Hardrock... or Rockhopper?

rich hand

I'm wondering if it is worth getting the Hardrock Pro or just going for the base disc Hardrock and then upgrading components in time if they bust.

In this case, are the bikes in Hardrock Disc range all the same apart from the components?

The other option would be the base Rockhopper. What do you think?

I will be using this bike for a couple of years to see what type of riding I will want to be doing, then I may upgrade or change.

Cheers

supersonic

The basic Hardrock and Hardrock Sport have nice frames, but bloody awful components for the money. The Hardrock Comp is better by way of its fork and drivetrain. If you have th emoney now I'd start with at least the Comp. Actually I would buy a Carrera or Boardman if they fit, far better value.

cooldad

Some links would help. Most people don't memorise the specs.

darpots

I have both Hardrock and Rockhopper in my family, and if your choice HAS to be between those 2 then go for the Rockhopper. Better components even on the base Rockhopper, and a fairly decent fork (albeit that is the first thing you will upgrade when you have the cash)

Spesh make good bikes, but there are many other bikes offering much better value. Boardman, Voodoo Bakor, Genesis, and a whole load of others.

thefartingcockeral

Specialized Rockhopper: IMO one of the best multi-use recreational MTB's ever made.
Have owned one for 7 years and all I do is keep riding and replacing parts as they wear.
Incidently i have owned most brands of MTBs as well, even expensive ones and they have been sold and my 'hopper is till a solid reliable fun workhorse.

rich hand

problem is I will be in NZ when I buy the bike. NZ does not have the choice we have, I also am not sure what type of riding I will be doing so did not want to spend too much on a hardtail if I will be changing to full suspension.

rockmonkeysc

I would go for the basic Hardrock disc & spend some of the money you save on a set of Rockshox Recon forks & a Shimano Deore crank set. The components on the higher spec hardrock models still arent that great.
The frame is great. Mine started off as a basic Hardrock disc, got upgraded with Rockshox Tora forks, Shimano Deore transmission, Avid Juicy brakes & some better wheels. When I got my full sus xc bike it didn't get much use so I have now converted it to single speed which has made it more interesting to ride again. Rigid forks could be the next modification

supersonic

But if you are going to spend all that, why not just get a Hopper which has even a better frame? As standard, the Hardrock disc is poor and needs a lot of money to get it up to the standard of the mid range Rockhopper. It even has steel bars!

http://www.leisurewheels.co.uk/products ... 6915&rs=gb

Coolnick

I had a similar dilemma 7 yrs ago and went with the entry Rockhopper. Happy to say I have no regrets at all. Good frame which I have since upgraded with discs, fork, saddle etc. Wheelset is next. Always been told to buy the best frame you can afford.

Richie63

Reading this thread, I have another take on this. I've a rockhopper comp with rebas on. But wish to get a better hardtail. Now do I keep the frame and upgrade the drive train etc . Or can someone point me in he direction of a worthy successor?

supersonic

What is your goal? Lighter weight? Softer ride? Or maybe a different riding position?

And of course, what budget? ;-)

Richie63

Well lighter would be the primary goal the bike has been excellent and taken a good hammering and as for ride position and ride feel I am happy with it. the thing is I just feel that a change is on the horizon . Cost is not a consideration though I'm not in any way a weight watcher.

I did consider getting a small travel FS as a replacement

I usually use the HT when riding the white peak.

supersonic

A new tyre and wheelset can injext some zest to a loved bike.

Richie63

Um, now that's a thought I'll have a look around for a set , I did see a set of iodine cBros wheels on crc the other day and always liked the look of them.

but as a frame the rockhopper takes some beating in other words? for what it is, you're saying.

supersonic

Yes, not many alu frames that beat it on bikes less than 1500.

Iodines are expensive for whatyou get.

These are amazing for the money:

http://www.discountcyclesdirect.co.uk/p ... s_id=11272

Look at the weight!

Richie63

300 for 1.4ish Kg the pair and tubless not bad.

Yes they look great

rich hand

ok, well in NZ I can get a Hardrock pro disc for the equivalent of £500 and the base Rockhopper for £750. Is the latter worth the extra?

rich hand

actually I can get a Rockhopper Comp for the equivalent of £680 but I here it isn't as good as the standard Rockhopper

dhutch

Ive also had two hardrocks and 04pro and an 00comp before it, until i moved to rockhopper disk because spec and frame wise it was streaks ahead of the hardrock comp/pro and i must say i've not looked back. Cant compare that to the newer rockhoppers but i have a hardrock 09disk (insurance replacement for the 04, sadly) and its not a patch on the 04 in terms of component feel although dont get me wrong, it works.

My dad has an 08 hardrock pro, with the bb5 cable disks which are better, but the forks lasted days (literally, locked up after about 6days use spread over a year) and for the money there are offerings with cost effective hydro disks that show up the bb5 on performance imo.


Daniel

popstar

Hardrock = Donkey
Rockhopper = Horse

My wife's bike is Hardrock Sport 2010, and Rockhopper Expert SL 2010 was mine. Needless to say when upgraded to 140FS bike I still miss it to this day, and wish could sell Hardrock instead and convince my wife to ride Rockhopper. Silly woman still thinks to this day it's all about nicest colours. I treated her bike to Reba's and all things did improve but still there is no liveliness / springiness to frame like on Rockhoppers.

Richie upgrading to lighter wheels on Rockhopper will change that bike no end. At ~1.5kg a pair of wheels the bike will become a rocket!

I still think that Rockhopper is underrated bike, didn't ride any better short travel bikes to this date. IMHO.

toastedone

My RH is my first introduction to MTB's and tbh i love it, I bought it as i did not want to spend £1000's on a bike and find i was not enjoying it, but I can honestly say that i itch to get out on my bike as much as possible.

i find it light, fast and i have 100% trust in it, After 2 months i find my self doing stuff i never imagined i would, the bike gives me a confidence boost.

bertypreston

http://www.bikeradar.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=12786457

Hi , im selling an unused rockhopper pro if your interested , see link , Rob