ATB - All Terrain Bike
The bike for whoever you are, the Hardrock delivers utility and durability without ever missing a beat. Whether rollling across campus to class, heading home from work or out for a night on the town, you gotta be you, right? To do that you need a bike that's tough enough to take what you're dishing out, but quick enough to keep up with your many moods. From the not-somean streets to the back alleys and the toughest trails in your 'hood, every Hardrock delivers utility and durability without ever missing a beat. It's the perfect bike for you...whoever you are.
Submitted by
MrRoundel
a Cross Country Rider
from LA Suburbs
Date Reviewed: August 15, 2011
Strengths: Price, durability, build-quality
Weaknesses: I've read about some weaknesses in the forks and the crankset, however, I have not had problems with the stock stuff on my '03.
Bottom Line:
While I'm new to mountain biking, I'm no stranger to quality builds. The obvious strength of the frame is what attracted me to the Hardrock. When I get back from a ride and my 54 year-old wrists and back are a bit sore, I wonder how this frame puts up with it. The ruts, the rocks, the downhill thrillers, nothing seems to bother this bike. The components seem adequate for a newby, and were in good shape when I got the bike. I picked up a some new shifters and new derailleur (stock) that I'll be installing soon, as there's a bit of play in the front D and the star adjuster on the front D mechanism is stripped. Still rides nice. I dig this bike and would recommend it to anyone looking for an entry level mountain bike. It's tough as nails.
Similar Products Used: Schwinn Apple Krate. O.K., so I had a Continental after that but that was the last time I bought a bike. I started biking when my knees started pleading against my running. I'm likin' the bikin'.
Bike Setup: Stock Shimano components: Acera FD, Diore RD, Shimano mechanical disc brakes, Alivio shifters, Alex rims, TruVativ crankset.
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
iowinos
a Cross Country Rider
from KC, MO, US
Date Reviewed: May 22, 2011
Strengths: Stout frame, decent parts spec for the price (aside from crappy fork): mech discs, splined bb
Weaknesses: Terrible fork, had it warrantied twice and it never worked right. I'm not overly familiar with low-end fork internals, but fork would habitually lock out or blow through all travel (as if it no spring, which seem impossible). Everyone seems to have trouble with lower end SRAM/Avid brakes (for me they constantly rubbed early on), but once I put new retainers in these they actually worked well and are still on the bike.
Bottom Line:
For this extremely entry-level price tag, you really can't get more bike. The frame is stout and again at this level you won't find more durability and opportunity for upgrade. The bike is super heavy stock, but the whole thing has solid parts. Fork was the only real problem.
Similar Products Used: Jamis Komodo and Dragon, Trek 7000, Schwinn Rocket88, older CroMo Specialized bikes
Bike Setup: Now running the bike with LX drivetrain, Marzocchi DJ2 forks, Shimano/Sun wheelset. Essentially replaced evertying besides seatpost, stem, bar.
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
nitzer280
a Cross Country Rider
from Vancouver WA
Date Reviewed: October 16, 2010
Strengths: Solid from front to back.
Weaknesses: Heavy, but just fine for the price I paid.
Bottom Line:
I've put about 350 miles on my Hard Rock this summer. For entry level, it is stellar. I love the discs and the 29" wheels. Shock is a little spongy but works just fine on the single track I ride. Shifting gets a little erratic as soon as the chain is slightly dirty so I have to clean it often. No worries. It's the first Specialized I've owned and it certainly won't be my last!
Similar Products Used: 1996 ish Cannondale Killer V 500, 1998 Cannondale Super V 800 I think
Bike Setup: Just changed the pedals to Candy C's
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Submitted by
tom Wright
a Weekend Warrior
from new york
Date Reviewed: June 1, 2010
Strengths: Love it. hard as nails, I feel really safe and that I can rely on it in most situations whether that be steep descents, all day treks or drops at speed. It really is great. Frame solid, light, rims are (alex/specialized) are strong and light - no sign of buckling.
Weaknesses: 1) Forks were great for a long while, though recently have shown signs of the spring wearing as the lock out no longer entirely locks, so looking to upgrade with a rockshox tora (another great product stong, light, V-brake compatable, and its also airsprung so lock out will be more reliable, and more travel! (130mm) so toras are good if you wanna upgrade the forks.
2) The brakes! design fault! great, really responsive etc... UNTIL ridden a little too hard and the cap holding the fluid in fell off as its facing down! this happened 3-4 times and after continual bleeding decided to upgrade to front and rear Avid Juicy Carbon Disc Brake, more reliable, plus an upgrade in terms of performance.
Favorite Trail: GRUNT AND MISERY ,BUNNY TRAIL, STREAMERS LANE, EVERY TRAIL AT SANTOS,AND HANNA PARK
Duration Product Used: 6 months
Price Paid:
$427.00
Purchased At: LAKE SHORE FITNESS A
Similar Products Used: NONE MY FIRST REVIEW I MESSED UP ON SOMETHING.LOL
Bike Setup: SPECIALIZED HARD ROCK.SPECIALIZED FAST TRACK TIRES.SRAM TRIGGER SHIFTERS.SRSUNTOUR XCT V2 100 MILO FORKS.SRSUNTOUR XCTV2 3 PC CRANK SET.[SINGLE SPEED SETUP].STOCK SPECIALIZED GEL SEAT.SRAM X4 REAR DERAILLUER
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Submitted by
bike_nerd
a Cross Country Rider
from Towson Maryland
Date Reviewed: March 29, 2010
Strengths: The frame is bulletproof. It is a 2003 with the A1 Enhanced Aluminum frame. It handles ever thing the trail can throw it's way from rocks, drop offs, jumps, and stumps.
Weaknesses: The Judy was a but of a heavy fork that came stock on the bike when I got it.
Bottom Line:
I love this frame, when I bought it weighed 32 pounds off the shelf, that was easily shaved off with some simple upgrades to bring the frame down to 26.5 pounds. It is the most reliable bike I have in my collection, and it is always up for the challenges that come my way on the trails. I would recommend this bike to anyone, if they still made it today.
Bike Setup: Fox F-100 RL, Chris King Headset, Bontrager Race Lite bars, XT shifters, XTR brake levers, Thompson stem and seat post, San Marco saddle, Bontrager Race lite Tubless wheels, XT rear and XTR front derailleur, Sram X0 Cassette, Sram 990 chain, Race Face Dues XC double crank with Enduro bottom bracket, Avid BB-7 Mechanical Disk Brakes, Teflon Cables, Crank Brothers Candy Ti Paddles.
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Submitted by
rickkastle
a Cross Country Rider
from Sacramento, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: August 26, 2009
Strengths: solid, bulletproof frame and componentry
Weaknesses: n/a
Bottom Line:
Great hardtail. With the pro disc, it was the best tracking hard tail I have ridden.
Similar Products Used: trek 4300 (non disc however), fetish discipline
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Submitted by
Herby
a Downhiller
from Baltimore, MD, USA
Date Reviewed: July 9, 2009
Strengths: Solid, very light
Weaknesses: None
Bottom Line:
I cracked my old frame (Pacific Beta from Toys'R'Us) and needed a replacement frame. Bought it from a friend who had the frame laying around for $150. I have used this bike for over 5 years. I use it for urban assault, DH trails, XC, city riding. Basically, I use it for everything. The hard tail frame is super strong and has taken a beating and keeps true.
Bottom Line: It might not be the fanciest bike around, but it holds with the best of them and keeps on going for years
Bike Setup: Shimano XT, Avid Mechanical Disc, Judy 100TT
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
humpjumper
a Weekend Warrior
from Haifa Israel
Date Reviewed: June 24, 2009
Strengths: good overall package brakes drivetrain all work great and made no trouble at all.the tires are also sweet.
Weaknesses: The suntour fork. before buing this bike iread all these favorable reviews but at the time no one had the 2008 model like mine so no one talked about the crappy forks.its not that they dont work theyre just way too soft for me (180lbs)and bottum out frequently.
Bottom Line:
if your looking for a great overall bike and your under 160 lbsand dont have alot of money to spend this is for you . if your over 160 lbs and have no money then think about replacing the fork because the stock one is a bummer.
Bike Setup: all stock except Marz 33tst2 forks (that rock)
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Submitted by
matt
a Weekend Warrior
from traverse city MI
Date Reviewed: May 6, 2009
Strengths: strong frame, basically top of the line components for its time, great wheels, ultimatley beefy stem, looks nice.
Weaknesses: orginal bashguard exploded within the first summer updated to a raceface aluminum one. the front fork can be finicky.
Bottom Line:
overall i like the bike it is a beast. i use it for everything i cross country ride, light freeride, some dirt jumps, street/urban, trials (it is a little heavy for this), alleycat races, and as a travel bike and it does all well. it doesnt shine through in one particular spot but is good at just about everything i run it on. i would highly recomend buying an 2006 or older one, NOT the new ones i checked up on their specks and they suck do not buy the new ones. to my knowledge the 2004 to 2007 was the years specalized hot rodded the hardrock and added good compoents and the like to make a worthwhile bike.it does everything i want it to with little manipualtion.
Favorite Trail: vasa, state hospitial, street around town
Duration Product Used: 2 Years
Price Paid:
$630.00
Purchased At: mcclains cylces
Similar Products Used: i have rode an evil, jamis dakar (simliar price range, full suspension) thats about it for products simliar at price level. i never rode either of the other bikes for any real amount of time either.
Bike Setup: basically stock i have added the race face bashguard and to date that is it for upgrades. i have however replaced some parts to date like the front axles (twice now), the bottom bracket (was a default bottom bracket covered by warranty), obviously a few tubes, i broke the shifter on a failed jump attemtp it was relativley cheap though.
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Submitted by
Duvivr6
a Cross Country Rider
from Oklahoma City
Date Reviewed: April 22, 2009
Strengths: Awesome frame takes everything I throw at it! Mine is the 2003 version I bought new back then still ride it!
Weaknesses: low end Shimano components but good enough to get you by if your a new rider, RS Judy wasn't the greatest either but not bad at this price range
Bottom Line:
I have been riding this bike for a long time and I enjoy every second of it, have taken pretty big jumps and drops no problem and some pretty bad crashes.
I would advise anyone that is thinking about a hradrock to go for it!
Bike Setup: 03' HardRock 17" frame, RS Tora 302, XT quick shifters, XT front and rear der., truvativ stylo crank, shimano deore hubs and hydro disk brakes/center lock rotors, easton EA30 Seatpost, bontrager saddle, truvativ XR 90mm Stem, easton monkeylite bar
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Submitted by
hottroddr
a Weekend Warrior
from tulare,ca. USA
Date Reviewed: January 4, 2009
Strengths: very beefy and well constructed for us big guys
Weaknesses: front and rear derailleurs are annoying always need adjusting.could shift a lot better. cranks are noisy under pressure. fork is a little weak(SR Suntour). avid bb5 w/6 inch rotors are not quite up to the task. me and bike together weigh about 260 lbs,so come down the mountain at 40+ mph,a brake upgrade was definitely in order!
Bottom Line:
great entry level hardtail for the money. really cant go wrong.
Similar Products Used: none. this is my first legit rig
Bike Setup: all stock except brake upgrade to avid juicy 7 w/203mm front rotor and 185 rear. Bike now stops with a single finger!
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Submitted by
e Haynes
a Weekend Warrior
from Vancouver, WA.
Date Reviewed: November 6, 2008
Strengths: Tough frame
Weaknesses: Tires,Judy 100tt,
Bottom Line:
I love this thing. It is'nt the best bike for any one application...But it does do everything pretty damn well! I'm no pro but I am 6'1 and 210lbs. I like jumps and small drops. This thing does hold up. Well worth the 300 I spent!
Hi all,
I'd just like to first say I'm a bit new to this!
I'm looking for a bike for mainly road / dirt track, but possibly something a little bit more, so want the bike to h Read More »
I picked it up new in 06. I can count on 2 hands how many times ive ridden in. I sidetracked and found more expensive hobbies (car, motorcycles)....anyway. I used to be big into bi Read More »
A friend of mine(original owner) found a Crack on the Head Tube of his Hardrock pro while cleaning the bike, is he S.O.L.? or is there anything that Specialized or the LBS he bough Read More »
My 1st mountain bike which will be used for single track and a bit of xc
What would peeps choose between
[B][COLOR="Red"][URL="http://www.specialized.com/gb/en/bc/SBCBkModel.j Read More »
I currently have a 2011 basically brand new 3700. a friend of mine offered me a 2008 specialized hardrock pro disc for my 3700. the hardrock is in very good conditions. Is it worth Read More »
