Beginner's Bike Kona or Specialized?

beattie41
beattie41 Posts: 13
edited July 2007 in XC and Enduro
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)

Comments

  • Red Lemon
    Red Lemon Posts: 3,433
    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
    Who me Posts: 493
    Too close to call I'd go hopper but thats only becasue I own one.
  • lugsey2k5
    lugsey2k5 Posts: 960
    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
    dylancrisp Posts: 116
    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
    dylancrisp Posts: 116
    sorry for the typo error fell is meante to be feel

    *_*()"DA KING"()*_*
  • thelomax
    thelomax Posts: 16
    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.
  • 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
    clarkson Posts: 1,641
    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/
    I said hit the brakes not the tree!!

    2006 Specialized Enduro Expert
    http://www.pinkbike.com/photo/3192886/

    2008 Custom Merlin Malt 4
    http://www.pinkbike.com/photo/2962222/

    2008 GT Avalanche Expert
    http://www.pinkbike.com/photo/3453980/
  • 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
    jacktheoc Posts: 1,556
    rockhoper pretty similar just the brakes are better on the rockhopper
  • 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
    http://www.pinkbike.com/photo/1347023/

    KEEPING IT REAL RIDING STEEL
  • dann1992
    dann1992 Posts: 29
    these are both really good bikes for beginners i would go for the rockhopper myself
  • yug33
    yug33 Posts: 76
    Rockhopper for me- have had one since 2001 - upgraded last March to the pro disc comp - its a great bike in my opinion
    Cube Ltd
    Cube Stereo the One
  • dgowenlock
    dgowenlock Posts: 24
    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 :D

    <hr noshade size="1">
    [^] Check out my <font color="red">photography portfolio.</font id="red"> [^]
    <hr noshade size="1">
    <b>|</b> 07 Specialized Stumpjumper Hardtail <b>|</b> Fox F90RL <b>|</b> Avid Juicy 5s <b>|</b> EA70 low risers <b>|</b>
    <hr noshade size="1"><b>|</b> 07 Specialized Stumpjumper Hardtail <b>|</b> Fox F90RL <b>|</b> Avid Juicy 5s <b>|</b> EA70 low risers <b>|</b>
  • fig-crab
    fig-crab Posts: 3
    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
    Red Lemon Posts: 3,433
    <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
    Richiekona Posts: 37
    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
    munchkin2 Posts: 238
    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
    meep, \'Quote\' George Morton " wahoo, I\'m popular again"

    My XTC: http://www.pinkbike.com/photo/?op=list& ... rid=154695
  • 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>
    <center><font color="red"><font face="Comic Sans MS"><b>Part of the Left-handed CommunityTM</b></center></font id="red"></font id="Comic Sans MS">
    Real men keep it RIGID !!
  • clarkson
    clarkson Posts: 1,641
    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.
    I said hit the brakes not the tree!!

    2006 Specialized Enduro Expert
    http://www.pinkbike.com/photo/3192886/

    2008 Custom Merlin Malt 4
    http://www.pinkbike.com/photo/2962222/

    2008 GT Avalanche Expert
    http://www.pinkbike.com/photo/3453980/
  • steelo
    steelo Posts: 542
    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!
    Specialized Rockhopper '07
    Trek Fuel EX8 '09
  • fumps
    fumps Posts: 227
    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 :cry:
    Arrrghhh it's worse than i thought!!!!!