Submitted by
mw2004
a Weekend Warrior
from Redding, Ca, US
Date Reviewed: February 11, 2009
Strengths: quick shifting, tires
Weaknesses: seat comfort
Bottom Line:
I have had this bike since it was new and nearly all of the roughly 100 miles have been off road. I still have the original HARDROCK'R tires but I am thinking of upgrading to the Armadillo XC since I use the bike for commuting and the HR tires howl like bogger truck tires and they pick up everything (sticks, mud, you name it). I love the adjustable front fork and that the fact that it was so light compared to the two crap bikes that I had bought from Walmart they both broke within 24 hours.
I love this bike and will not get rid of it until the frame fails.
Bike Setup: Enduro Grip upgrade, super soft seat for on road use (still have BG seat for when I want to go off road), stock the rest of the way around
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Mitchell
a Weekend Warrior
from Seattle, WA USA
Date Reviewed: July 8, 2005
Strengths: Price, responsive, adjustable suspension, comfortable seat, durability, stable off small drops.
Weaknesses: Strange ergnomics.
Bottom Line:
The bike's ergonomics felt really strange at first, and I had a small bit of buyer's remorse my first couple of times out on my favorite trails. It felt as though I couldn't turn as tight, and though I still think it's true to a degree, I've learned how to lean and ride the technical single track alot better.
I've had no problems with the FD, but I don't use it much on the trails I ride. I've taken small drops and it seems to be fine, though I bet FS would be more stable. The adjustable shock works fine. The bike can take alot of abuse; it's been dropped off bridges, ladders, and teeter totters, ran into a ran with it, slid down some slick downhills, and rode hard over technical terrain. I would easily recommend this bike to anyone.
I'm searching for an upgrade after only 6 months, primarily because the bike is a bit shaky on drops. I feel I can do better if I had a FS. I'd buy this bike again though.
this bike is good for a biginner but needs serious upgrading to be a freeriding machine. to any one who has not dropped the fork do it cuz the judy TT sucks ass
Well, I've started the upgrade process as shown above.
I thought the bike was good as it came off the showroom floor, but with the upgrades I've listed, this bike is lighter, more responsive, easier to climb with; it's just a lot crisper all around. More high performance.
I've got a Rockshox Duke XC fork planned for the front end later this spring.
Strengths: decent frame, relatively strong good shifters good stem seatpost bars seat tires
Weaknesses: i think i might have a hairline crack in the frame from too much djing( i dont even do huge jumps/drops). the derailler pulleys wore out a while ago. the judy preload adj stopped working. the non drivetrain side crankarm is bent. i bent the original rear rim beyond repair. i ruined the third ring. the deraillers stopped shifting correctly after a while
Bottom Line:
dont buy it for freeride(even light stuff, it just wont hold up. if you ride a ton(like me), the stock drivetrain wears out really quickly. a good value for an xc rider, and is lighter than more recent hardrocks. my buddy has a 2002, same model and his is a good pound, pound and a half heavier.
After one year of riding, this bike has allowed me to progress from rail trail riding to real, live single track and technical bushwacking rides that I feel have given the bike a thorough test.
The only complaint I have is the clunking sound coming from the crank/pedal/bb area. Maybe it's just a loose crank, or maybe it's something a little more involved, I don't know. It hasn't bothered me enough to check it, yet. I've ridden the bike pretty hard and it has held up well.
Hose it off, oil the chain, and it's ready for the next ride.
Submitted by
marv
a Cross Country Rider
from SLO, CA
Date Reviewed: August 29, 2002
Strengths: The frame, as with any Specialized bike. Value.
Weaknesses: After riding this bike for over 1.5 years the front derailer needs adjustment after every 3rd ride...it's crap! CRAP I say!
Bottom Line:
This bike is the absolute best-bang-for-the-buck. The Judy shock are ok. The rims are ok. stock tires or ok. front derailer is crap. This is a great beginer XC bike.
Similar Products Used: front derailer = crap I say!
Bike Setup: stock except for Avid V brakes, Kore handle bars and stem, beartrap type pedals, WTB velci raptor tires.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Tim Babb
a Cross Country Rider
from Selma, Al, USA
Date Reviewed: June 18, 2002
Strengths: Kind of light, strong, can take one hell of a beating.
Weaknesses: I had this bike for about a year and now everything is going bad now, crank sucks, bb sucks. Also every time you jump something the screws in the peddles start to come out
Bottom Line:
Its a good bike if you are a beginning rider, but If you want to start racing, I suggest not to upgrade, buy a better one.
Submitted by
Black Rider
a Cross Country Rider
from Nowhere
Date Reviewed: May 29, 2002
Strengths: adaptable to pretty much all kinds of riding, i've used it on streets, trails (sick ones at that), strong fin-butted frame, also very nice looking.
Weaknesses: The highest drop-off the fork will take is 4 ft. Once you can do that, start looking for a Marzocchi
Bottom Line:
For 350$, this bike is awesome. Okay, the fork stinks when compared to the more expensive ones, but i we're going by price value. If you would like to get into XC get this bike. In fact, i dont do a whole lot of off-road with it myself, im doing 200+ mi. road miles per month with it now until i can find enough $$$ to get a road bike. Basically, the only reason i ride is to get places; but when i have time i can show off. Which is basically what mountain biking is all about.
Strengths: its got many gears in the back (8) i have the 2002 shifts fast and smooth lightweight suntour fork ajustible shocks the tires are rockster which are made for hardpack but i have rode hard and went through preety much anything and they keep their grip well.
Weaknesses: the pedals seem like im going to break them. but have still held up
Bottom Line:
this is an exelent bike i would reccomend it to anyone who wants a worthy bike it has a very nice wheel setup great shifter smooth hops up to 3 in a second or less but the seat can hurt somewhat if sat on for a long time shamona setupe very good exelent bike would recomend to anyone
Submitted by
Marv
a Cross Country Rider
from San Luis Obispo, CA
Date Reviewed: February 23, 2002
Strengths: Value (I bargined a little), the frame is somewhat ridged, good response, good welds on frame
Weaknesses: Heavy frame (they musta used heavy grade aluminum alloy) and heavy Rock Shox. paint chips easily
Bottom Line:
Best Bang for the Buck. After 4 months bad squeeking sound coming from bottom braket and two chain links keep binding up. Shimano components are okay. For medium xc and downhill riding I'd upgrade the drivetrain components to Shimano Deore and up. If your're a novice or getting back into riding don't buy this. The parts on this bike are low to mid range. It's a great begineer bike. Since I'm brand loyal I was a little bias okay. This bike reminds me of Honda Cars: massed produce, good value, loyal following, easily upgradeable to perform exceptionally well, and very dependable and durable.
