2008 Giant XTC 3.5 Vs. Specialized Rockhopper

johnboy373
johnboy373 Posts: 17
edited May 2009 in MTB beginners
Hey guys

Im looking to buy my first mountian bike in the next week or so.

I think my heart is set on a Rockhopper however I was in Dale's cycles with a friend on friday and they got a good deal on the Giant XTC 3.5 £499!!

The problem is the componants on the XTC are hard to discount its got a Rockshox Tora front fork, Shock lock out lever on handlebar, better equiped shifters and de-railers

My question is what would you more experienced bikers choose?

Giant XTC 3.5

http://www.dalescycles.com/Giant_XTC_3_ ... tc3508.htm

Specialized Rockhopper comp.

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

Thanks

John

Comments

  • Airienteer
    Airienteer Posts: 695
    If those are the prices you can get them for, the XTC is a no-brainer. That's a really good price, probably due to the fact it's a 2008. (No bad thing by the way!). It has a better spec and the frame is excellent for a first mountain bike. It's strong, reasonably light and has a nice position. You could even have a couple of upgrades and you wouldn't have spent more then the Rockhopper!
  • Timmaa
    Timmaa Posts: 10
    It's a shame you didn't get in there a week or two earlier. I got a 2008 Rockhopper 'V' brakes from Dales Cycles for £349 about 3 weeks ago.
  • blablablacksheep
    blablablacksheep Posts: 1,377
    the tora better than dart so giant.
    London2Brighton Challange 100k!
    http://www.justgiving.com/broxbourne-runners
  • Ameetcam
    Ameetcam Posts: 21
    Timmaa wrote:
    It's a shame you didn't get in there a week or two earlier. I got a 2008 Rockhopper 'V' brakes from Dales Cycles for £349 about 3 weeks ago.

    Me too - it's my first mountainbike and I love it! Wicked price too. :D Its weird as they've replaced the Tora on the 08 Rockhopper with the Dart 3 which is worse.

    Dales are a great shop. The Giant seems like a great deal. Or you could wait for the Spesh 09's to come down in price?
  • DiscoStu73
    DiscoStu73 Posts: 100
    I had a similar dilemma a few weeks ago: Giant XTC4 vs Specialized Hardrock Pro.
    I could get the Giant discounted locally to £500, and the Hardrock was going for £489. Although everyone initailly said "go with the Specialized, they're meant to be better" when I actually looked at what I was getting for my money the Giant won hands down. Better spec Shimano kit, decent fork and decent tyres. the Hardrock pro looked funkier but was lower spec AND didn't have particularly goos own-brand tyres on it, so that would have been a £40 upgrade straight away.
    Someone also made a good point about the frames. The Giant is the entry level model for a higher quality frame, whereas the Specialized isn't.

    It turned out I bought another bike tho... something mental...

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