Submitted by
nate doggg
a Cross Country Rider
from coventry
Date Reviewed: August 25, 2009
Strengths: frame wheels the lot .
Weaknesses: none found apart from weak chain due to age.
Bottom Line:
bottom line is i just got this bike becuse i had my last one stolen. i had the same bike but with out the front sus. witch was my best bike i ever got even cyceld to wales from coventry and had no problems with it. so when i herd this hard rock for sale at a very very cheap price .i thort i carnt go rong even if it needs some new parts. WELL SOD ME SIDE WAYS. i got the bike two days ago and man its the best 50 pounds iv ever spent. it gos like a dream. iv give it a good going over and just like specialized bikes . theres nothing rong with it apart from some mean scraches on the frame. but ha. the bike is just a dream i guess you get the pic buy now. if you get the chace to buy one get it. you wont be disapointed trust me. iv had some bikes in my time and this baby is one of the best iv had yet. happy cyceling guys and girls . nate dogg
Similar Products Used: specialized hardrock hard tail
Bike Setup: frand
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Submitted by
Mark O
a Weekend Warrior
from Honolulu, HI, U.S.
Date Reviewed: May 17, 2009
Strengths: Awesome frame. I had no idea what I purchased until I came across this web site. I was shocked when I found out that this bike is worth ten times what I paid at Goodwill!
Weaknesses: None found so far.
Bottom Line:
Best mountain bike I ever rode. Comfortable ride, especially if you're tall(6'0" to 6'4" range). You get the feel of a city bike with the capabilities of a well made mountain bike.
Submitted by
Mike Dold
a Weekend Warrior
from Kansas City
Date Reviewed: June 5, 2005
Strengths: A beautiful headtube-butted Aluminum frame. Cool looking oversize tubes and fat seatpost. Nice Tig welded joints and a replaceable derailleur hanger. I think it's a good keeper, and will really improve with normal upgrades.
Weaknesses: Seems just a little heavy for what it is, but not too bad. It could probably stand a little judicious component selection for lighter weight as upgrades are added.
Bottom Line:
I own several bikes, all very respectable rides. However the Specialized is the one that I will always grab for a ride. I've had this bike for years now, and it still performs beautifully. I really like the longish top tube, and the overall geometry seems to work out well for me. No complaints at all, Might as well save your Stumpjumper money and just buy one of these.
Similar Products Used: Schwinn S10, GT RTS2, Gary Fisher Hookookekoo, Cannondale M400
Bike Setup: I upgraded my elastomer fork with a Judy SL, Avid Brakes and levers, and various sets of tires. The rest of the bike is still stock, because it works well. Mostly Shimano STX Also added some upper end riser bars, stem and headset.
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Submitted by
J C
a Weekend Warrior
from Chicago, IL, USA
Date Reviewed: May 24, 2005
Strengths: Beautiful bike, read great reviews in here and other places about the frame etc.
Weaknesses: Don't know much about mountain bikes so I can't really comment here.
Bottom Line:
I'm fairly new to the whole mountain bike thing. In the past I was pretty ignorant about where to purchase a bike. I'd always go to the big box retailer, lured by their cheap prices. Well after my bad experience with a Royce Union (which was crap from day one) that I purchased at Sports Authority, I decided to do a little more research this time around. I started shopping at my local bike shop as recommended by many on the internet. I will never ever buy a bike again from a big box retailer! I found this bike on clearance at $215.00. I was first considering a comfort bike, but I'm very glad that I chose to go with this bike after reading great reviews.
I'm mainly going to use this bike for weekend rides and some commuting around the city. If you are primarily going to ride it on paved surfaces, then swap out the stock tires for some slicks. The ride is awesome! I can't really comment on the components as I don't know what "good" shifting or suspension is supposed to feel like. But so far for a novice like me, its a huge diffence from the bikes I've owned in the past. If you can find this bike at a LBS at a good price like I did, go for it!
Similar Products Used: Royce Union POS from Sports Authority and some no name Wal-Mart crap.
Bike Setup: Stock, swapped out the stock saddle for a Trek CRZ+. Also swapped out the tires for some Nimbus EX road tires.
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Submitted by
Muff Hugger
a Weekend Warrior
from Soo'er
Date Reviewed: November 4, 2004
Strengths: Great entry level bike. Super strong aluminum frame suprisingly light. disk brake tabs were a nice touch for future upgrades.
Weaknesses: The parts spec'ed on bike needed to be upgraded quickly. I Immediately upgraded the fork to a marzocchi bomber fork (EXR Comp). Alex rims were the next to go (RhynoLites). crank and bottom bracket were the next. I bought a hussefelt w/a splined bottom bracket and had to upgrade the BB before I could install the new crankset.
Bottom Line:
With all the upgrading I did on this bike I realized that I should have bought a better bike from the start, and so I sold this bike and went bigger. This is a perfect bike for people who want to have a good bike for cruising around town, hitting the odd trail and staying on the ground. If you love Red Bull, drop in, and look to the sky for a place to ride... steer clear of a Specialized Hard Rock...
Similar Products Used: Banshee Scratch, specialized P street, p2, Norco 125, 250,
Bike Setup: Specialized set up this bike for flying around town and light trails. My upgrades turned it into an aggressive cross country bike that could handle some urban and trials riding.
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Submitted by
Charles Brown
a Weekend Warrior
from CA
Date Reviewed: March 6, 2004
Strengths: Excellent entry level bike for a newbie or someone just getting started in MTB. Of course, it's great for the casual biker too, in my opinion. Love the frame, looks sleek, yet strong, durable, and light. Just read reviews on other bikes and you'll see the horror stories about cracked frames and other weaknesses. So you can't go wrong with Specialized frames.
Weaknesses: No complaints here. Shifting can be a little delayed, but probably b/c I haven't lubed it in a while.
Bottom Line:
You get what you pay for. It's a little misleading and disconcerting when reading some of the previous reviews on this bike. People complaining about certain parts is a little unjustified. I'm not trying to exaggerate, but if I bought a car like a Honda Civic, could I complain and say it doesn't accelerate like any of the Acura's...or if I got some dinky Toyota Tercel, could I say it's not this or that like a Camry or Lexus? Hardrocks have a retail around $300 - $350. So you're not going to get components like Shimano XTR, Dura-ace, SRAM 9.0, Truvativ cranks, or Fox or Marzocchi forks. So when you read those reviews from people saying the bike doesn't shift well, suspension this, crank that, brakes yada... those reviews possibly are from delusional individuals who think they can get the performance of a +$1500 bike for under $350. So bottom line, if you're new or just want a decent quality bike who isn't going to be sponsored by a major company in a race anytime soon, then go with any of the latest Specialized Hardrocks. If you find biking to be fun and enjoyable, then invest as need be and accordingly to your budget. If you got money to burn or have high expectations, then shell out the dimes and start looking at the S-Works, Epic, Stumpjumper, and FSR models.
Weaknesses: components. Since it was used the drivetrain was severeley worn, and slow.:( Fork was too loose, but after tightening too max it held up ok.
Bottom Line:
Great bike, I ride it really hard and it holds up fine. I have a 19" and am 6' 190 lbs. I just bought a 04 15" sport for my girlfriend, so I definately am a satisfied customer...
Similar Products Used: Team Marin- a sick sick bike
Bike Setup: upgraded to: deore rear, lx crank set, new seat, clip on peadals, bar-ends, chain, and cassette. It also came with staight handel bars from previous owner.
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Submitted by
ray
a Cross Country Rider
from maryland
i am 280 pounds and the bike didnt shudder when i was hitting 3 foot jumps. the frame and wheels seem very strong. the whole shifting procedure is noisy and slow and the tires are good for road riding but not the best traction in dirt. this bike is definatly worth the upgrade in components. i just bougt this bike for 250 new but i had the option to wait for the shipments of 2003 gt avalanche 3.0 for the same price. evn though this bike was a year older im glad i got it because it is so rugged and it is a specialized.
Submitted by
Sean the Monkey
a Cross Country Rider
from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Date Reviewed: April 11, 2003
Strengths: Incredibly light, much lighter than my old Costco bike :P
Weaknesses: Sr Suntour fork is a bit of a dissapointment, would have at least hoped for something like a Judy. Some trouble shifting, rear derailleur cradle is always getting bent.
Bottom Line:
Very good bike if you plan on doing light recreational riding or commuter riding. The factory tires are absolute crap, and dont hold anything other than dry, clean road. If you plan on doing any dropping, upgrading the fork is a must, a 67mm Sr Suntour just doesn't cut it. I am currently looking into picking up a Specialized Enduro, this bike was quite a bit of bike for the money, but not the right bike for me.
Submitted by
Joel
a Weekend Warrior
from Long Beach, CA
Date Reviewed: March 5, 2003
Strengths: Frame and PRICE!
Weaknesses: Fork (Suntour XCC), front derailur (Shimano acera)
Bottom Line:
After years of hiatus from mountain biking, I decided to get back to into it. But this time I decided to do it smartly and not go overboard with the credit card. This is a great bike and what makes it better is that you can upgrade it with your preffered components without braking the bank. I'm slowly getting my technical skills back and am starting have a realy great time with this bike.
Strengths: wicked frame comfy seat good entry level components adjustable front shock, disc compatible, light weight, strong rims
Weaknesses: front derailure, shock will need upgrading eventually pedals arent too bad for my style but can be nasty on shins
Bottom Line:
I only ride urban and this bike will do it all. large drops, speed on tarmac, have had problems with chain suck wrapping around the front derailure and bending it out of line, its an excellent entry level hardtail with plenty of room to upgrade when need be. front derailure is a bit of a shocker and will be the first upgrade but otherwise I fully recommend this bike to those after a light strong mountian bike for urban or dirt looking to go hard
Strengths: Frame is awesome, not terribly heavy and lots of upgrade potential.
Weaknesses: Front derailur is slow, the rear is flaky too. Front shock could use some work too.
Bottom Line:
Bike is an awesome value, I got it cause I started XC racing just as a starter bike till i could afford something better, but ill definetly keep it. After I upgrade the drivetrain and shock, not to mention some eggbeaters, this bike will rule. I can already place really well on the current setup (platforms and all). I would reccomend the bike to anyone looking for an entry level bike that can take you to any level competition if you do the right upgrades and practice.
Similar Products Used: trek 800, specialized stumpjumper, trek fuel
Bike Setup: Easton flat bar& bar ends, LX front derailur, little crap (saddle, computer, etc)
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Submitted by
Matt
a Weekend Warrior
from East Bridgewater, MA
Date Reviewed: October 17, 2002
Strengths: Nice entry level ride. Rather strong frame. The bike is a good value for the price you will pay.
Weaknesses: The front end (fork and wheel) are rather week. They left me in the hospital for the night.
Bottom Line:
This bike is a good value for what you are paying. Do not expect an exceptional ride but for entry level riders it is a nice bike. Warning, DO NOT push this bike to its limits, it will break!
