Specialized Hardrock Sport Disc Vs B'Twin Rockrider 8.1

Stebbil
Stebbil Posts: 10
edited May 2012 in MTB buying advice
Quite simply they are both in my price range, they both get good reviews, they both have a similar spec.

I prefer the look of the specialized and its £50 cheaper, but can anyone tell me if I should go for the Rockrider instead and why.

Links to both are below:
http://www.specializedconceptstore.co.u ... aslashaRED

http://www.decathlon.co.uk/81-2011-id_8168695.html

Many thanks for your help as always

Regards
Stebbil
«1

Comments

  • apreading
    apreading Posts: 4,535
    Hardrock has a great frame but really cheap components and heavy, not very good fork. Was a great bike a couple of years ago before they downgraded the spec and the price went up by nearly 50%...

    RR has an unbelievable spec for the money, fantastic light fork you wont find on another bike anywhere near this price, well regarded by all who have ridden one too.

    No question which of these two would get my money.
  • supersonic
    supersonic Posts: 82,708
    Rockrider by a biog fat country mile. Fork is way, way better.
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  • The Rookie
    The Rookie Posts: 27,812
    The Rockrider is better in almost every respect, where it's not better it's the equal of the Lardrock anyway, no brainer.
    Currently riding a Whyte T130C, X0 drivetrain, Magura Trail brakes converted to mixed wheel size (homebuilt wheels) with 140mm Fox 34 Rhythm and RP23 suspension. 12.2Kg.
  • magicrichard
    magicrichard Posts: 69
    As others have said, the Rockrider has far better specs. If we can't convince you, why not take them both out for a spin. I'd recommend going for the Specialized first, then taking a trip to Decathlon, as i can't believe you'll prefer the Hardrock after you've tried the Rockrider!
  • Stebbil
    Stebbil Posts: 10
    Great advice guys thanks. luckily i am going to a wedding thus weekend in sheffield and there is a decathalon there. the specialized is in plenty if shops near me. i think taking both for a spin is the wsy forwardbut i must admit i hoped more of you would have liked the specialized as i had almost made my mind up - now i am torn again.
  • lostboysaint
    lostboysaint Posts: 4,250
    Another vote for the Rockrider. As has been pointed out the specs AREN'T similar, the Rockrider wins it by a country mile. Decathlon have a very aggresive future development strategy in the UK as well so it won't be long before their support network is much better.
    Trail fun - Transition Bandit
    Road - Wilier Izoard Centaur/Cube Agree C62 Disc
    Allround - Cotic Solaris
  • supersonic
    supersonic Posts: 82,708
    now i am torn again.

    Maybe this will help... if you want a heavier, worse specced bike that has a pogo stick for a fork that will really limit your off road experience, get the Hardrock...
    GT ZASKAR CARBON TEAM

    VOODOO CANZO

    Come and see me at https://www.facebook.com/biketyke/
  • The Rookie
    The Rookie Posts: 27,812
    They were going to call it the Lardrock, realised it would be a marketing own goal and changed the name to Hardrock instead....not true of course but it may as well have been.

    It's prettier I'll give you that, but they all go mud brown soon enough!
    Currently riding a Whyte T130C, X0 drivetrain, Magura Trail brakes converted to mixed wheel size (homebuilt wheels) with 140mm Fox 34 Rhythm and RP23 suspension. 12.2Kg.
  • Frosticles
    Frosticles Posts: 54
    Another vote for the Rockrider. 8)
  • Stebbil
    Stebbil Posts: 10
    What about the cube aim disc 2012? http://www.cyclesense.co.uk/m1b0s2p1197 ... -Disc-2012
  • apreading
    apreading Posts: 4,535
    Stebbil wrote:
    What about the cube aim disc 2012? http://www.cyclesense.co.uk/m1b0s2p1197 ... -Disc-2012

    Its got all the same problems - cheap poor fork and poor components. For that money you should expect a Rockshox Tora fork - the RockRider has the Recon which is the next model up. For that money I would want something better than Alivio and Acera - I got those on a £200 bike a few years back.

    Dont get me wrong, those components are OK if you are paying the right price for them, but the price rises and greediness seem to now be charging £500 for a bike spec that would have been £300 or less a couple of years ago.

    The Rockrider would always have been and still is a steal at £500.

    If you want an alternative, there are some cheap old model Konas at places like PaulsCycles on the web or the Carrera Kraken from Halfords aint bad value when there is an offer on. None of these compare to the Rockrider but they are better than the other options you have mentioned here.
  • Stebbil
    Stebbil Posts: 10
    Arrgh. I just wish i liked the look of the decathalon bike but in my opinion its an ugly bike. Should i go with looks or quality? I think i know what you will all tell me but will i regret buying a bike i simply just dont like the look of. Is there a compromise out yhere somewhere? HELP!
  • supersonic
    supersonic Posts: 82,708
    Looks are subjective, it is impossible to advise on that.

    Parts are much more objective. Most on here will advise on good parts and good performing bikes as we want you to enjoy your experience. You can't see the damn thing when riding it (I advise looking where you are going) and if others are looking at your bike then they are not looking where they are going. So makes no difference eh?

    Get the Rockrider, a proper bike.
    GT ZASKAR CARBON TEAM

    VOODOO CANZO

    Come and see me at https://www.facebook.com/biketyke/
  • chez_m356
    chez_m356 Posts: 1,893
    Stebbil wrote:
    Arrgh. I just wish i liked the look of the decathalon bike but in my opinion its an ugly bike. Should i go with looks or quality? I think i know what you will all tell me but will i regret buying a bike i simply just dont like the look of. Is there a compromise out yhere somewhere? HELP!
    the hardrock is a nice looking bike, which is probably why it sells, that and the spesh name, but to get it anywhere near the level of the 8.1, you would be spending about the same as the hardrock cost you in the first place, believe me, i'm speaking from experience, if you really don't like the look of the 8.1, then i would suggest looking at carrera or voodoo bikes, maybe not as good spec wise as the 8.1, but better than the hardrock
    Specialized Hardrock Sport Disc 10- CANYON Nerve AM 6 2011
  • apreading
    apreading Posts: 4,535
    You should see the Rockrider in the flesh - the pictures dont do it justice.

    Also, the flashier a bike looks, the quicker it gets nicked in my opinion. I prefer understated looks personally.
  • Stebbil
    Stebbil Posts: 10
    Well i have been and looked at the spesh and its a nice looking bike. Of course the guy in the shop was singing its praises. Am off to look at the 8.1 tomorrow and will make a decision once i see it in the flrsh. Fingers crossed I prefer it once I see it
  • The Rookie
    The Rookie Posts: 27,812
    Don't get the Spesh, if you want something that looks 'nicer' than the RR, check out the Voodoo Hoodoo at Halfords, not as good a spec as the RR, but close, and far from a bad bike.
    http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stor ... yId_165499
    Or the Kraken
    http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stor ... yId_165499
    Currently riding a Whyte T130C, X0 drivetrain, Magura Trail brakes converted to mixed wheel size (homebuilt wheels) with 140mm Fox 34 Rhythm and RP23 suspension. 12.2Kg.
  • Stebbil
    Stebbil Posts: 10
    Well i ended up listening to you all and went with the rockrider. It looks great in the flesh and am really happy with it. The guy who served me at decathalon was fantastic - really helpful and wadnt trying to push for a sale. Thanks to everyone who helped me out on this forum, you expertly advised me to go for the best bike for my money. Cheers, Stebbil
  • The Rookie
    The Rookie Posts: 27,812
    Good choice - now as the song said "get on and ride"
    Currently riding a Whyte T130C, X0 drivetrain, Magura Trail brakes converted to mixed wheel size (homebuilt wheels) with 140mm Fox 34 Rhythm and RP23 suspension. 12.2Kg.
  • apreading
    apreading Posts: 4,535
    The pictures on the web just dont do it justice - it looks great in the flesh doesnt it?

    Enjoy riding it - should be a blast...!
  • juice370
    juice370 Posts: 12
    Stebbil, give us your thoughts on the bike?

    I'm on the same budget, I personally don't like the hardrock and was looking at the Scott Aspect 40 and the Carrera Kraken. I may be swayed to the RR that I'd never even heard of until now.

    Are there any Decathlon discount codes knocking about?
  • Frosticles
    Frosticles Posts: 54
    Great choice and a great bike. Enjoy. 8)
  • clydefrog
    clydefrog Posts: 162
    edited April 2012
    It is ugly but the spec is unbelievable for £500, what's wrong with it? :P I was also looking at that Hardrock sport disc originally and you can do so much better for that price range, it's ridiculous how many big name bikes that cost even upto around £700 still have some of the lowest end stuff e.g. shimano acera gears.
  • supersonic
    supersonic Posts: 82,708
    Nothing at all! Superb bike (built by Merida - who make Specialized, Carrera, and Boardman to name a few), great spec, and the forks are very good.
    GT ZASKAR CARBON TEAM

    VOODOO CANZO

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  • clydefrog
    clydefrog Posts: 162
    supersonic wrote:
    Nothing at all! Superb bike (built by Merida - who make Specialized, Carrera, and Boardman to name a few), great spec, and the forks are very good.


    I've read a lot of times that Merida no longer make the Carrera frames, Halfords had some kind of falling out with them a while ago and changed to somebody else.
  • supersonic
    supersonic Posts: 82,708
    Nah, they still do. Well some of them, they have used two suppliers. They make Boardman, all of them.
    GT ZASKAR CARBON TEAM

    VOODOO CANZO

    Come and see me at https://www.facebook.com/biketyke/
  • chez_m356
    chez_m356 Posts: 1,893
    clydefrog wrote:
    supersonic wrote:
    Nothing at all! Superb bike (built by Merida - who make Specialized, Carrera, and Boardman to name a few), great spec, and the forks are very good.


    I've read a lot of times that Merida no longer make the Carrera frames, Halfords had some kind of falling out with them a while ago and changed to somebody else.
    that would be awkward since they not only build boardman's but actually own boardman too
    Specialized Hardrock Sport Disc 10- CANYON Nerve AM 6 2011
  • clydefrog
    clydefrog Posts: 162
    Could've been misinformation, it's just what I'd read from a few different people when seeing discussions on Carrera's.
  • chez_m356
    chez_m356 Posts: 1,893
    clydefrog wrote:
    Could've been misinformation, it's just what I'd read from a few different people when seeing discussions on Carrera's.
    the only two things that people really need to know about carrera's is 1, they are generally highly underrated, and 2, if you buy one, give it a thorough check over before you ride it :wink:
    Specialized Hardrock Sport Disc 10- CANYON Nerve AM 6 2011
  • juice370
    juice370 Posts: 12
    Asked in Decathlon about the 2012 Rockrider 8.1. Apparently its due July 2012 and the colour is black/dark grey/blue from the image I saw. I didn't see much as he was hesitant to show me, but it looked nice from what I saw!

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