Submitted by
sean
a Cross Country Rider
from lydney
Date Reviewed: June 24, 2007
Strengths: good brakes and gears
Weaknesses: bit heavy but good for the money
Bottom Line:
good bike for the price but pay more for the fsr and the full suspension. good for a new biker like myself. dont try and do tricks though as it a bit weak as i found out. and expensive to repair.
Strengths: bulet proof OW YA I USE IT FOR DURT JUMPING PERFICKT FOR 360 AND BACK FLIPS. when i bout this bike it was cus i liked the geometry of it and i was going to wheld gustes in but never had to
Weaknesses: the componints
Bottom Line:
this bike is a freking tank but yet it is light go figer ride on ye haw and i nead 7 flaming chilis
Similar Products Used: chase p1 p3 norco .243racing
Bike Setup: hared rock with chris king pike xt drive trane sun ringal singal trackts azonk bars
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Sam rainey
a Weekend Warrior
from columbia, Mo
Date Reviewed: June 28, 2004
Strengths: the whole bike has potential to be an awesome bike with a few upgrades. i like the frame a lot. this is a great first mountain bike for someone like me who is on a tight budget.
Weaknesses: hated the front fork which seedmed to do nothing at all so i bought a manitou Black with 100\120mm. two bolts fell out of the crank and messed up the chainring twice so my shop bought me a new crank set from shimano wich is a lot better.
Bottom Line:
i will probably keep this bike for a long time because i love it and i can keep putting new stuff on it to make it better
Bike Setup: Manitou black comp 100\120, continental tires, new shimano crankset
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
walter vergara
a Downhiller
from m-town, ca, usa
Date Reviewed: April 9, 2004
Strengths: the frame was modeled after a tank. disc ready frame is great. the shocks are better than expected.
Weaknesses: the frame seems indestructable, but with it also comes alot of weight....too heavy. the wimpy trek 4100 is much lighter. the stock brakes suck and so do the alex rims, they are way too heavy. the bike is just plain heavy for the "top of the line" hardrock.
Bottom Line:
sharp looking frame. the frame can take alot of abuse. great for downhill......not good for climbing, way too heavy (as already stated). the best bike to upgrade.
Strengths: Very strong, and responsive. Forks are subtle, do their job well and are not bouncy. Going over obstacles is great at speed, its all too easy to forget you've no rear shock until you have a saddle well and truly planted in your a***. Lesson 1 - raise yourself off the saddle after the front wheel has cleared that rock!
Great clearance. Great rider position, especially for those tough uphills, but equally at home on the downs. Brakes do what brakes should do - very well.
Weaknesses: Tyres, summer only. Not confident in their grip in slippier conditions. Scared s***less cycling on a frosty road!
Some cheaper smaller weaker parts (steel brake cable holders started to rust within a month - but cosmetic only). But that's a niggle and doesn't detract from the general quality build and parts that make up this bike.
Gear Cable adjustments not easiste in the world.
Bottom Line:
Whatever trail you like riding, forest downhill, road, this bike does it all, and with a great beaming smile on its face. Its a beast with the looks to match, and blackrims and spokes too, well cool. This bike will outlive you! But change those tyres when you get some money - sure they'll slow you down a tad from what is a very fast bike, but you will be able to unleash the full potential of this beast, and ride those trails with confidence. Unless of course you only ride it on the road - but then why are you buying a mtb?
Submitted by
Peter
a Cross Country Rider
from Rocklin, Ca
Date Reviewed: October 21, 2002
Strengths: This is a well developed product, the frame design is really cool and sturdy. The Aluminum frame is light and durable. The drivetrain is better than that on the HardRock Comp and seems to respond quickly and efficiently.
Weaknesses: The only weakness that i have found is... wait there are no weaknessses when it comes to this bike.
Bottom Line:
This is a real sweet ride for the price... Everything that I added was from a previous bike (but brand new). Otherwise I would be riding the stock set-up and be extremely happy with the product. I would reccomend this bike to everyone who is in the market for a killer rig without breaking the bank. If you shop around you will be able to get a good price... if there are anymore 02's out there for sale. If not save some cash by picking up the '03 Hard Rock Comp(Same color as the '02 HR Pro) and throw on a Deore or Lx derailer (rear) from www.jensonusa.com. While your at it pick up a Lx frot derailer and you really have a sweet ride.
Similar Products Used: Everything out on the market... I tried KONA, Rocky Mountain, Trek, Gary Fisher, Jamis, and I kept going back to the shop to demo the Hard Rock Pro.
Bike Setup: My RIG is set up as follows: • Azoniz Shorty stem (looks killer with the squared top tube) • KOSKI Brake lite PRO (had in garage--just felt like switching brakes-- nothing wrong with stock parts) • Clipless pedals (saved from last bike-- WHEW!) • FOTRE' GEL pro saddle (I honestly like the bg saddle better) EVERYTHING ELSE IS STOCK ! • FUTURE ADDITIONS: • TITEC HELLBENT RISER
it's the bestest. buy it. i like it. you like it. i like it. buy it. it's the bestest. it's the bestest. buy it. i like it. you like it. i like it. buy it. it's the bestest. it's the bestest. buy it. i like it. you like it. i like it. buy it. it's the bestest. it's the bestest. buy it. i like it. you like it. i like it. buy it. it's the bestest.
Strengths: Extraordinary frame, responsive steering, and super absorbant judy TT's. Overall handling is comfortable for a big 21", and moves well through then tight and technical.
Weaknesses: The derailleures are slow and loud, alot of ambient gear noise on intense downhills.
Bottom Line:
Incredible Bike with the components and mechanics to make it a decent intermediate racer. I get questions about this bike every where I go. In my opinion one of the best deals out there for under $1000.
Strengths: Very good Frame...I love the 100mm Judy TT on the front...Love the Disk brakes Unbelievle stopping power...
Weaknesses: None
Bottom Line:
I have the 2003 model and what can i say i LOVE IT...i love the 100 mm JUDY TT in the front....and i really love the disk brakes....U get a real bike for a good price...I wouldnt go with any other bike....
Bike Setup: All stock execpt water bottle and cage
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Jeremy Robinson
a Weekend Warrior
from Woodstock NB Canada
Date Reviewed: September 2, 2002
Strengths: Great Frame Good drivetrain
Weaknesses: Tires. These things suck. Replace them.
Bottom Line:
This is a continuation of my other review. I have been riding it almost every day this summer and I love this bike. After replacing the tires it became a new ride. Sure it's a bit slower, but the stability and shock absorption you get from them is great. The Rock Shox Judy C forks are good. I am going to be upgrading them next year though, because I want more travel.
This is a great bike if you are a poor student like me, but still want quality and duribility. You can always upgrade later.
Strengths: Sturdy frame, Deore rear derailleur, Decent Ritchey headset, black wheels are pretty cool, handles great, speeds up hills, the Judy TT shock is pretty good (at least it is better than the one on my old bike, some hand me down bike i learned on).
Weaknesses: Alivo front derailleur isn't very responsive, so it takes a while to get in the second chain ring. Seat took some getting use-to. The tires are pretty good for hardpack, but they lose there grip when you hit any type of mud, you start sliding around like you are on skis or something.
Bottom Line:
This is a very good beginner bike, and maybe with some parts change a decent entry level racer bike.
Bike Setup: All stock, first change will be the tires, then probably the front derailleur.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
ivan lopresti
a Weekend Warrior
from clifton nj usa
Date Reviewed: August 24, 2002
Strengths: solid ride, smooth operation of gear shifting, comfortable, hot black paint job. great components.
Weaknesses: dont like the tires,
Bottom Line:
excellent bike for money, i bought it for $399 at ski barn, ive seen this bike for $550, really nice ride, rides much better then my friends $800 cannondale. the upgrades ive done make it a much better ride, will change tires next. i cant get enough of riding it. i recomend this bike for intermidiate riders.
Strengths: The 2003 model (just out) is big and sturdy. There is an upgrade in the front suspension and there are disc brakes. It feels indestructible. The seat is upgraded for a more comfortable fit.
Weaknesses: The bike is heaveir than the bike it replaced and it is quite tall. The derailers are a little slow.
Bottom Line:
This is a great bike that feels almost indestructible. The extra money is worth it because disc brake upgrades can cost around $400. It's performance more than makes up for its weight. It is still very good on hills, both up and down. Truly a great bike.
Submitted by
Jeremy Robinson
a Weekend Warrior
from Woodstock, NB, Canada
Date Reviewed: June 24, 2002
Strengths: Very strong frame Good components
Weaknesses: Fork is taking a while to break in. Striped an allen bolt on the break lever The tires are fine for urban riding, but you need to run them almost flat to get any traction on the trail Could have had disk hubs
Bottom Line:
Good bike for the money. Better than Kona Stuff(almost the same frame). Very fast exceleration. I bought it to do a little bit of everything and I think it can handle it. I will be upgrading the forks next year (boxxer or junior t) and the tires.
replace the pedals and seat.
This is a great bike for the value and you can always upgrade things next season. Buy it, it is cheaper than the kona stuff and has better components and frame than the Norco Bigfoot.
