Spesh Vs Cube

Jason Cole

Hi all

Another noob requesting some help on buying a first bike!

I've done the biking thing before and my last bike was a 17" 97 Rockhopper, which I turned in to a banana about 7 years ago. Its also when I stopped biking. Things have changed ALOT since then, so over the last few weeks I've been trying to get up to speed with all the new things. Needless to say, I'm rather lost.

To cut a long story short, a few months ago I started going out on a borrowed bike (23" no-namer) and caught the bug again, I'd like to buy something soon as the bike I'm using will probably kill me before long.

I've narrowed it down to these bikes and wonder if any of you could offer any advice on them. My riding style would be XC mostly, with some arsing about in car parks

Cube Acid
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=23672
with a possible upgrade to forks at a later date?

Specialized Rockhopper 07
http://www.evanscycles.com/product.jsp?style=70269
add hydro disks at a later date? I've never used discs so V's will be fine for now?

Specialized Rockhopper 08
http://www.evanscycles.com/product.jsp?style=86116
Is there any vast difference in the 08 to the 07? that I would be breaking>upgrading anyway?

Anything I might have missed out or should look at would be great to know. Its going to be a problem trying the Cube (I'm drawn to it for weight and initial spec), but I can try out the Spesh (know they used to be a fun ride). I will add that I was a mechanic for a couple of years in a LBS, so although upgrading things might be a pain, I dont mind getting my hands dirty

Any help would be appreciated!

Jase

supersonic

The good thing about the V braked version is that it is disc ready, so upgrading would be painless, and could be done for less than 100 quid. Both the Hoppers have great forks in the Tora SL. The cube is well specced, but frame and fork not the same calss as the hooper, and it is very XC oriented with the short fork, long poise and flat bar. Test by all means!

The Big Cheese

supersonic wrote:

not the same calss as the hooper

You been on the Stellas again SS

zero303

08 Rockhopper is only £50 more so really it ought to come down to colour.

If you buy the 07 you could spend the difference on discs (which will be a revelation if you get the right ones)

Jason Cole

Thanks for the replies, they've helped me choose another Spesh - much appreciated!

The colour comment was a funny one, I actually don't like either of the new colours when I think about it, but would go with the red or silver if it meant I was getting a better bike.

So far (looking at Evans specs) I can only see that the forks have no lockout and the front wheel has a radial spoke pattern, is it worth spending the extra (which I don't mind) on the newer model considering I'll probably upgrade most things when they fail?

Thanks again for any advice!

Matteeboy

Wife getting a 2008 Rockhopper Disk tomorrow - should be good.
The 2008 version has a MUCH better M4 frame (as opposed to A1 Aluminium) so well worth getting I reckon.

juankerr

2007 Rockies had M4 frames as well in the UK.

I'd say go for the 2008 Rockie in silver, although I reckon the 2007's were better looking.

Jason Cole

Thanks for all the comments, they've really helped a lot - I finally decided to go with the 07 Rockhopper

The few parts I was concerned about being newer on the 08 were consumables that I plan on breaking at some point anyways..

Now its just a waiting game for a black one!

Not too concerned really with the weather we're having at the minute :roll: