Cube vs Specialized please help!

SpeedFræk

Hi guys I am really stuck between 3 bikes to buy. I am going to be using in Andalucía, Spain (Where i´ll be living soon) and in Scotland too.

I need something durable and long lasting that will handle well and most of all, be comfortable.

I really like the

Cube Acid 2012

Specialized Rockhopper Comp 2012

or

Specialized Hardrock Sport Disc 2012

Any help or advice would be great, thanks!

Long_Time_Lurker

If they are at the same price point, the Cube will have the better spec.
I wouldn't bother with the Hardrock - the Suntour fork is poor.

Give both a shot and see how they feel. I have a Cube and my mate has a Specialized (not an Acid or Rockhopper though), and they feel completely different.

And there are alternatives...Decathlon Rockriders, Boardmans etc that may give you more bang for your buck.

SpeedFræk

Hi there, thanks for your input. Unfortunately there are no dealers that stock cube bikes close to me, only Evans cycles which has the Specialized models. I thought it would be best to ask here.

For the money i'm looking to get something that is going to perform the best out of the 2 brands. I've been hearing that the Cube Acid is the better deal.

Would be nice to get some more input from other members on this too.

Redhog14

Hi i have a 2008 Spesh Rockhopper, and value for money wise, it is excellent. The only issue I have with it is the head angle is 70deg and I would prefer something slacker. I have written a review on the bike including the parts I have had to replace and upgrade on my blog - see below.

I can't speak for the Cube but a big part of the Spesh thing is the availability of dealers and the lifetime warranty, it has been a very faithful servant and I have put it through quite a lot!

+1 for the Hardrock comment, Suntour forks will not last as long, the spec on the kit is the most important factor here, get the best kit you can, IMHO there is not so much to choose from when it comes to frames.

Twelly

I have just ordered a Cube LTD Pro as I was very impressed by the spec and how it felt/fitted on my test ride. It's not the one you are buying but I would be more inclined to go with the Cube.

Although saying that... my road bike is a Specialized Allez and I'm very impressed with it. Could be better spec'd for the money I paid though... I would imagine the MTB's are the same.

For this price though, as Long Time Lurker says... Decathlon Rockrider 8.1 is a no-brainer really.

SpeedFræk

Hmm from looking at specs It´s between the Spesh rockhopper comp 2012 and the Cube Acid but I really cannot decide, need some more opinions!

Which has the better components, forks and more comfortable? I need to go on opinion because I cannot try the cube :?

qube

Cube FTW!

Great spec, looks, comfy over XC & ST, begs to be ridden & oh yeah, it looks the dogs!

chez_m356

SpeedFræk wrote:

Hmm from looking at specs It´s between the Spesh rockhopper comp 2012 and the Cube Acid but I really cannot decide, need some more opinions!

Which has the better components, forks and more comfortable? I need to go on opinion because I cannot try the cube :?

going by the specs i've just googled, the cube has a better spec than the rockhopper expert, never mind the comp, cube- http://www.cube.eu/en/hard/comp/acid-black-white/ , rockhopper expert- http://www.evanscycles.com/products/spe ... 8#features , bit of a no brainer really

SpeedFræk

OOOH I do think the Cube Acid is sexier

Is the dogs.....

Thanks a lot guys you´ve been a great help!

Fingz999

ive got a acid 2011 and my mate has a rockhopper 2012 weve not had them long but we have both had a swap etc the new cubes specs changed slightly not sure if it still has the slx gear shifters on and the forks are better i believe.

the specialized is a lovely bike to ride feels nice not sure if its the setup on the forks but there very soft,
the cube is again a lovely bike to ride forks are harder which suits me more but in the future on either bike id be looking to change (already chose what i want but will be 12months or so before i get them as i find mine ok for now) remote lockout is good on mine though, the stem on my cube is longer so you get more feel over the bars first thing my mate noticed and is changing his.

only major difference is my cube has 30 gears over 27.

there isnt much in our bikes and wiht a few simple changes you can get a simular spec the one thing i will say is when you order it order some pedals as the cube has metal basket ones the specialized has plastic pedals so both are a bit pants imo.

again there isnt much in them i love my cube and wouldnt change it for the spec but then my mate would prob say the same have a look if there are any second hand for sale near you as if there in new condition even if your not buying them you could have a test ride on it at least

mountaingoatimnot

Cube has much better spec, although without trying it out its perhaps more of a gamble. I have a local dealer who no longer stocks Spesh because he says they've increased prices / de-specced so much this year and no longer represent value for money (perhaps true, perhaps sales patter) If you want to play safe maybe search for a 2011 model Spesh with perhaps better spec.

chez_m356

mountaingoatimnot wrote:

I have a local dealer who no longer stocks Spesh because he says they've increased prices / de-specced so much this year and no longer represent value for money (perhaps true, perhaps sales patter

is very true, this years top hopper has XC30 forks, last years was Recon Gold, year before that was a Reba, but it isn't just spesh, you can see this on all brands to some extent, even Canyon

Plyphon

I bought a Hardrock 2012 about two months ago, love it.

My first MTB so im not really qualified to talk, but its rapid and stable. Handles all singletrack and XC stuff I can throw at it.

I have recently swapped out the SunTour fork for a Recon Silver on sale for 100 notes, such a difference!

I would of bought a bike with a better fork at the start, but I couldn't afford it (bought on finance) outright. Love riding it tho.

SpeedFræk

Thanks for the advice guys, I´m going to buy the Cube Acid once I am back in Spain in 2 weeks time. Seem to be doing better deals there than here.

Thanks again all!