Commute Bike Help - Rockhopper

chrism_scotland

I'm looking to take advantage of my work C"W scheme come April and I'm looking for a bike for a 3 mile commute either way.
It would be mainly off road for the most part on a cycle path, I had a HT previously and I would like a bike that I can use off road as well.

Looking at my budget I would have bought a Rockhopper Disc but I see that the new Rockhoppers for 2009 are split into 4 or 5 different models, which one would be equivalent to the 2008 Disc?

prawny

I'd say the Comp Disc looks like the equivalent, all the prices have taken a jump this year I think because of the strong yen.

As far as i'm aware SLX is the new LX and they've both got TORA forks so the specs look similar - sadly I'm not as up on MTBs as I used to be, you might get more joy over in mtb buying advice, commuting is a haven for outcast roadies

soy_sauce

try to get a 08 model if you can. there are always Disc, Comp, Comp Disc, Expert and Pro ranges. and the price and spec also go in that order too. (low to high)

08 Disc has a better fork than the 09 Disc, in my opinion.

BoardinBob

The 09 Comp Disc appears to be on a par with the 08 Disc

Tora fork
Juicy 3s
LX vx SLX rear mech

http://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCBkMode ... spid=34005

http://www.dalescycles.com/2009_Special ... 09rhcd.htm

It's worth noting that Spesh went against the current trend of downspeccing bikes as other manufacturers did with the rising production and component costs. Spesh specced their bikes at the same level as last year but pushed the prices up rather than speccing the bikes lower but keeping the same price as last year.


£100 off the 2008 Disc here: http://www.dalescycles.com/Specialized_ ... cdsc08.htm

chrism_scotland

BoardinBob wrote:

The 09 Comp Disc appears to be on a par with the 08 Disc

Tora fork
Juicy 3s
LX vx SLX rear mech

http://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCBkMode ... spid=34005

http://www.dalescycles.com/2009_Special ... 09rhcd.htm

It's worth noting that Spesh went against the current trend of downspeccing bikes as other manufacturers did with the rising production and component costs. Spesh specced their bikes at the same level as last year but pushed the prices up rather than speccing the bikes lower but keeping the same price as last year.


£100 off the 2008 Disc here: http://www.dalescycles.com/Specialized_ ... cdsc08.htm

I did notice the 2008 Spec Bikes at Dales however they are now out of stock in all sizes that why I've started looking at the 2009 range, it was a Giant XTC SE I had before but the replacement the XTC 4.5 doesn't seem to be very well regarded, and I've always fancied a Rockhopper!

BoardinBob

Assuming you're looking to spend £600 - £700 I can't recommend this place enough:

http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m1b0s2p0

You'll get some massive savings on models from previous years

chrism_scotland

I've been taking a look around and have seen the Gary Fisher
Piranha 2009, Kona Cindercone and the Trek 6500 Disc 2008, how do these compare to a Rockhopper?

BoardinBob

chrism_scotland wrote:

I've been taking a look around and have seen the Gary Fisher
Piranha 2009, Kona Cindercone and the Trek 6500 Disc 2008, how do these compare to a Rockhopper?

Kona Cindercone - Decent enough frame and components BUT the Rockshox Dart fork is pretty poor.

Gary Fisher Piranha - Again the Dart fork is poor. Basic SRAM X5 drivertrain that isn't as good as that on the Cindercone

Trek 6500 Disc 2008 - Good fork - light with a lot of features. Nice XT rear mech. Solid Shimano components.



Out of those three, I'd go for the Trek as it's a vastly superior bike.

chrism_scotland

I like the look of the Trek, especially a special offer 2008 bike, how does it compare to the Rockhopper Disc 2008?

BoardinBob

I'm assuming this is the Trek you're looking at: http://www.cycleworld.co.uk/product/167 ... tin_Silver

In comparison to this Spesh http://www.dalescycles.com/2009_Special ... 09rhcd.htm

FORKS

Trek has a Tora 302 which is air sprung with rebound adjust and lockout

Spesh has a Tora 302 which is coil sprung. It'll be heavier than the air sprung version. It has rebound adjust but no lockout. If you're riding on smooth surfaces or doing a lot of climbing, you'll really appreciate the lock out.

The Trek wins on the suspension front

BRAKES

Spesh has Avid Juicy 3s

Trek has Shimano Deore

Shimano aren't renowned for their brakes. They're not bad, but they're not class leading. The Avids are a better product.

Spesh wins here

GEARS

Both have Shimano Deore primarily, with the Spesh having an SLX rear mech and the Trek has an XT one.

XT is better than SLX so the Trek wins here.


Frame wise there's little between them and they're both good.

Spesh tends to spec their own components (seatpost, bars etc) and as someone who owns a Spesh hardtail and full susser, their own bits are perfectly acceptable.

Wheels look to be very similar.

Overall they're very close. The Trek edges is slightly spec wise but they're both good bikes for the money. At the end of the day, it'll probably boil down to which one you think is better looking

chrism_scotland

I almost bought the Trek last year and it looks a good bike, thanks for the comparison!

BoardinBob

I don't know if you're in Glasgow but Bikes Behind Bars in Shawlands is a Trek dealer. I was in on Saturday and they had a few bikes reduced.

http://www.bikes-behindbars.co.uk/

(their website's a bit crap but never mind, it's a good shop)

chrism_scotland

I'm not in Glasgow unfortunately but as the shops in Edinburgh are not great I would be going to Glasgow to get it probably, I bought my Giant from Dales Cycles before and they were excellent, if I want a Rockhopper nowhere in Edinburgh that does the C2W seems to do them.

chrism_scotland

Does anyone use the Giant XTC 4 or 3 for a commute, are they decent bikes compared to a Rockhopper or Trek 6500?

BoardinBob

chrism_scotland wrote:

I'm not in Glasgow unfortunately but as the shops in Edinburgh are not great I would be going to Glasgow to get it probably, I bought my Giant from Dales Cycles before and they were excellent, if I want a Rockhopper nowhere in Edinburgh that does the C2W seems to do them.

Edinburgh Bike Co-op is a Specialized dealer

http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/ebwPNLq ... OrderID=-1


and they do the bike scheme

http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/comms/s ... ardinal=11