Specialized Hardrock Pro Disc 2011

whistleblower

Hello all. I have finally bought my first proper hardtail. I limited my budget to 600 quid and decided upon the Specialized Hardrock Pro Disc 2011.



Has anyone else bought this bike? What is your opinion of this bike? Are the specs up to scratch for the price of this hardtail? I am seeking opinions for this and I will, ofcourse, provide feedback about the bike once I have ridden it this coming weekend.

ESHER SHORE

its a much better bike for the money than the 2010 Hardrock Pro Disc

finally, Shimano drivetrain and Shimano hydro disc brakes, and a decent fork (way better than the RS Dart last year!)

supersonic

The Dart 3 is a decent fork at this money. But this new, more expensive version gets the new Alivio 9 speed drivetrain.

eggey17

hi mate nice looking bike can you tell me the weight of the bike regards
also were did you buy it from.

whistleblower

The bike arrived today from Tredz. All I had to do was put on the pedals and straighten up the handlebars. You can view the description about the bike here here.

I have uploaded some photos of my new bike to Flickr. Have a look at them here.

The specs for the bike are:

The Specialized Hardrock Pro Disc 2011 Features are:

Frame: Fully butted A1 Premium Aluminum frame with double ORE down tube
Fork: Custom-tuned SR Suntour suspension fork with hydraulic damping, lockout with lightweight magnesium lowers, and alloy steerer
Handlebar: Butted alloy XC rise
Stem: 3D-forged
Speed: 27
Rear Mech: Shimano Alivio 9-speed
Shifters: Alivio Rapidfire trigger
Chainset: Shimano
Bottom Bracket: Octalink-splined BB
Front Brake: Shimano dual-piston hydraulic disc
Rear Brake: Shimano dual-piston hydraulic disc
Rims: Light and durable double-walled alloy
Tyres: Specialized Fast Trak LK Sport 60tpi

bobbleton

I bought one of these in July and I'm loving it. I'm 6'2 and went for the 21". The frame is a couple of inches longer than most 21" bikes which gives me a more comfortable riding position.

It's a very fast bike too and on a good day I wouldn't mind an extra tooth or two on the ring gear. The standard ring is 44 tooth, but I'll wait a few weeks before deciding if I should change it as the lower ratios are fine and well spaced and I wouldn't want to spoil that.

All in all I'm very happy and glad I chose this model.

rockmonkeysc

I have got a 2010 model. It's a great bike, mine has been abused & neglected but still feels like new.
A set of RS Tora forks are a good investment unless the SR Suntour forks are seriously improved. Original brakes are great, my Avid Juicy 3's were a waste of money, no improvement at all.

whistleblower

I spent my first afternoon on my new MTB machine. It was a very fast bike and the suspension is great. I adjusted the seat slightly. Before long, I was cycling really fast on the seafront in Eastbourne. I had my Camelpak on my back and was enjoying the time.

I cycled for two hours (it has been my first ever long distance ride for ten years) and I was able to get my second-wind. I was impressed with the bike's maneuverability, the brakes were incredibly solid and the crank needs some getting used to. I didn't want to get back home for dinner and I really wanted to keep cycling. What I love most is the chunky tyres that eat up the road, pavement and grass. I am able to really swerve at an angle. Unfortunately, I had to retire from today and put the bike in the garage.

I would really recommend this bike to anyone that is seeking a good solid hardtail bike. One of the best buys that I have made.

whistleblower

A quick (but probably stupid) question; do I have to oil my chain on my new bike? It is brand new and the chain doesn't have any oil or WD40 on it.

supersonic

New chains are impregnated with a waxy oil that does a good job for a long time.

torgey33

Sounds like you got the Right Bike for you with all the fun your having....
Enjoy....

And try not to use WD40 on your chain
http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtop ... highlight=

bobbleton

I've now put a few hundred miles on my bike and I've decided to keep the standard chain ring. Top of my list now are the pedals and then the forks.

The bearings in the pedals are already rough and notchy which is a real surprise given the build quality of everything else on this bike. Maybe I just got a duff pair...

The forks are OK, but the adjuster doesn't seem to work. But my biggest gripe is not having a remote lock out, although I know this wasn't a top end hard tail. It bobs way too much on the hills and I can't be arsed to fumble about looking for the lockout when I'm trying to keep momentum. If the adjuster worked then perhaps it wouldn't be an issue.

Would be great to know if anyone else thinks the same about these forks.

Appart from that it's still an awsome bike for the money and I certainly don't regret buying it. I wouldn't get this much fun if I gave my wife 600 quid ;-)

The tyres are awsome for the places I've gone. They don't look particularly agressive but they work! If the rain continues I'll try them in the mud this weekend :-)

The brakes are awsome too. All in all - it's a great bike for the money. Just make sure you lock it up as I've already caught one muppet trying to steal mine - GRRR....

TowerRider

whistleblower wrote:

A quick (but probably stupid) question; do I have to oil my chain on my new bike? It is brand new and the chain doesn't have any oil or WD40 on it.

Get searching the forum FAQ's in the technical section just like I had to, don't wish to sound rude but you mention WD40 which is a water dispersent....

Have bike prices increased that much? I have a Spec Rockhopper 09 disk which was less than yours at 'sale' prices.

P.S the first job should have been to take the daft health and safety BELL off! no idea what purpose they serve unless you are a mute !! Second Job would be to bin stock pedals and put on new pedals.

tsenior

i have a 2008 hardrock which was a lower spec model to yours: bb5 cable disks (still on); undamped fork (changed), and which i still love to bits: she has coped very well for a entry level machine with alot of xc/trail riding in north wales where we have proper mountains 8) .

change the stock pedals asap, you may also find that the "fast track" tyres, while good performers in the dry and on hardpack do not cope the winter mud.

whistleblower

bobbleton wrote:

All in all - it's a great bike for the money. Just make sure you lock it up as I've already caught one muppet trying to steal mine - GRRR....

What did you do? Did you approach the said muppet?

I keep my bike locked up in a garage which is secure and my flat has secure gates etc.

bobbleton

Yeah - approached the muppet but he ran off before I got close enough to squash his head. £50 Stainless Steel cable lock is now in the bin.

The pedals will be joining the lock for a party in the bin on Saturday (Bell went on day one LOL) and then I'm off up the Taff Trail starting from Cardiff. There are some great trails around Castell Coch and the downhills North and South of Caerphilly are awsome. Will then head on up to Nelson in the valleys where there are some big rocks to play on...

Castell Coch is usually muddy even in the summer :-) I'm guessing I'll change the rear tyre at some point. Anyone have any suggestions as to a good all round trail tyre?

whistleblower

I took my bike for a ride around today again for a few hours. Whilst travelling home on the train, a few people were interested in the bike. Heard more than once it is shiny. One person who was walking their MTB mentioned it looked nice.

Glad to hear some nice comments.

bobbleton

Yeah - it's a real head turner. Had loads of nice comments too :-) It's great stopping at the lights and watching heads turn. I've made 3 new friends in a week!

It's a real pleasure to own one of these bikes. I need to customise it to my own taste, but I love it to bits.

It's an awsome bike and I'm happy to recommend it to anyone.

I didn't intend to be over critical, but this bike is so good that I guess I'm just looking for faults. But after approx 400miles, the pedals really have to go...

It's in for a service next week, so maybe my fork issue will be sorted.

beres

I'm in the market for a new MTB and have narrowed it down to a Hardrock Pro 2011 or Rockhopper SL 2010 / Rockhopper SL 2011. I am tending towards the Pro 2011 but wondered if anyone can tell me the difference between these models (the specs all seemed similar to me).. thanks

whistleblower

Beres, I am new to MTB'ing so I don't know much at the moment. I have found the Hardrock Pro 2011 a nice strong bike. The forks are great on my bike; I can tweak the fork to suit. The only negative about my bike would be the pedals (which are going to be replaced very soon) and the gears are really clunky. If I push hard on the crank, the gears seem to jump for a bit. Not safe if you need to cross the road quick. I don't know if the gears need a service or whether they are really that bad. Whatever you choose to buy, I hope you enjoy it.

bobbleton

I'm also seriously happy with my Pro 2011. My fork issue was resolved quickly (was just some swarf jamming the thread so I now have full adjustment).

I replaced the pedals with Easton Flatboys which are an awsome improvement and well worth the money. I've not had any problem with the gears on mine and was impressed with the accuracy and smoothness.

I bashed about on the Taff Trail yesterday and can honestly say this bike is now a dream to ride.

The SL2011 has a better fork than the Pro Disc and the remote lockout is a good addition. The SL has a 10 speed cassette vs the Pro's 9. But with the SL double the price of the Pro I'm not convinced you'd get twice the bike. Unless you've got money to burn I'd opt for the Pro and customise it to suite your riding.

whistleblower

Found out that I need to index the gears to resolve the jumpy shift. Just some minor tweaking and I should be good to go. I am really happy with my buy. Just next week and I should be getting my new pedals. My new hobby has left a hole in my bank account but I am pleased to be getting healthier. It sure does beat my minor asthma that I have.

TowerRider

whistleblower wrote:

Found out that I need to index the gears to resolve the jumpy shift. Just some minor tweaking and I should be good to go. I am really happy with my buy. Just next week and I should be getting my new pedals. My new hobby has left a hole in my bank account but I am pleased to be getting healthier. It sure does beat my minor asthma that I have.

When ever I see these ' I have a budget of x' I feel pain for the person writing it. I have NEVER seen anyone say I hope you have the same budget for clothing, tools and accesories BUT this is the reality. The most common thing is - if you can afford £50 I would get....
I bet most are still spending to this day and if they had a credit card they probably bought lots of stuff shortly after purchasing bike....
Ah well off out on my Spec Rockhopper.

p.s. enjoy the bad backs you will be getting OR start work now on strenghening your back - WHAT mountain bike has another feauture this issue.

chrisski

ive just got myself a rockhopper pro 2010! very yummy bike! had a rockhopper before and cant beat them and the hardrocks!

BGM

Hi all, new user here.

I also have just bought a Hardrock Pro 2011, but on the cycle to work scheme. I absolutely love it, and as previous users have said its a real head turner. Looking at the pics I was a bit skeptical about the colour scheme but in the flesh it is beautiful, the publicity shots dont do it justice! It is a pleasure to ride and I would recommend it to anybody.

whistleblower

I took my bike for a spin along the cuckoo trail (Eastbourne to Heathfield) but I got a flat tyre. No pump, no inner tubes and no puncture repair kit. Now you know what I'm doing today. The bike is pretty mucky now. Check out my pictures on flickr.

whistleblower

Some piccies from my latest puncture. Btw, I did learn a bit more about MTB'ing so am pleased with my new hobby.

The flat tyre:






My bike did get a bit muddy so I need to give a good old clean, what things do I need to get to give it a clean? Please advise.

whistleblower

Some upgrades and recent purchases that I have made. Hope you like the piccies.







I shall be replacing the grips for lock on grips. I hate the way the grips tend to slip off. I have to stop every now and then and push the grips back on.

whistleblower

I thought I would share that I had just rode a 50 mile charity bike ride last Sunday and the bike performed better than I expected. It was a great achievement to have rode 50 miles with a MTB and a greater sense of achievement that I chose a bike suitable for my rides.

rockmonkeysc

I have just started riding my 2010 Hardrock again. It's a pretty decent bike now.
There are a few parts that definatly need upgrading when you can. The Tora SL forks have made a huge improvement to the ride quality & steering, they are also a lot stiffer. Fitting an external bottom bracket is also worth doing. They last a lot longer & are noticeably stiffer, if you fit it with a shimano deore crank set it improves the shifting as well and only costs £50 for crankset and BB. I have also just replaced the useless specialized tyres with a pair of 2" conti mountain kings, big improvement in the mud.
I made a mistake in fitting Juicy 3 hydraulic brakes, the originals were more reliable & more powerfull.
The hardrock does come with some poor components but a very good frame.

bobbleton

Ha - I just fell off.... (Sunday)

45 degree muddy downhill. Done it 3 times in the dry, but lost it in the wet. Front stepped out and I ended up in the brambles. Bike landed in the river. Only damage is a chunk knocked out of the left pedal along with bleeding calves and forearms from all the thorns. Didn't feel a thing till I got home and saw the blood!

All good fun though :roll: