Which would you buy? Specialized Rockhopper vs Hardrock

dubcat

Hi,

I was previously considering a Fury. They are hard to get a hold of and if I am honest I would like to buy a Specialized because it's a brand I have heard of and which my friends tell me is reliable for a beginner like me who is pretty clueless.

My budget was originally 500 pounds. I COULD up it 600 if it's really worth it and I found the following bikes. One is 679 so is a bit above my range but I could look at getting it if it's a real big step up from the other.

Day 1 these bikes are just going to lug my 15.5 stone and 5'10.5" carcass around the roads while I lose weight. However, I snowboard and I have the feeling that riding trails will give me a similar buzz to that I get from boarding so I will hit the trails soon enough.

The bike components are all shown at this link

http://www.evanscycles.com/products-comparison?products=ec020000|ec023874|ec020001
PLZ CUT AND PASTE THE URL AS THE TAGGING WONT WORK FOR THIS URL

They are the

Specialized Rockhopper SL Comp 2010
Specialized Hardrock Pro Disc 2011
Specialized Rockhopper SL 2010

Am I spending too much? Which of these would you get and why?
Thanks in advance.
Dub

Empgamer

As I am in same position (albeit I am also considering the Focus Fatboy and the 2011 Fury - when it gets announced) this will be of interest. Just one thing, the specs of the other two bikes seem to have dropped from the comparison when you select the link?

dubcat

I am also thinking about the Killer Bee and Fury... but I will probably go for Specialized as the Evans warehouse is local to me and they have them all in stock.

You can't click on the URL - you have to cut and paste it. Tagging wont work and the automatic conversion to a URL chops out the other two bikes. Try cut and paste.

MountainMonster

Yeah the comparison isn't coming up for me either. I'll have a little ganders through the site and see what I find and see if I can help.

dubcat

Monster mate thanks so much. Would really appreciate it. Just copy and paste the URL and it will work fine. The | in the url is throwing the forum.

rockmonkeysc

I have got a HArdrock & my friend rides a Rockhopper so I have ridden both. The Rockhopper is lighter and you really feel the difference. The components are also better on the Rockhopper, especially the fork.
My Hardrock is a great bike & has taken a lot of abuse but I would rather have the Rockhopper.
Rockhopper also used to win all the budget hardtail magazine tests.

D4ngerous

Di you have a look at Cubes? In the price range the Cube is better specced and to my eyes a better looking bike.

whistleblower

I like the Hardrock Disc Pro. I got this bike and it is incredibly quick. The suspension is good and the discs are very responsive. I rode the bike for three hours and was still having fun. A good bike for a good price.

dubcat

D4ngerous you got a link to the cubes? Not seen those.

D4ngerous

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Cate ... oryID=1986

dubcat

Thanks. I ain't knowledgeable enough to compare them to be honest

dubcat

Thanks. I ain't knowledgeable enough to compare them to be honest

Empgamer

I've looked at the Cubes too. Only comments that I've seen that put me off some are the Dart forks on the Acid meaning I'd likely go for the Race and at that price I'd probably go for a Spesh. Seen comments about the paint chipping easily on some Cubes too. Lovely looking bikes though. Same for the Scott Aspect 20 but again, Darts on a bike that WAS £700+.

funky_munky

gaaaahhhh...

Have you made a decision yet Dubcat?

I'm currently considering these bikes too and really really finding it a tough decision. I do keep reading that the Tora fork is better than the Dart which is making me kind of sway towards the Rockhopper Comp.

Thing is, not sure about a brilliant white bike

D4ngerous

why not buy the best framed bike you can and pick up a set of forks over the winter or end of season sales? some great deals on just now.

dubcat

Hi folks - I ordered a bike for me and one for the wife today . I chose the 2010 sl rockhopper. To be honest I could have afforded the more expensive comp. However, I realised that the frames were the same on both rockhoppers and that given my poor level of fitness the other upgraded components would be wasted on me. Instead I will wear out these components and then upgrade to something better in the future.

My rockhopper sl was 599.99. I bought the wife a specialized myka ht comp also 2010.

Thanks for the guidance . Can't wait for the bikes to be ready on Thursday.

FYI I also bought topeak m1 and m2 front and rear mudguards for both bikes as the winter is coming and i hope these will minimize water and mud being kicked up. I got evans to price match treadz who have a great offer in which they have both m1 and m2 for 20.99.

I chose Giro Indicator helmets and also bought a pair of hummvee 3/4 length pants. Next I need to buy locks and lights. I will start a separate thread on those

popstar

Rockhopper over Hardrock any day. Get the cheapest Rockhopper you can get, then after winter and many rides, your skills and confidence has grown, just snap a better fork from sales (Merlin Cycles) and you pretty much sorted. Would cleverly avoid service on your standard fork too.

dubcat

Ps. If you are going to go for a 2010 deal like I did then I suggest you do not hang about. In the few days that I faffed about the stock ran out at my local shop and I had to ring round and get one elsewhere.

dubcat

popstar wrote:

Rockhopper over Hardrock any day. Get the cheapest Rockhopper you can get, then after winter and many rides, your skills and confidence has grown, just snap a better fork from sales (Merlin Cycles) and you pretty much sorted. Would cleverly avoid service on your standard fork too.

Thanks for writing this mate! That is exactly the logic I applied and now I feel even more I made the right decision

mac_man

The Hopper is a good solid bike. The forks are not quite as good as what you'll find on the Fury. But worth upgrading to a Rockshox Reba at some point.

The only other niggle about them are the standatd Fasttrak tyres which are great in the dry but total pants when you hit the mud. I swapped them for a set of Maxxis Highrollers in December and they make a big difference in typically British riding conditions.
Am sure you'll have great fun with it.

mac_man

The Hopper is a good solid bike. The forks are not quite as good as what you'll find on the Fury. But worth upgrading to a Rockshox Reba at some point.

The only other niggle about them are the standatd Fasttrak tyres which are great in the dry but total pants when you hit the mud. I swapped them for a set of Maxxis Highrollers in December and they make a big difference in typically British riding conditions.
Am sure you'll have great fun with it.

Empgamer

Planning to go for the Rockhopper here too. Just not sure whether to get a smaller RH for my wife or a Myka like you did.