Hardtail decisions

magicrichard
magicrichard Posts: 69
edited August 2007 in MTB buying advice
Hi guys,

So my Trek 4300 from 1998 is finally too small and too broken for me, and I'm looking to buy a new bike that I can use for XC/trail riding, hopefully with a bit of upgrade potential. I have it narrowed down to this list (in the range of £450-580) and wondered if anybody had any comments/experience that they could share to help with the decision making process! I'm 6'2" and weigh about 13 stone - have been known to be relatively hard on components!

(I am trying out the Kona Blast tonight in 20" frame as the start of my investigations!)

Kona Blast - £450
Spez Rockhopper / Spez Rockhopper Disc - £450 / £550
Trek 6000 Disc - £475
Focus Black Forest - £580

Many thanks!
Rich

Comments

  • dan1983
    dan1983 Posts: 314
    I have the Focus and love it. Although the seatpost that comes with it was too small (i'm 6'3") so had to replace that. Can't comment on the other bikes though. And thats a nice price, I paid more than that for it! :(
  • steelo
    steelo Posts: 542
    Rockhopper Disc every time. Absolutely fantastic bike for the money, especially now they have knocked £100 off. Same frame as the £950 'hopper pro so you know its more than capable when you want to upgrade components. Lifetime frame warranty.

    Its a no-brainer! (Mind you I am biased as I have one myself)
    Specialized Rockhopper '07
    Trek Fuel EX8 '09
  • magicrichard
    magicrichard Posts: 69
    I will have to have a ride of the Rockhopper as well - unless i fall in love with the Kona tonight...!
  • chilled rider
    chilled rider Posts: 281
    My gt avalanche 1.0 is slightly cheaper than the kona and has some better components on it for a cheaper price. If you like the kona or whatever you decide on then thats all good as long as its your desicion in the end and not that of a forum. Check them out feel the bike and if it feels right then thats your decision made. All these bikes are nice and in the end you cant go wrong.

    When you do buy your bike i hope you have great times together, cos fun is the aim of the game 8)
    http://www.pinkbike.com/photo/1347023/

    KEEPING IT REAL RIDING STEEL
  • teacherman
    teacherman Posts: 454
    Kona don't seem to get a lot of love on this forum mainly because they aren't that well specced for the money but their frames are superb and i find my Caldera a confidence inspiring blast of a bike.

    Go with what feels best and upgrade later - lets face it we all like upgrading anyway - its part of the fun! :lol:
    I hate it when people say David Beckham's stupid...its not like anyone ever says: 'Stephen Hawking - he's s**t at football.' Paul Calf
  • chilled rider
    chilled rider Posts: 281
    I had a caldera and my rear drop out cracked :shock: i was gutted. I had it spec'd out and because of that failure on the frame i nearly gave up on mountain biking completely. I did however buy another and ... the rest is mud in my face :roll:
    http://www.pinkbike.com/photo/1347023/

    KEEPING IT REAL RIDING STEEL
  • teacherman
    teacherman Posts: 454
    I had a caldera and my rear drop out cracked i was gutted. I had it spec'd out and because of that failure on the frame i nearly gave up on mountain biking completely. I did however buy another and ... the rest is mud in my face


    Another caldera or something else? I'm saving to spec mine out at the moment. Forks first!

    Sorry, this is nothing to do with this thread is it?
    I hate it when people say David Beckham's stupid...its not like anyone ever says: 'Stephen Hawking - he's s**t at football.' Paul Calf
  • russjm
    russjm Posts: 31
    I just bought a Trek 6000 disc. Took it out last night, and I've got to say, it's the most comfortable ride I've had in a long time. Much better riding position than my old GT Backwoods, also smoother and more responsive on the first ride at least. The Suntour forks seem pretty good, and the disc brakes are great, new to me, because I've always had V brakes in the past. It's a great bike.
    "It's not about the bike, it's about what you do with it"
  • zeng
    zeng Posts: 17
    Hey bro..If u like the Kona Blast, U need to do lots of upgrading.

    check my Kona out


    http://picasaweb.google.com/spencer.chu ... aBlast2007
  • The Spiderman
    The Spiderman Posts: 5,625
    Of these I`d take the Rockhopper.If its your first mtb,its very useful that there is a Specialized dealer in every town should anything go wrong.

    Lovely frame too,decent components and ripe for upgrading,as and when bits wear out.
    My first mtb was a Rockhopper.

    Worth stretching yorself to get the disc version.
    2006 Giant XTC
    2010 Giant Defy Advanced
    2016 Boardman Pro 29er
    2016 Pinnacle Lithium 4
    2017 Canondale Supersix Evo
  • magicrichard
    magicrichard Posts: 69
    Thanks for all the advice guys - it wasn't my first MTB so knew what I was getting myself into, when i picked the Kona.

    It's a great bike, huge improvement on my old one - i'm really impressed that even budget forks get lock-outs these days. Obviosuly loads to upgrade - but i'll wait until I break parts before I do so! It was also surprisingly light for a kona - though unfortunately I can't find any information on its exact weight.

    Deore throughout was good for the money in my books, and the FSA crankset should last a few months - i'm sure i'll be around asking for advice on upgrades before long!

    And to whoever posted pics of their bike - very nice!

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