Beginner's Bike Kona or Specialized?

beattie41

Hey,

I understand you're probably sick of answering questions from newbies just like me but hopefully you could help me out in my decision making.

KK, so I'm goin to be buying my first bike in October or November as I'm told that's the best time to get a good deal. After reading some articles I've narrowed it down to two bikes:

The Kona Blast looks like an excellent bike. What are your thoughts on it?
http://www.evanscycles.com/product.jsp?style=70183
-and-
Specialized Rockhopper Disc 2006 with Avid Juicy 5 hydraulic discs.
http://www.evanscycles.com/product.jsp?style=60160

They are both the same price so I cannot make my mind up. Is the componentry in the Specialized better but has the Kona a better feel to it?

Maybe you're not allowed to discuss this but where is the best place to buy from (I'm over here in NI so it, i'm guessin', has to be online).

Thanks in anticipation,

beattie41

P.S. I'm away for a cycle around my local forest on my Barracuda :(:( (Hopefully it'll hold this cycle)

Red Lemon

Being an end-of-season 2006 bike, the Rockhopper has a œ100 better budget to work with in the first place. The Specialized undeniably has better brakes, and maybe slightly shinier components, but there's nothing bad about the parts on the Kona. The handlebars handle, the stem stems and seatpost posts.

For a beginner, I'd actually go with the Kona. They have very tough frames with excellent handling that's reassuring when you first start out, but never gets boring. I still love riding my 2004 Fire Mountain, even though I'm much, much better than I was when I bought it.

Who me

Too close to call I'd go hopper but thats only becasue I own one.

lugsey2k5

hi
i go for rockhopper i own a kona which i love the feel of but the RH has the better parts plus the juicy 5s are sh*t hot

dylancrisp

The components on the rockhopper are better but really it's up to you. Personaly i would go for the one I fell better on and more cumfortable on,
Hopes this Helps

*_*()"DA KING"()*_*

dylancrisp

sorry for the typo error fell is meante to be feel

*_*()"DA KING"()*_*

thelomax

NI is Northern Ireland right? After just getting my own bike I wish I'd tried to research more into each bike and test rode more, but went into 1 shop, test rode one bike and bought it! Although it is a good bike (it needs better tyres, pedels etc) to get me back into MTB I wish I'd rode more so I new it was best for me. A Marin Hawkhill by the way. Waffle waffle. What I'm trying to say is get a test ride. Found this from my mate google http://www.cycleni.com/index.cfm/sectio ... page/shops it's a NI bike shop list.

hithesl0pes

hi all, this post is not really an answer to the question but an addition. i'm in much of the same dilema at the moment, looking for a new bike, have been looking at the rockhopper disk/comp 06 models online and ebay. obviously this is not the only bike out there. do you guys have any suggestions as to other bikes of similar spec's/ price.
any help would be greatly recieved guys
Cheers Jared

clarkson

id go for the rockhopper, but thats only because ive ridden one. try and get out on both if you cna.

I said hit the brakes not the tree!!
My GT
http://www.pinkbike.com/photo/1315543/

hickster5000

Last years Rockhopper is a great bike. Good geometry, reasonably light weight and easy to point both up and down hills. The brakes on it are awesome and require very little maintenance. The components onthe standard build are pretty good, although I've already put on new bars, stem and tyres (standard tyres are pretty naff in the mud). The forks could do with being a bit better, but for œ550 you're getting a lot of bike for the money.

But like the other guys say, try them both on for size first

jacktheoc

rockhoper pretty similar just the brakes are better on the rockhopper

chilled rider

specialized much better build for you. In saying that kona's are great bikes(although my rear drop out snapped on my caldera GRRRR)

http://www.pinkbike.com/photo/1347023/

KEEPING IT REAL RIDING STEEL

dann1992

these are both really good bikes for beginners i would go for the rockhopper myself

ashleymp777

Yep, hopper definitely!

S-Works Hardtail:

http://www.pinkbike.com/photo/?op=list& ... rid=124988

yug33

Rockhopper for me- have had one since 2001 - upgraded last March to the pro disc comp - its a great bike in my opinion

dgowenlock

Just recently got a Specialised bike, and have been so impressed with it. Looked at the Rockhopper too and its pretty similar, so I'd say go with that. Have fun on it

<hr noshade size="1">
[^] Check out my <font color="red">photography portfolio.</font id="red"> [^]
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<b>|</b> 07 Specialized Stumpjumper Hardtail <b>|</b> Fox F90RL <b>|</b> Avid Juicy 5s <b>|</b> EA70 low risers <b>|</b>

fig-crab

i myself am looking at getting a rockhopper disc at the moment. how come it has juicy 5s? i would definately go for the rocky. Kona's are overpriced and they ain't all that.
i have always had specialized and they've never let me down.

Red Lemon

<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by fig-crab</i>
i have always had specialized
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">
So then you're not the best person to give opinions on Konas, are you?

Richiekona

The Kona will be a good bike and will take alot of punishment. The main reason for buying a Kona is the frame as the guys at Kona know what dimensions work.
Components can be upgraded as you improve.
I always had Kona's and Giant's and all have been good bikes.
[:)]

munchkin2

i would go for the speciaized just because of the components. They are better than the Konas, however you may hate the riding position so if you can, test them both.

meep, 'Quote' George Morton " wahoo, I'm popular again"

My XTC: http://www.pinkbike.com/photo/?op=list& ... rid=154695

RetroYetiRigid

I've had both Kona's and Speccy's (albeit older ones) and have always preferred Kona's.
If you can ride both and then make your decision.

<hr noshade size="1"><center>Real men keep it RIGID !!</center>
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clarkson

id say the rockhopper. i own a spesh and they are great fun to ride, and the rockhopper has fantastic handling. definately not a boring bike, and the components are excellant too.

steelo

Just a note to say that the Specialized Rockhopper Disc shown on Evans Cycles is only available in a 13inch frame. Not exactly an adult sized bike! When they have past season stock make sure you check the frame sizes available, the regular (17-21") frame sizes go quite quickly with popular style frames so be warned!

fumps

steelo wrote:

Just a note to say that the Specialized Rockhopper Disc shown on Evans Cycles is only available in a 13inch frame. Not exactly an adult sized bike! When they have past season stock make sure you check the frame sizes available, the regular (17-21") frame sizes go quite quickly with popular style frames so be warned!

I was about to point that out dude. I fell for that too i had my bank card out to give them a call & saw the frame size......bugger