Submitted by
Charlie Chao
a Cross Country Rider
from Flagstaff, AZ, USA
Date Reviewed: December 1, 2008
Strengths: Single speed is easy to maintain. Frame is burly and will withstand significant drops. Wide handlebars and geometry inspire confidence.
Weaknesses: Very heavy, nearly impossible to ride trails without changing many parts. Fork is built for drops, not very responsive otherwise.
Bottom Line:
It rides reasonably well, tough enough for the most abusive of riders. Requires many parts to ride anywhere other than urban. I've really become accustomed to this bike and like the geometry quite a bit. Put at least 1,000 miles on it this season and the only problem that I've had is a bolt loosening on the cranks.
Similar Products Used: 99 Giant XTC, 94 Litespeed Obed
Bike Setup: WTB saddle, Titec Hellbent post, Avid BB7, Tektro Brake levers, stock aluminum bar. 70 mm stem, WTB Laserdisc Trails, LX hubs, isis BB, stock cranks, LX clipless, LZ comp 100mm Fork
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Doug C
a Weekend Warrior
from Flagstaff, AZ
Date Reviewed: September 3, 2007
Strengths: Priced well, good spec,darn-near indestructible, made the transition from bmx to mtn biking nice and easy.
Weaknesses: Fork was so-so but held up to stair landings 10 stair drops, xc riding and some bad cases and the dirt jumps. The brakes need upgraded, but they work well enough. Everything else took it like a champ.
Bottom Line:
The stock seat is bent to heck and the bottom bracket bearings hate me and groan and pop. I don't think I have ever spent 450 dollars on anything better.
Strengths: Frame seems pretty tough so far. I've put at least 300mi on this frame around town and it's more than fine. I have friends that use them for ALOT harder riding than they are designed for, and the frame is still solid, even after a few years of abuse.
Weaknesses: I like to try to think of something to make a well rounded review, but I can't. This bike is perfect doing exactly what I bought it for, wheelies.
Bottom Line:
If you are in the market for a fairly basic bike, that can take the occasional misuse, you won't find a better one for the money.
Similar Products Used: Other model hardrocks, Balfa Minuteman
Bike Setup: Stock + e13 bash guard, and some hydro brakes.
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
Brian M.
a Cross Country Rider
from Anchorage AK
Date Reviewed: November 29, 2005
Strengths: Great and FUN bike for the price, and I LOVE that single speed. "One Speed Is All You Need". You have dual disc brakes, etc. ALOT of bike for the money.
Weaknesses: Stock Chain Tensioner. I adjusted mine.
Bottom Line:
I'm a big fan of Specialized (no I do not work for them). It's an GREAT and FUN bike to ride. I use to HATE mt. bikes, until I got turned on to the SS. It's NOT A DH/FR bike. NOT a big hit bike. Thats not what it's was built for. It's an entry level xc rider. I've done some light upgrades to make it lighter and FUNNER to ride. (Hit Ebay. You'll find some GREAT deals...) It's a GREAT bike, GREAT price. If you'll lookin' for a DownHill/FreeRide KILLER, or DirtJumper... This is the wrong bike. You need maybe a Specialized P2, or??? Anyways, that my two cents... regards...
Bike Setup: '04 Specialized Hardrock SS Disc. Upgraded the bars Race Face Deus XC, seat post Race Face XY, brake levels Avid Ti, AVID Straight Jacket disc brake cables, and tires to Panaracer Cinder 26x2.25. Looking to upgrade the stem to a Race Face or Thomson, and the rims to, SL/XL :)???
Strengths: Price and frame (bullet proof and can withstand anything you throw at it)
Weaknesses: None for the money except maybe the hard ass seat.
Bottom Line:
No problems after I installed the chain tensioner correctly. The chain needs to ride over the tensioner pushing up on the chain instead of riding under it with the chain being pushed down. If you're looking for your first single speed with good trail and urban capability at a good price point this bike is for you.
The bottom line is that this bike is cheap name brand everything works great after riding for awhile. Nothing brakes. The only thing is that there are a couple of things that arent the best but there so small it doesnt make a difference. If you buy a more expensive bike your spending so much money for just a little better quality.
Submitted by
Ian Hass
a Downhiller
from Duluth, MN USA
Date Reviewed: July 6, 2005
Strengths: *Affordability *Strength and Ridgidity *Stock Freewheel is flawless *Stock stem/handlebars seem to hold up well... *A SOLID performing platform for whatever your dream hardtail may be!
Weaknesses: *Stock Chain Tensioner (Take ONE short ride, pedal hard/quickly. You will soon understand.) *Stock brake levers are of a very simple design, provide fair to poor modulation, however, very ridgid and have good power transfer. *Stock saddle is NOT intended for aggressive use. Urban/downhill/freeriders will replace their broken saddle shortly after buying. *Marzocchi MZ fork. A good xc fork, not good for any kind of aggressive riding. After 1 year, you can measure the flex of my lowers in centimetres (nearly inches!)
Bottom Line:
This bike is AWESOME for an entry-level singlespeed. The new '05 models have horizontal fork ends in lieu of vertical dropouts, so the problems with the tensioner are aleviated. Good XC trainer. I have turned mine into an Urban killing machine, and it took surprisingly litte to do it. If you have enough money, and want something a little more suited to aggressive riding, buy a P.1. Otherwise, this is singlespeed for you!
Similar Products Used: *Redline Monocog *Specialized P.1
Bike Setup: Surly Singleator; Primo Inds. 'Super Tenderizer' platform pedals; Hayes MX-1 HD 8" rotor mechanical disc; DT Swiss QR's; Truvativ polycarbonate bash ring; Nokian 'Bomber' tyre in rear, Continental Gravity in front.
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Submitted by
Chad ament
a Downhiller
from plano,ill,mexico
Date Reviewed: June 25, 2005
Strengths: Very strong,single speed simplicity,no rear derail to smash on things,disc brakes
Weaknesses: MZ comp Fork bottoms out on drops over eleven feet four inches(aprox).
Bottom Line:
Well i got this bike to huck around on and it is super fun and rolls over anything,with 2.5 tires you have to be a huge wuss to need Rear suspension, i've hit drops of over twelve feet with this hardtail.grow up and get skills. we also Had DEMO 0 Custom painted on our bikes as a spoof of the specialized demo 9 and 8,its funny,laugh. sweet bike.
Bike Setup: Free Reba fork From eric @ Sram/Rock Shox,fat 2.5 Tioga White tiger Downhill tires. Specialized Lo Pro Mag Pedals. New Avid levers Cuz Crazy Josh Broke one.
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Submitted by
jacob
a Cross Country Rider
from fresno, ca
Date Reviewed: May 26, 2005
Strengths: Good and stiff frame. Can double as a street bike as well as an xc bike. My 2004 model came with Sun rims and a Truvativ Hussefelt crank set with a dh bottom bracket.
Weaknesses: Weak chain tensioner. But I ditched it so..
Bottom Line:
Nice parts for the money. Good start to the world of single speed. now where's the beer
Bike Setup: Thomson seatpost and stem. Hayes nine brakes. Wtb tires. Got rid of the stupid singleator and ran a gear sandwich made of two 24 tooth cogs grinded down. If I run a 16 with a sram chain it works perfect. Same thing with an 18 and shimano chain.
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Submitted by
Lee Super T
a Weekend Warrior
from Philadelphia, PA, USA
Date Reviewed: May 18, 2005
Strengths: inexpensive for what you get, a nice entry to singlespeed, disc brakes
Weaknesses: can't think of any other than you can only get 1 color - dark blue with red flame - but that's not much of a weakness
Bottom Line:
I love this bike. All the chain skipping problems others have mentioned seem to be a thing of the past with the 2005 model. No tensioner. This is a true singlespeed with track ends. Rides like a dream. Not too heavy. Looks beautiful. Ample travel. Quality components. And the Specialized lifetime guarantee on the frame. This is a true singlespeed and the only bike I ride. For the price I paid, and with the quality of the bike and its components, I feel like I made out like a bandit. All my friends want one.
Submitted by
Steven
a Weekend Warrior
from No. VA, USA
Date Reviewed: May 6, 2005
Strengths: Sturdy frame, cranks and rims. Specialized Enduro tires are excellent very beefy for a 2.2... Oh the simplicity no deraileurs to care about... who needs em.
Weaknesses: Marz MZ forks are a little shady... i'd swap them out if you plan on riding the bike hard. Stock brake levers feel cheap...
Bottom Line:
This bike is not for the rider who is looking for a lightweight xc single speed. If your worried about the weight im sure there is plenty in your gut you can lose. Its setup more for the aggressive urban assault type rider.. it makes a great all around bike... the strong oversized tubing, sun ditchwich rims, and beefy enduro tires all allow this bike to take a beating.. however it doesnt ride like a tank. If your a one bike man/woman and you want something affordable to ride in all conditions this makes a great ride. As far as the chain slipping that many other reviewers have complained about i have had no such problem... In the time that i have owned it i have put many miles on it through backtrails and through city streets and the only adjustment i have made was to the brakes after the cables broke in and stretched. But remember when reading these reviews this bike retails for a fraction of what you would pay for so called "real" ss..
Bike Setup: installed Primo platform pedals Azonic worldforce bars, and Warhawk Industries bashgaurd. other than that the bike is stock.... soon to install Avid levers
Shopped long and hard, trying to decide which bike to convert to a single speed. In the end, I selected a 2005 Specialized Hardrock Disc Pro that is blue with black flames.
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