[Closed] Specialized hardrock sport disc. Any good??

Yeah, a nice bike! make sure you get it in black as the red is horrid 🙂

For what you want it for it sounds perfect.

I own one (2007 model). For the price I think they are very good value for money, but you need to be realistic and many people here would consider 2x that as "entry level"! Of course most of them have more money than sense - but if you are planning to use it for more that "light off roading" then there are some things will quickly get on your tits:

(1) the brakes - are mechanical disk not hydraulic. This means their stopping power is not what your mates will have if they have hydraulic brakes and so you'll find yourself bottling out sooner! They are also not as easy to 'modulate' so its very much all or nothing. For light off road you will be fine, the red run at glen tress is perfectly doable with them - but much more enjoyable after an upgrade!

(2) the forks - this is where specialised have saved the cash! Upgrading forks is expensive. The suntour forks on mine were pretty dreadful, they are now using a slightly better model - but its still not going to be amazing.

In theory its a great frame with a lifetime warranty but upgrading can be a little bit expensive. Some of these issues may have changed but if that is your plan watch out:

the brake levers and shifters are integrated - if you upgrade the brakes you'll need new shifters. Its only 8 speed at the back but to upgrade that needs a new cassette, derailer, chain, and shifter. The handle bars are quite narrow by today's standards - but they are also 25.4mm cross section which makes upgrade options very limited - so you could need a new stem at the same time.

Personally if my main riding was commuting on road 18 miles per day - then the Hardrock wouldn't be my choice - its too heavy and slow. If it is genuinely light offroading - then a hybrid or cross bike would probably cope fine (whilst flying on the uphills and daily commute). If its rough enough to need suspension and decent brakes then the Voodoo Hoodoo looks to be better for the same money.

Two things to add: it's almost the time when 2011 bikes are cleared by the deales in time for 2012 stock to arrive, and, if your employer does the Cycle to Work scheme, you can save about 20% of the price of the bike. Both of those together might make a better model Hardrock or even a Rockhopper affordable.

Thanks for the advice guys. As its my first bike (not literally!!) I dont know if I'll be straight into upgrading this n that but its handy to know that there maybe some tricky bits that I may encounter if I do so. Also, it seems every bike that I look at in my price range (under £500)doesnt have the best shocks which is understandable really. As with anything, you get what you pay for I suppose!! Do the shocks on the Hardrock lockout?? I did toy with the idea of a hybrid and was looking at the Cube CLS LTD Pro but apparently they are like rocking horse sh*t to get hold of! So after several hours of searching the net I reckon a hardtail is the way I'll go.

Most reviews Ive read all seem to say that its slightly on the heavy side but I think I can live with that!

Yeah I agree, the red one isnt very pleasing on the eye so it'll definitely be the black one haha!

Lastly, any idea when next years range comes out? Might be able to get a bargain with 2011 stock!!

[url= http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m1b7s2p1938 ]Kona Caldera[/url]
[url= http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m1b1s2p2458 ]GT Avalanche 1.0[/url]
[url= http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m1b49s2p2886 ]Charge Duster Mid[/url] actually quite a cool bike[img] [/img]

These are in your price limit, and have a half decent suspension fork (Rockshox Tora).

I used to have a Hardrock, maybe a 2006 one or something. Was a great bike, I rode all over the Lakes on it, until it got nicked. Not looked at the spec of the latest one.

It's worth checking out Pauls Cycles, they often sem to have some pretty good bargains.

A 200? (early 2000s) Hardrock was my first bike with suspension. On my Bro's advice I got rid of the stock forks and stuck some £50 Bombers on it before I'd ridden it.

What I can say is that it was a fine introduction to bouncy bouncy riding. Nothing pimpy, superlight, or niche, but thoroughly capable and fun.

Kona Caldera
GT Avalanche 1.0
Charge Duster Mid actually quite a cool bike

Had a look and yeah they do seem like good bits of kit. Definitely worth considering. Thanks.