First Bike - HardRock Pro Disk or Rockhopper SL

[Sonofabeesting]

Hi

I NEED to get fit and have a few nice (easy) rides around where I live. So thought I would get a bike and start cycling.

I have access to the cycle to work scheme so was looking at the Hardrock Pro Disk or the Rockhopper SL.

Is it worth me getting the more expensive Rockhopper SL?

Thanks

[Allblackdup]

All depends on what you're using if for.......

Weirdly i've just ordered the Hardrock Pro Disc through my employers cycle to work scheme. I looked at the Rockhopper bikes, but as i'm predominantly using the bike for commuting, i didn't think i warranted spending the extra amount over the Pro disc. The Pro will give me everything i need then for taking it off road and i've got road tyres for the other surfaces.

[y2blade]

I love my Specialized Hardrock

[Allblackdup]

y2blade said:

I love my Specialized Hardrock

Which one do you have? Any issues?

[y2blade]

Allblackdup said:

y2blade said:

I love my Specialized Hardrock

Which one do you have? Any issues?

mine




bought it in 2004 and it has been faultless

[Allblackdup]

Very nice looking bike! Cheers for posting the info, good to know! Looking forward to mine arriving.

[y2blade]

thanks
I went into my local MTB shop to buy a Marin....but saw it and had to have it

[Sonofabeesting]

thanks for the responses. With the cycle to work scheme the the difference in price is about £5 a month over a year.

[waughie]

I've had mine since 04 too, its been upgraded a little bit. The Rockhopper is the better bike, but depends on your budget, and a Hardrock can do everything just as well!

Its been a brilliant starter bike, and has been to Fort William, Laggan and Dalby etc.



There has been one addition since this pic, in the form of red jockey wheels with ceramic bearings, pointless yes, waste of money yes, but they are shiny!!

Current spec is:
04 Hardrock Pro frame
06 Fox 32 TALAS RLC forks
Avid Juicy 5 hydraulic brakes
Sun Ditch Witch rims
XT rear Hub (broke the original)
LX rear mech
LX Hollowtech 2 crank
Deore shifters
Deore front mech
DMR V8 pedals
FSA bars and stem

I think thats it off the top of my head, although there isn;t much of the original bike left :S

[y2blade]

waughie said:

I've had mine since 04 too, its been upgraded a little bit. The Rockhopper is the better bike, but depends on your budget, and a Hardrock can do everything just as well!

"The Rockhopper is better yet the Hardrock can do everything just as well"....how does that make the Rockhopper better?

[waughie]

It has a slightly better frame, so is lighter and is stronger. However this isn't something a normal rider would really notice. It also has a better component mix with a few upgraded components.

Not having looked at the specs for a while i can't remember if the Hardrock is still 24 speed where the Rockhopper is 27 speed. This won't neccesarily mean the RH is faster or a better climber as such, its all about how the bike is riden, that makes the difference.

[D5ACT]

Gotta admit, I never got on with either of the bikes you mention. Don't get me wrong fine bikes but just felt a litle numb. I have a feeling I'm gonna get slated for that line.

I tried out about 10 bikes when looking and ended up plumping for a Cannondale F2, which gives great feel and steers like a dream.

I did try a number of other bikes and my close second was the Marin Rocky Ridge.

Still my mates who ride Specializeds relly like them and can't get on with my Cannondale.

All I'd say is ride all the bikes you can to get the best fit for you.

[Sonofabeesting]

Interesting comment.

Shows my inexperience as I didnt know different makes had different 'feels' I just thought it was about components etc

I have also been looking at Cannondale SL3 or 4 and the Kona Cinder Cone.

I am limited to the shops I can buy from is the shops partipating in the cycle to work scheme.

[y2blade]

waughie said:

It has a slightly better frame, so is lighter and is stronger. However this isn't something a normal rider would really notice. It also has a better component mix with a few upgraded components.

Not having looked at the specs for a while i can't remember if the Hardrock is still 24 speed where the Rockhopper is 27 speed. This won't neccesarily mean the RH is faster or a better climber as such, its all about how the bike is riden, that makes the difference.

thanks for explaining that to me, I'm not as clued up about MTBs as most in here, and not ashamed to say so

[Allblackdup]

Sonofabeesting said:

Interesting comment.

Shows my inexperience as I didnt know different makes had different 'feels' I just thought it was about components etc

I have also been looking at Cannondale SL3 or 4 and the Kona Cinder Cone.

I am limited to the shops I can buy from is the shops partipating in the cycle to work scheme.

Don't worry about the shops that are participating - my employers only use 1! As above though, best thing you can do is go out and try as many as possible. If you do find one place has a few bikes that you are interested in, even better!

Its definately a personal choice which bike you go for and you never know you may try a totally different one and be taken with that one.

[ian_c_uk]

It's all about geometry, but if Specialized "works" for you, then I don't think you will go wrong with a hardrock.

A mate of mine had an 09 HR Pro, which he was very happy with, so I had no hesitation in getting a 2010 HR Comp - only had it 4mths, but very happy with it as both a station commuter bike and forest trails etc.

[Gooby]

A buddy has the pro disk, it is a great bike and he rides VERY hard but it is a bloody heavy bike - It is reasonably old (2005/6 iirc). Where the weight is noticed is when you have to get off to lift the thing over styles and fences, it nearly gives you a hernia, the guy does iron mans so it is a good training tool for him. Interestingly it is laid up at the moment with drive train failure on a large scale. Even with a large amount of "less expensive" steel components which usually last ages (and they have done) the weight of the bike and rider and the generally abusive environment we ride in have basically killed the bike. You can read into that what you like, the riding we do tends to be hard on bikes so it is not a critisim of the bike. Just be aware that this is a weighty beast. We do take the piss out the scottish bike (made from girders) but he is usually the first up the hill (frustratingly). On the other hand, I dont have any suggestions of lighter in the price bracket. ... Trek?

If you are intending to get fit on a bike you want something that will inspire you to ride. Yesterday after a 4 hour thrash, I washed the bike, looked at and really wanted to go out again! Throw a leg over the bike, take it round the block and see if you love it. An observation with bikes, you tend to buy cheap bikes twice. If you fall in love with cycling you will want something with a higher spec. You can upgrade the components and have triggers broom, no problem but is the original frame worth it?

[Roman]

Sonofabeesting said:

thanks for the responses. With the cycle to work scheme the the difference in price is about £5 a month over a year.

In that case I'd say the Rockhopper is well worth the extra £5pcm.

[johnnyboy666]

I have to say I'm with D5ACT on this. Never really been a massive fan of Specialized for the same reason, just a bit too neutral and dull to ride, pleasent but not exciting. I find a similar thing with Trek although I find them to be even more lifeless. As said earlier a bike is much more than just the sum of it's parts. You can always upgrade various bits and bobs but the initial geometry and feel need to be right. You have to go out and ride these bikes. You will notice the difference from the moment you sit on them. I've always liked the ride of Marin hardtails, they always stood out to me and also Kona used to have a great ride (although I haven't had the pleasure of riding one for a few years now and they always used to be a bit overpriced in my eyes). Bir Question as always is what it is going to be used for aswell. If it is mainly offroad then the new breed of long travel hardtails like The Marin B17 etc would be much better than an XC bike but road work will suffer as a compromise. Although I ride a Ragley Blue Pig with 140mm travel up front and a single front ring on the road with no problems at all (slicks are a must for that though).

A Long post I know but bikes boil down to the ride. If you dig Specialized then Go for the Rockhopper, it's a better base to start from and the frame will keep up with any upgrades you do. Another rule I think always worth following is spend the most you can and get the best you can afford, it pays in the long run.

John

Edited by johnnyboy666 on Monday 26th April 12:20

[waughie]

johnny, you have pretty much hit the nail on the head. Bikes at this price are designed to be accessible to all and what I would call beginner bikes. They are designed to be more neutral and less on edge, as that is what the average rider at this price wants, so they get a controlled entry into the sport.

Its not until you start spending more money that bikes become more interesting!