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.
Strengths: Good strong frame and relatively light for the price range. Great Specialized tires that handle well on the trail. Comfortable bike to ride, very sturdy does not break.
Weaknesses: Stock components are not great, stock fork not terrific.
Bottom Line:
For the price I firmly believe this is the best bike you can buy. I bought my 2008 Hardrock Sport in January of 2009 and it is still in great shape. Most of my riding has been on trials in Arizona and Utah. This bike has been able to handle just about everything though by this point my front suspension is starting to go out and the components are just not great. After some pretty serious abuse on advanced technical trails for the past year I have decided to upgrade and retire this baby to the shed to have as a back up. Conquered some pretty good trails including the famous rim, hidden canyon, and yellow trail on Gooseberry Mesa in southern Utah. Handled Moab like a champ though not as graciously has perhaps the more expensive bikes. Bottom line if you only have $400 and want a good bike, go Specialized Hardrock and you will not regret it.
Similar Products Used: Giant Boulder, Gary Fisher Paragon 29er
Bike Setup: All stock set up out of the Specialized dealer
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Submitted by
Jordan
a Cross Country Rider
from california
Date Reviewed: December 30, 2011
Strengths: Frame is really strong and pretty light, has great disc brakes, has strong metal pedals, its a strong durable bike, and when i bought it used and tried for a few days I thought it was a $1000 bike(seriously)
Weaknesses: nothing i can think of
Bottom Line:
I think this a perfect bike for a person who rides hard on dirt trails or rides around places like lake tahoe, strong pretty light durable bike. (if you get one get the specialized hardrock COMP DISC because it comes with te good features)
Submitted by
rusty859
a Cross Country Rider
from Tucson, AZ, United States
Date Reviewed: October 10, 2011
Strengths: Strong durable bike. Relatively light compared to similar makes at price. Rugged and dependable bike.
Weaknesses: Basic components, entry level fork assembly. No disk brakes.
Bottom Line:
This is a great bike. The newer models 2006 or so until now are much better than the older ones you might see around town. Strong durable bike. I have taken this bike on some fairly strenuous trails and it has held up great. This past summer I took this bike on a pretty rough overnight ride in Utah, here is the link for the trail description, http://www.utahmountainbiking.com/trails/windy.htm
The bike handled great and the only complaint was that with only v-brakes the downhill was almost more strenuous than the uphill. I would suggest going with the Hard Rock disk brake version.
Similar Products Used: Giant, Gary Fisher Paramont, Trek
Bike Setup: Stock Hardrock
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Submitted by
Demonman
a Cross Country Rider
from Brooklyn, NY USA
Date Reviewed: July 28, 2011
Strengths: Looks good, strong frame, light and a good price for what you get.
Weaknesses: Chain falls off too easily. Stock grips slide around and tear easily.
Bottom Line:
Purchased in spring of 2009, I was stuck trying to decide between this one and the Trek 3500. Picked this one because of the hot color and the slightly lower sale price even though the Trek MSRP was $30 lower. I have used it mostly on streets for my commute to work and occassionally on compacted dirt trails. At first the tires were a little too knobby , but the wear has made them quiet and smooth. I also found the ride a little too firm, but I am 50lbs heavier than the last time I rode regularly so it could be me. The bike now has about 1500 miles on it and other than a few scratches and replacing torn grips with new locking ones, I haven't had any problems.
Bike Setup: Still stock in glossy yellow except for new Specialized locking grips.
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Submitted by
tattooedbodies
a Downhiller
from Missoula, Montana USA
Date Reviewed: May 21, 2011
Strengths: Love the frame. The double walled tires are durable, but heavy.
Weaknesses: Components
Bottom Line:
It's stuff on the trails here, even with all the shale rock in the mountains. Would recommend to anyone. Looking for the soft tail now for even tougher trails.
Similar Products Used: Trek, Santa Cruz, Schwin(higher models)
Bike Setup: upgraded shock to Manatou w/6" rise. Upgraded pedals,rear derailer, front derailer, handle bar, rims, and discs.
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Submitted by
gamz
a Weekend Warrior
from san fernando valley
Date Reviewed: March 21, 2011
Strengths: responsive and durable
Weaknesses: stock crankset and rear derailluer
Bottom Line:
for the price, it's a decent bike. changing a few components makes a world of difference. overall experience has been positive, but i'm new to the movement. already looking at full suspension alternatives.
Bike Setup: practically stock, 3 upgrades that have made a huge difference - upgraded seat to serfas gel - upgraded rear derailluer to shimano deore - upgraded crankset to shimano deore
I was extremely lucky to get this bike basically new off craigslist. Well built entry-level bike would recommend to anyone getting into mountain biking. The frame is amazingly responsive the geometry is great, the rims and tires are decent for the trails that I rode them on,but I will upgrade them soon,the rst gila is ok for mediocre trails I will upgrade those as well the drivetrain is decent and fairly responsive. This bike climbs really well and has a solid overall feel you get a lot of bang for your buck.
Similar Products Used: 2000 fuji outand, 2006 gary fisher wahoo,2009 trek 820
Bike Setup: 2007 specialized hardrock sport basically stock,except shimano platform/clipless pedals,selle royal respiro seat,and bontrager bar ends
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Submitted by
1 EYED JACK
a Weekend Warrior
from ENUMCLAW, WA USA
Date Reviewed: November 27, 2010
Strengths: I LIKE THIS BIKE ROCK SOLID, I GOT A COUPLE GIRLS START RIDING THESE BIKE.THEY GOT SOME MORE FRIENDS. NOW WE RIDE & CAMP ON THE WEEKENDS 6 GUYS & 8 WOMEN WHAT A BLAST...
Weaknesses: NEED BETTER BRAKES LIKE DISC WHAT I CHANGED OVER TO. ANY BIKE THAT COST MORE THAN 300.00 SHOULD HAVE DISC BRAKE....
Similar Products Used: I'VE USED OTHER BIKE BUT I LIKE SPECIALIZED SET UPS. MY BUDDY GOT A FIBER CARBON. THE ARE KOOL BUT I'LL STICK WITH MY BIKE. THGANK YOU VERY MUCH...
Bike Setup: SET UP FOR DOWN HILL MOUNTAIN TRAIL SUMMER, WINTER I RIDE LOWWER LAND DO THE SNOW LEVEL. I DID DO SOME SNOW DOWN HILL. BUT HURTS TO MUCH WHEN YOU CRASH. I DON'T HAVE MEDICAL. SNOW DOWN HILL COST ME 30K ON MY CRASH...
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Submitted by
ChattRider
a Cross Country Rider
from Chattanooga, TN
Date Reviewed: November 8, 2010
Strengths: I love the frame. I have a large frame and it just fits. It's tough and relatively light. All of my friends ride expensive fs bikes, and when we trade they all notice how much stronger even a cheap-o hardtail is when the trails go up. Very strong entry-level bike.
Weaknesses: V-brakes... come on. Killed the d-hanger twice, but I ride pretty hard. Along with that, front fork went in a big way on a drop. Stock seat went at the same time.
Bottom Line:
I'm cheap, and so was the bike. I traded for an old kayak, and rode it almost the whole first season before I hit a jump too hard. The Manitou fork cracked at the top, bent the stays, and sheared off the left wheel mount... My face hit a rock and i got two nice scars (chin and nose). The seat went, also. The frame was fine! Took the opportunity to upgrade to current state, and still love the frame. If you are going to ride hard, take the time to figure out what you really want/need, then upgrade accordingly. Otherwise, a great bike. Very solid platform for the money.
Submitted by
swingsultan
a Cross Country Rider
from Boise, Idaho
Date Reviewed: November 2, 2010
Strengths: Sweet Shifters, grips are very...grippy, lol. Coming of a POS Mongoose "FS", the power transfer in a Spec HR is amazing, hardtails really do rock!
Weaknesses: Stock saddle sucks. Stock plastic pedals suck(going off jumps made mine break and im only 165 lbs!). Stock Tires aren't good enough for trail riding-no knobs! Nothing other than that.
Bottom Line:
If youre looking into getting a decent hardtail for less than $800-$1000, buy this. Trust me. :)! Have a nice day!
Similar Products Used: Piece of crap 2008 Mongoose Sector(FS)
POS Schwinn High Timber
Bike Setup: 21" Black 2011 Specialized Hardrock. Cyc Comp. Nice seat, dont remember the name. Getting clipless pedals soon...
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Submitted by
Bob White
a Weekend Warrior
from St Akbert Alberta Canada
Date Reviewed: September 25, 2010
Strengths: Light weight, rapid fire shifters, great stock tires, Strong frame, great stock shocks.
Weaknesses: None
Bottom Line:
This bike was purchased to give me freedom and exercise. I have loved this bike right from day 1. For the price this bike is an excelent deal. When you ride it you can feel the confidence that nothing can slow this bike down. Durability can be felt. I do some off roading and heve taken this bike on some jumps and it has stood up to the challenges i have thrown at it. I was 260 pounds when i got it 3 years ago,, I am now 195. My bikie has done alot to get me here and will continue to be my ride.
Submitted by
wildcat_ksu
a Cross Country Rider
from Kansas City, KS, USA
Date Reviewed: July 22, 2010
Strengths: Great Shimano components, Manitou Answer Pro fork, an extremely light and very durable frame.
Weaknesses: Stock saddle hurts on bumpy rides, no option for disk brakes on my older model, not a fan of the Specialized hard rock branded tires that came stock.
Bottom Line:
I've had my Hard Rock Sport (HRS) for well over 10 years. Everyone refers to it as the bare bones of mtb's; and it is. The best part about the HRS is simplicity. It easily gets the job done better than anything 3 times its price. The HRS has everything you need and nothing you don't. There are no tricks to owning a HRS, take care of it and it will repay you ten fold. The only minor work I've done on the bike is replaced the shifters, put on ODI Rouge Lock-Tight grips, and finally switched the stock saddle with a gel one. Other than those "upgrades" I've had to replace nothing on the bike. All the HRS needs is a little TLC tuneage from your local bike shop once every few months and it will out live you.
Buy this bike if you want to have a great mtb experience while at the same time saving a little cash. It requires little to no maintenance. Take it on expert trails with no hesitation. Lightweight. Reliable. Outstanding.
Similar Products Used: Fuji, Giant, Trek, Cannondale, etc.
Bike Setup: Specialized Hard Rock Sport: The original stock Manitou Answer Pro fork, WeirWolf UST 2.3 tires, stock wheels, ODI Rouge grips, Shimano Altus EZ-Fire shifters, stock everything else.
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Submitted by
I_Ride_$pecialized
a Weekend Warrior
from Chino Hills California
Date Reviewed: May 16, 2010
Strengths: Strong frame, shifters are all right, grips are very cool.
Weaknesses: Tires and fork. The tires are a little to skinny for any XC rides. The fork isn't that bad but an upgrade can always be 10 times better
Bottom Line:
A really good bike. Frame is built really good. It can handle little jumps and hard terrain. Bike is also very light.
