SPECIALIZED Hardrock Pro Disc or CANNONDALE F5. XC HARDTAIL

ataraxia25uk
ataraxia25uk Posts: 6
edited December 2007 in MTB beginners
I am looking to buy a new bike and can get one of these from a local dealer, which would you recommend?

The Cannondale is £70 more expensive; that doesn't really bother me, but is it worth the extra expense?

Grateful for any advice as this is myfirst mountain bike.

Comments

  • I have had a Hardrock Sport disc, (my first MTB for many years) for about 6 months. It's only let down slightly by the forks being bouncy, which are upgraded on the Pro model anyway I think. Other than that, it's great value and has coped well everywhere I've taken it. Thoroughly recommended.
  • sjburbidge wrote:
    I have had a Hardrock Sport disc, (my first MTB for many years) for about 6 months. It's only let down slightly by the forks being bouncy, which are upgraded on the Pro model anyway I think. Other than that, it's great value and has coped well everywhere I've taken it. Thoroughly recommended.

    Thanks for the feedback. A friend of mine has a Cannondale roadbike and is pushing me that way, however I want feedback like yours so that I can make the right call.
  • cannondale have great frames so are good for upgrading (which will happen) my choice would be the cannondale.
  • cannondale have great frames so are good for upgrading (which will happen) my choice would be the cannondale.

    Doing a bit of research on the web it appears that upgrading is almost inevitable (and addictive).

    What are the upgrade paths like for both bikes. Does the Cannondale have the better frame?
  • I don't know about this particular one but cannondales have a bit of a history i think of having really nice frames and not quite as nice parts. so the cannondale will have the better frame in quality but whether it'll suit you is another matter. If you can try them out and ride them.
    If you know you are going to upgrade I'd get the cannondale.
  • nonnac85
    nonnac85 Posts: 1,608
    i have a hardrock and its stood up very well to doing jumps, dual, 4x etc at chicksands. i would say build quality is good and the frame is strong.
    My Website - Trail Centre info for the UK: MTB Trail Time
  • supersonic
    supersonic Posts: 82,708
    The cannondale frame is far far better than the hardrock, and the whole bike a good 3 or 4 lbs less in weight. Try them out, see how they feel.
  • Thanks for all the feedback guys; I will test ride both bikes and let you know what I end up buying.
  • i've had my hardrock pro for a few years and its had a bit of a battering over this time- stood up really well to it all.
  • i've had my hardrock pro for a few years and its had a bit of a battering over this time- stood up really well to it all.
  • clas
    clas Posts: 187
    my missus had a hardrock. It stood up to (very) light freeriding. cannondale have good frames but out on the trails over the years I have seen more cannondales with cracked frames than anything else. they have the reputatiuon "crakandfail"!
    Their beefy frames are the mutts however (just look at the prophet and its bigger sibling! drool ) having said that ...
    having seen the appalling abuse the wife laid out to the specialised (before the eldest daughter took it over) I would go for the specialized over the more exotic and possibly less robust dale.
    I never touched it! It was broke when I got here.
  • supersonic
    supersonic Posts: 82,708
    The 2008 pro disc is not the same as the 2007 - its 150 quid cheaper.