Specialized Hardrock Disc 2012 (mods on a budget)

evovilol

So, another Hardrock you say? Well I couldn't resist posting it here to see what people have to say. I'm pretty new to cycling and certainly haven't fiddled around with upgrading parts and so on before. Decided to get myself a reasonably cheap bike to have some fun with and for commuting to work.

This is what's happened to it since purchase...

• New fork: RockShox XC30 w/ remote lockout
• New wheels: Superstar Tesla / Pacenti TL28's
• New pedals: Wellgo MG1's.
• New saddle: Nukeproof Plasma Core, small/narrow
• New seatpost: Specialized Pro 2 Alloy MTB Seat Post
• New seatpost collar: Thomson
• New handlebar: Easton EA70 XC flat bar
• New stem: CarbonCycles eXotic 60mm aluminium
• New tires: Schwalbe Smart Sam (any other lighter suggestions?)
• New quick releases: 9mm axle for front (made a massive difference) and a lighter QR for rear wheel
• Organic brake pads (less squealing!)

Have managed to not spend a million pounds and the bike is now roughly 13kg so reasonably happy with that. New tires and tubes should take it under 13kg. Not expecting miracles here but it's fun! :-)


http://img441.imageshack.us/img441/8391/img20130406161448edited.jpg

I think the next thing to probably get an upgrade is the drivetrain, mainly because it'll probably fall apart before next winter and I'd like a few more gears and different ratios for my current riding.

Anyone else have any interesting suggestions for it?


http://img542.imageshack.us/img542/9282/img20130406161454.jpg


http://img7.imageshack.us/img7/3567/img20130406161531.jpg


http://img560.imageshack.us/img560/3667/img20130406161536.jpg

Seatpost and collar: http://img571.imageshack.us/img571/2314/img20130406161641.jpg

Fork right side lockout mech: http://img856.imageshack.us/img856/344/img20130406161709.jpg

Pedals, front mech stuff: http://img571.imageshack.us/img571/746/img20130406161606.jpg

Handlebar, left side, PopLoc: http://img23.imageshack.us/img23/3807/img20130406161556.jpg

Handlebar, side: http://img834.imageshack.us/img834/3171/img20130406161553.jpg

Handlebar, front: http://img854.imageshack.us/img854/8673/img20130406161541.jpg

Giraffoto

Looks good so far. How long have you had those wheels, and how are you finding them?

evovilol

Giraffoto wrote:

Looks good so far. How long have you had those wheels, and how are you finding them?

Only had the wheels for a week or so... So far they're all that I expected them to be compared to the stock Alex Rims wheels:

• Stiffer / less 'give' / more 'feel'. Don't quite know how to describe it. They transfer whatever is happening to them much more effectively to the rest of the bike / frame. It's a harder ride but a more honest one I suppose.
• Better engagement in the rear hub (60 pts. new hub / 16 pts. old hub)
• Front hub has got a 9mm adapter so I can use a 9mm QR axle which makes the fork so much stiffer and predictable as well.
• Much lighter

Struggled to decide between the Pacenti CL25 and the TL28 with regards to the width of the rim but I think I made a good choice. The wider rim makes for a better tire profile which helps in the cornering I've noticed.

I expected the rear hub to be noisier but it's in fact pretty quiet.

pesky_jones

I like that colour, its like a matt gray? Ive got a hardrock disc 2012 as well but havn't changed anything yet. I've been in two minds between keeping the hardrock and upgrading componenets to make it a really fast and light XC bike or to swap it out for a more aggresive hardtail frame, for downhill and freeridey stuff. I think im just going to keep to the full sus patriot for downhill and freeride and upgrade the hardrock. They are really nice frames and strong as well.

evovilol

Pesky Jones wrote:

I like that colour, its like a matt gray? Ive got a hardrock disc 2012 as well but havn't changed anything yet. I've been in two minds between keeping the hardrock and upgrading componenets to make it a really fast and light XC bike or to swap it out for a more aggresive hardtail frame, for downhill and freeridey stuff. I think im just going to keep to the full sus patriot for downhill and freeride and upgrade the hardrock. They are really nice frames and strong as well.

It's matte black (looks dark gray depending on light). Don't like glossy finishes or decals so took most of them off.

I was in two minds about getting a new bike or upgrading this one. Turned out it wasn't much of a decision to make as I simply don't have the space to tinker / store two bikes currently so decided I'll have some fun with this one. Primarily make it lighter and more responsive.

The only downside I've found with the frame so far is that the cables rub the paint off (top of the down tube). Maybe a new harder wearing paint is in order at some point or better cable routing...

mcnultycop

evovilol wrote:

Pesky Jones wrote:

The only downside I've found with the frame so far is that the cables rub the paint off (top of the down tube). Maybe a new harder wearing paint is in order at some point or better cable routing...

Just get some heli tape.

chez_m356

mcnultycop wrote:

evovilol wrote:

Pesky Jones wrote:

The only downside I've found with the frame so far is that the cables rub the paint off (top of the down tube). Maybe a new harder wearing paint is in order at some point or better cable routing...

Just get some heli tape.

this exactly, forget the paint, cables can wear through frames

Plyphon

They look sick in black, much better than mine did in grey!

evovilol

Cheers for the replies guys. Never heard of 'heli tape' myself before... Any recommendations on UK online stores that would have it (or other applicable product)?

My understanding is there are many variations of tape that achieve roughly the same thing but couldn't find anywhere to get it when Googling briefly last night...

evovilol

Plyphon wrote:

They look sick in black, much better than mine did in grey!

Maybe I should get black clothing as well, MTB forest trail ninja... 8)

pesky_jones

Plyphon wrote:

They look sick in black, much better than mine did in grey!

I got my hardrock sport disc 12 in grey, I really like the sparkly, speckled effect. Ideally I'd like to be able to have the whole frame with this effect, without the "specialized" paint job - I don't think they're decals.

mcnultycop

evovilol wrote:

My understanding is there are many variations of tape that achieve roughly the same thing but couldn't find anywhere to get it when Googling briefly last night...

eBay, people say to stick to the 3m stuff, I've used the cheaper stuff and it is fine and hasn't yellowed.

Biketart

MrPhil

I can supply Helitape from £5

240micron or 135micron (135micron is more expensive to buy in)

£5 for 50mm x 1000mm
£9 for 100mm x 1000mm

For chain stays the 235micron has more protection and wear rate (mine lasted 9 months before the cable worn through it)

Plyphon

Pesky Jones wrote:

Plyphon wrote:

They look sick in black, much better than mine did in grey!

I got my hardrock sport disc 12 in grey, I really like the sparkly, speckled effect. Ideally I'd like to be able to have the whole frame with this effect, without the "specialized" paint job - I don't think they're decals.

Yeah same - I always wished mine was that plain grey - the decals are under the clear coat.

I was also impressed by the metal flake grey - did look really nice in the sun.

But since as you all no we no longer have any sun....

pesky_jones

Plyphon wrote:

Pesky Jones wrote:

Plyphon wrote:

They look sick in black, much better than mine did in grey!

I got my hardrock sport disc 12 in grey, I really like the sparkly, speckled effect. Ideally I'd like to be able to have the whole frame with this effect, without the "specialized" paint job - I don't think they're decals.

Yeah same - I always wished mine was that plain grey - the decals are under the clear coat.

I was also impressed by the metal flake grey - did look really nice in the sun.

But since as you all no we no longer have any sun....

I think mine may be the metal flake grey, it's the same paint job as the one in this thread...

viewtopic.php?f=10017&t=12841233&p=17496757&hilit=specialized+hardrock+2012#p17496757

evovilol

Pesky Jones wrote:

Plyphon wrote:

Pesky Jones wrote:

Plyphon wrote:

They look sick in black, much better than mine did in grey!

I got my hardrock sport disc 12 in grey, I really like the sparkly, speckled effect. Ideally I'd like to be able to have the whole frame with this effect, without the "specialized" paint job - I don't think they're decals.

Yeah same - I always wished mine was that plain grey - the decals are under the clear coat.

I was also impressed by the metal flake grey - did look really nice in the sun.

But since as you all no we no longer have any sun....

I think mine may be the metal flake grey, it's the same paint job as the one in this thread...

viewtopic.php?f=10017&t=12841233&p=17496757&hilit=specialized+hardrock+2012#p17496757

That's a nice finish. Does it stand up to the cables rubbing at the top of the down tube?

On a related note, how are the WellGo pedals doing in terms of paint rubbing off / chipping?

pesky_jones

Yeah it is although it is much better up close, but I'd rather it didnt have all the specialized writing and little streaks of white and black, so it was just the cool grey all over.

Thats not my bike in relation to your question about pedals by the way, I was just showing the colour scheme.

pesky_jones

Oh, and the paint job hasnt been affected in the slightest by cable rub.

evovilol

Pesky Jones wrote:

Oh, and the paint job hasnt been affected in the slightest by cable rub.

A bit jealous... Definitely gonna look into the whole heli tape tape business when I get a chance.

Not that it's a massive problem but it's never going to get any better unless I do something.

Bon C

good

Chunkers1980

Pretty sure you rear disc is on the wrong way around.

Bon C

delete

Lewis A

Just had a quick look, the rear is definitely going the opposite way, is it f/rear specific?

ilovedirt

Rear rotor is definitely on the wrong way around in the first set of photos.

Bon C

delete

Twelly

+1 for rear rotor wrong way round!

Bon C

delete

poah

rear is on wrong way

Bon C

delete

Chunkers1980

That's not the same as the first picture! That ^^ is the correct way around!

Bon C

delete