I bought this as a junker and replaced basically everything on it (that wasn't the original plan, but you know how it goes ;) ). I can't comment on most of the parts because I didn't use them much, but the frame is truly unbreakable. I stripped the paint to repaint it and you can see that this thing is way overbuilt. It has taken all the abuse I've ever given it. There is nothing I could do while riding that could break this thing before breaking my body.
Favorite Trail: Cunningham Park, Fresh Meadows, Queens, NY
Duration Product Used: 1 Year
Price Paid:
$100.00
Purchased At: craigslist
Bike Setup: Frankenbike w/ Shimano IGH, custom camo paint, disk brakes and a toolbox. :)
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Submitted by
SPARKY
a Weekend Warrior
from chelmsford, MA
Date Reviewed: April 29, 2009
Strengths: I've never had one problem with this wonderful bike. I haven't done anything to it ever, I've had it for more than 12 years. Shifting is easy and flawless. Does good up hills and in sandy and rough soil.
Weaknesses: None. I've never had a problem with the original tires either.
Similar Products Used: None, have only used cheap store bikes.
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Submitted by
Vince
a Cross Country Rider
from Oregon, outside of Eugene
Date Reviewed: October 31, 2008
Strengths: Very hard to destroy! Decent front fork. Great shifting for a budget bike. Also the breaks are easy to keep working at 100%.
Weaknesses: Stiff front fork at first anyway. Can't use tires over 2.1 on gravel or mud.
Bottom Line:
This is my final update on this bike. Bought this bike new in June 2003 and have ridden the tar out of it over the years. I live in a very wet part of Oregon and I’m very very hard on bikes. Amazingly this bike is still in one piece. For a bike that cost me only 330 bucks it has out lived all my expectations BY FAR!!! I ride thousands of miles a year. Most of it is on gravel roads with some time spent on trails and pavement. All the important bits still work like new. Alas she dose need a major tune up. I am amazed that I have not tweaked the bottom bracket or headset bearings with all the wet rides I do. The bearings are sill silky smooth and tight. Buy the bike! Just make sure the fork is in decent shape.
Bike Setup: Far far too complex to write down but the 03 hardrock is mostly stock.
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Submitted by
Ron Jarvis
a Weekend Warrior
from Puna, Hawaii, USA
Date Reviewed: June 17, 2008
Strengths: Solid frame, decent components for the money
Weaknesses: None so far.
Bottom Line:
An excellent bike for the money. A solid trail riding bike; does well zipping over potholes, gravel, dirt, light brush, dried lava beds, neighbor's dog, etc. I would recommend this bike to anyone entering the sport. When my kids get a little older and out grow their P-O-S department store bikes, I'll seriously look into buying more "Specialized" products.
Favorite Trail: South Point (Green Sands) Trail, and Hawaiian Acres Roads
Duration Product Used: 6 months
Price Paid:
$370.00
Purchased At: Hilo Bike Hub
Similar Products Used: MTB 6, Schwinn, Mongoose, Giant,
Bike Setup: Basic hardtail with a "Plain Jane" front shock. Nothing too fancy, but it works well.
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Submitted by
Jack
a Weekend Warrior
from Brunswick, ME, USA
Date Reviewed: November 30, 2007
Strengths: Frame is extremely tough. Great for a beginner like myself. Easy to learn on and quick to fix.
Weaknesses: Peddles broke landing off balance, replaces w/ cheap steal and haven't had any problems. A little heavy but that just makes you feel like superman when you get on a lighter bike.
Bottom Line:
Buy it, the frame alone is worth the $$. As you break things replace them with better parts and over time you'll have something worth bragging about. Great all around bike for beginners.
Submitted by
Richard
a Downhiller
from Somerset, England
Date Reviewed: September 21, 2007
Strengths: Fantastically strong frame, great entry level spec, easily upgraded, great value for money
Weaknesses: Fork!!, weight(as a stock bike it's not the lightest in the world)
Bottom Line:
I love this bike! I have thrashed it near to destruction in the 3 and a half years I've owned and the frame is still completely sound. I've ridden everything on it including 20 foot drops, 10 foot long dirt jumps and 40 mile cross country trails and it still keeps going. I will admit that I've had to replace almost every single part but the frame is still perfect. I would definitely recommend this to anyone just starting to ride mountain bikes and for the money, this is the best you can get
Bike Setup: only original parts: frame, seatpost, headset, handlebars, front mech
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Submitted by
Cammy Robbins
a Cross Country Rider
from Carnoustie, Angus, Scotland
Date Reviewed: April 2, 2007
Strengths: Light as hell, fantastic v-brakes. Bombproof. Really great geometry on this bike, scream round a corner and you feel in total control of the bike. Fantastic acceleration as well.
Weaknesses: Stock tyres are weak, had to change them to meatier ones. Cranks kinda shoddy, starting to clank and click now. Apart from that It's a great bike.
Bottom Line:
Kick-ass bike for the money, definatly worth looking at £300 when I bought it.
Bike Setup: Stock apart from Michellin Wildgripper Hots tyres front and rear
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Submitted by
bob arnold
a Downhiller
from sacramento ca,usa
Date Reviewed: December 23, 2006
Strengths: i love everything about this bike it is a very strong bike i hav riden it everywere. lots of people say olny the frame is good but everything is real sturdy ive riden this bike to hell and backn and its been great ihavent needed to replace anything
Weaknesses: nothing everything on this bike is great!!
Bottom Line:
this bike is great there is nothing wrong with it i would recommened it to anyone!! if u dont own this bike buy it now!!! i love this bike and i will keep it for a long time. if your looking for a good everywere bike this is your bike!!!
Similar Products Used: kona stuff,trek,rocky mountain,etc.
Bike Setup: stock
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Submitted by
Chris Taylor
a Weekend Warrior
from Sacramento Ca, Usa
Date Reviewed: May 30, 2006
Strengths: Very Strong Frame, Fairly good forks, if your a lighter rider (below 150), but heavier riders might bottom out the forks. With Downhill chain tensioner would be perfect for jumping.
Weaknesses: Broke the derailer hanger 2nd day on it landing hard. Seatpost was too long for me but I just got it cut.
Bottom Line:
Bottom line is that its a pretty sweet bike for the money, and the V-brakes are extremely good.
For jumpers I would definately reccommend a new fork if you dont like yours or if it fails, but if it works for you then no point in replacing it. Also, put a downhill chain tensioner on it or convert to single speed. This costs usually under 30 bucks so not that bad.
Submitted by
Mark
a Cross Country Rider
from Pullman, WA, USA
Date Reviewed: May 20, 2006
Strengths: The frame is awesome - very light, good geometry and agile. I've done urban bashing, trail riding, and city riding and the bike has done very well with all of them.
Weaknesses: I haven't seen too many so far... the front shocks are a little weak, but (as someone else mentioned) you're not going to find a $200 fork on a $300 bike. Maybe not the best bike if you're planning to do a lot of downhill riding.
Bottom Line:
This is one heck of an excellent bike for not a lot of money. Seriously, save yourself the trouble of a Walmart bike - pay the same amount and you can get this baby. Easy on the pocketbook, excellent handling in all situations = you couldn't ask for a better bike for the price!
Similar Products Used: Ironman Triathalon, Diamondback, Gary Fisher Tarpon, Kona, etc.
Bike Setup: stock
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Submitted by
Tim Dillingham
a Cross Country Rider
from olathe Ks
Date Reviewed: May 3, 2006
Strengths: This bike is tough I have put it through hell and back
Weaknesses: weak components i have had to replace every thing except the front derailer
Bottom Line:
This bike kicks ass I have done some crazy stuff on this bike and out rode guys on bikes that are 10 times as expensive. I will say if you ride hard you will be replacing alot of parts. I bought the bike for the frame itS solid and then I built it for cheap. this is a great bike and if you want a good bike without selling a kidney this will be great for you. but be prepared to break stuff.
Bike Setup: I have changed the cassete, pedals to clipless, mavic cross max wheels rock hopper handle bars, xt shift pods, avid single digit 7 brakes, xtr rear derailer, xt crank set. tubeless tires tired of the pinch flats. stock fork its junk but it woeks for now
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Submitted by
Scott Greenwood
a Cross Country Rider
from Dundee, UK
Date Reviewed: November 8, 2005
Strengths: Very good stability, Cost, Handling.
Weaknesses: Quality of parts. Pedals that can cut through flesh. Exposed gear changing wires.
Bottom Line:
After purchasing the bike I have rode at least 600 miles. In terms of road use, a 50 mile round trip was probable the max that you could go on this bike. The riding position is poor for such a distance nad the saddle provided uncomfortable. Howvever, purchase some padded shorts and a new saddle, add some bull bars and clipeless medals and your flying. At speed on dry roads, you can hear the tires knawing at the tarmac, pretty satisfying.
Offroad use... First off road use was a woodland trial with no climbs. Suspension more than adequate but dampening a bit poor. Speed on down hill sections is increased and the bike geometry allows you to whizz round corners without loosing stability. Severe offroad is probably not a good idea for those who are new to the game. This bike can just about cope with steep, low grip inclines, just!! The gear changes are sluggish and tire grip poor. The suspension cannot cope with drops in hieght when the full wieght of the bike is on the front wheel. To those wishing to pursue downhill primarily I'd advise a rockhopper, which has the gears and suspension to boot.
But, for a student strapped for cash, this bike is by far the best I have ridden and allows you to cycle almost anywhere thos unfit legs will take you.
Bike Setup: As purchased plus- Speciliazed bull bars - very good on longer rides to alter riding position Shimano SPD medals (the cheapest) A good chain cleaner and lube!! Speciliazed telluride sedal
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Submitted by
Todd
a Cross Country Rider
from West Linn, Oregon
Date Reviewed: June 21, 2005
Strengths: Appealing to the eye, decient handle bars and stem, decient tires, fork is really soft
Weaknesses: cannot make the fork stiff enough, I completly bottemed out the fork, the fork needs to be replaced as it is way too soft, bottems out when riding over curbs
Bottom Line:
I would reccomend this bike to anyone, it is a good bike and very nice quality but you wouldent want to spend a fortune on upgrading it, it would be a great bike if you got it for the right price
Submitted by
phoeneous
a Cross Country Rider
from Vegas
Date Reviewed: June 8, 2005
Strengths: Very inexpensive for the parts you get. Good frame for Agressive XC.
Weaknesses: Cheap, entry-level components! The sticker on the stem actually said "Not intended for off-road use"!
Bottom Line:
This is by far the best entry-level bike that you can get for $300. Ive had mine for two years and have never had a major problem with it. I did upgrade nearly everything by now but the frame is durable for my type of riding.
The only problem is the components but what do you expect for $300? Rims stayed true for about a year.
If youre a beginner mtb'er and cant decide what bike to start off with, get a HardRock and just ride! You wont regret it!
Strengths: This bike got a pretty tough frame- it's pretty light and strong, and it's good for almost all type of riding. The cranks are alright too.
Weaknesses: I would say the fork. The RST is stiff. It feels hard when you lean on it, but it sinks quickly when there's pressure on it. Maybe that's why they are called Rapid Suspension Technology. The tires look good at first-thy end up bigger than it is supposed to, but they get worned in a fair amount of time. Brakes too worn out in a quick amount of time, but this is what you get for the price. Also the pedals are too sharp. They cut through my shoes!
Bottom Line:
This bike is perfect for people who rides to work, or lite/moderate trails. It's a Jack of All Trades bike. But this bike is bad for urban assault. I hop off a curb and the preload adjusting cork on the fork popped out. The frame is pretty tall for dirt jumping too. Good chainstay length for all purpose. So if you are looking for a good bike for riding it to work or a grocery store, or you're a family guy who plans to ride with your kids in the recreation park in the weekends, this is the perfect bike for you. If you're a novice street or dirt jumper, you might as well get something else. Despite my negative reviews, this bike is still worth it, overall.
