed to work them (compared to discs).
Realistically, if all you are planning on riding is forest tracks and tow paths then V brakes will be more than adequate.
Can't go wrong with the Hardcock. Good solid bike that will last ages.
mk1fan said:
Realistically, if all you are planning on riding is forest tracks and tow paths then V brakes will be more than adequate.
Yep, that's memk1fan said:
The benifits of V's are;
Easy to use.
Easy to maintain.
Easy to fix.
Easy, yes, I like the sound of thatEasy to use.
Easy to maintain.
Easy to fix.
mk1fan said:
Can't go wrong with the Hardcock. Good solid bike that will last ages.
Oh dear mk1fan, now I'm worried - I might even start to believe those other threads I read about you!So If I could get an Ex condition 2007 Hardrock sport for about 200, that would be a bargain, right?
CH
It's our little nickname for the baby Spesh.
£200 for a 2007 HC from a shop is a very good price. If it's from a friend and you know the history of the bike it's still a good price.
A friend of mine have the disc model that he uses as to tow his son's trailer with and hack about on in Winter. He also has an Ephifany and an M5 S-Works HT. He is more than happy with his HC.
£200 for a 2007 HC from a shop is a very good price. If it's from a friend and you know the history of the bike it's still a good price.
A friend of mine have the disc model that he uses as to tow his son's trailer with and hack about on in Winter. He also has an Ephifany and an M5 S-Works HT. He is more than happy with his HC.
Cheers mk1fan,
reading about, the only negs I can find with the h/c are that it might be a tad heavy, and the forks ain't the best... although I've had a couple of quick test rides, I can't say I've noticed any major problems... but saying that, I haven't had a chance to try it off road. Given that I pretty much do forest trails, and a bit of XC do you think that these weaknesses might show themselves up on a longer ride - or is it just something to consider an excuse to upgrade componenets in 12-18 months time???
(I know I'm asking a lot - I'm just trying to work out if the critics are only criticising it because their usual ride is a 3k beastie, or if it really is going to be hard to live with after a few rides).
CH
reading about, the only negs I can find with the h/c are that it might be a tad heavy, and the forks ain't the best... although I've had a couple of quick test rides, I can't say I've noticed any major problems... but saying that, I haven't had a chance to try it off road. Given that I pretty much do forest trails, and a bit of XC do you think that these weaknesses might show themselves up on a longer ride - or is it just something to consider an excuse to upgrade componenets in 12-18 months time???
(I know I'm asking a lot - I'm just trying to work out if the critics are only criticising it because their usual ride is a 3k beastie, or if it really is going to be hard to live with after a few rides).
CH
It is a heavy bike. But that is because it is solid and reliable. Although, MBR recently did some semi-scientific tests on the effect weight has on a bike. The long and the short of it was that you're better off losing a pound in weight than your bike.
The forks will be a compromise in relation to the price of the bike. They won't have many adjustments / setting to play with. If you are a heavy guy (say 13 stone plus) then you may find that the forks are working a lot and they will struggle if you start to do more adventurous riding. But if you start doing that then a better set of forks can be had for £200 which is cheaper than buying a whole new bike and the frame is worth it (just).
For tow paths and forest tracks the suspension should work fine, to be blunt you won't really need it. A well set up and riden rigid would be fine. The most important thing is that you are comfortable on the bike. It doesn't matter how much you spend if it don't fit right.
If you are buying from a shop (and this is one of the advantages of buying new from your LBS) you can negotiate a change of stem or bars (or both) to tailor the bike to your needs. Although, dare I say it, Bike Hut do nice stem and bars for under a £10 each.
Make sure you service the bike too. If you can't / don't want to do it then get your LBS to do it at least once a year.
The forks will be a compromise in relation to the price of the bike. They won't have many adjustments / setting to play with. If you are a heavy guy (say 13 stone plus) then you may find that the forks are working a lot and they will struggle if you start to do more adventurous riding. But if you start doing that then a better set of forks can be had for £200 which is cheaper than buying a whole new bike and the frame is worth it (just).
For tow paths and forest tracks the suspension should work fine, to be blunt you won't really need it. A well set up and riden rigid would be fine. The most important thing is that you are comfortable on the bike. It doesn't matter how much you spend if it don't fit right.
If you are buying from a shop (and this is one of the advantages of buying new from your LBS) you can negotiate a change of stem or bars (or both) to tailor the bike to your needs. Although, dare I say it, Bike Hut do nice stem and bars for under a £10 each.
Make sure you service the bike too. If you can't / don't want to do it then get your LBS to do it at least once a year.
Yeah, I've got a rigid at the moment (a 12yr old Marin Eldridge), which is fine, but I do like the 'trail' look of bikes like the h/c
To be honest, a lot of the motivation is just for a change - I bought the Marin 2nd hand not long ago while I decided if I was going to get back into riding, and now I've nearly convinced the wife to get a new bike, I can justify spending a bit more on myself!
CH
mk1fan said:
If you are a heavy guy (say 13 stone plus)...
ha ha, I'm about 14 1/2 stone, but I'm sure the riding I do won't stress the forks too much for now.To be honest, a lot of the motivation is just for a change - I bought the Marin 2nd hand not long ago while I decided if I was going to get back into riding, and now I've nearly convinced the wife to get a new bike, I can justify spending a bit more on myself!
CH
I have an '07 Hardrock Sport Disc and it's great so far. The only 'problem' I found was the steering to be a little too 'pointy' for my liking so ended up changing the original 60mm stem for a Thomson 90mm one which I ordered from the USA. It's still pretty direct but more stable on roads and trails.
I have a few more upgrade plans in the pipeline, mainly to trim a little weight - new Thomson seat post, new tyres more suited to the riding I do and a bit lighter and maybe a new, better front shock. I think the standard weight for the bike is 32lbs so if I can get it down into the high 20's on a reasonable budget I'll be happy.
I have a few more upgrade plans in the pipeline, mainly to trim a little weight - new Thomson seat post, new tyres more suited to the riding I do and a bit lighter and maybe a new, better front shock. I think the standard weight for the bike is 32lbs so if I can get it down into the high 20's on a reasonable budget I'll be happy.
Just to provide some more first hand info on a Spesh HC Sport Disc. My friend brought his HC along with him on our recent Morzine trip (his wife had said she wanted to do some riding too).
Our Guide's bike is a very nice 222 but unfortunately his forks imploded on the Sunday which left him bikeless on the Monday. A quick change of front tyre (to a 2.7!!), a couple of fork adjustments, a swap of pedals and the HC was riden out for the day by our Guide.
The HC took it all in it's stride. It was jumped, railed and generally abused in proper fashion. The forks took a hammering but at least are now properly bedded in. Gears, brakes and wheels all worked well. At the end of the day our Guide (Hi Matt - not that you'll be reading this) had a hoot on it and said that he really missed riding a hardtail.
Our Guide's bike is a very nice 222 but unfortunately his forks imploded on the Sunday which left him bikeless on the Monday. A quick change of front tyre (to a 2.7!!), a couple of fork adjustments, a swap of pedals and the HC was riden out for the day by our Guide.
The HC took it all in it's stride. It was jumped, railed and generally abused in proper fashion. The forks took a hammering but at least are now properly bedded in. Gears, brakes and wheels all worked well. At the end of the day our Guide (Hi Matt - not that you'll be reading this) had a hoot on it and said that he really missed riding a hardtail.
Gassing Station | Pedal Powered | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff