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Specialized
Hardrock A1 Comp FS
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Submitted by
mtbrmike
a Cross Country Rider
from Omaha, NE, USA
Date Reviewed: January 3, 2009 | | Favorite Trail: | wabash | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$470.00 | | Purchased At: | bikeworld DesMoines | | Strengths: | The frame is strong and light weight and most of the components are top quality. Tires are great XC and sloppy trail tires. Rockshoc fork (JUDY TT)can handle anything you can throw at it. | | Weaknesses: | Found brakes were okay for most riding but will need to be upgraded for any hard trail riding. Stem has to high of a pitch (rise) for down hill trail rides, would switch to a 0 degree stem. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized rockhopper comp. | | Bike Setup: | 0 degree Kore stem, Raceface XCL threadless headset, Avid BB7 disc brakes (160 mm)with full metal jacket brake cables from Avid, Shimano Deore disc wheelset with Sun Rhyno lite rims (26 inch), and wilderness trails comfort zone saddle | | Bottom Line: | The bottom line is that this is a great bike for the weekend person to hit the trails with and you don't need to do anything to the bike to have a great ride. If you are looking for a true comp bike that can handle the hardest of rocky teeth busting trails this is the bike for you, if you don't mind making a few upgrades. This bike has a great frame and fork that can easily be upgraded in just a day. I would buy this bike again! | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
mr ben
a Weekend Warrior
from pittsburgh, PA USA
Date Reviewed: July 30, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$450.00 | | Purchased At: | Gatto | | Strengths: | frame is the best ive ever ridden. the giant tires make anything easy. i've read a lot of ppl dont like the fork. they are dumb. its adjustible for a reason. i make mine hard on roads/hills and squishy on trails. i love it | | Weaknesses: | after my first rough rides my bb started to pop. ??? it still rides fine. but the ugly.. the grips wouldnt hold wet mud, much less my sweaty hands. the front derailler craked after my first bad fall. the seat is a pain! my feet slip off the pedals a lot too. | | Similar Products Used: | areoplane | | Bike Setup: | new seat and front derailler, other wise just ride it! | | Bottom Line: | buy this bike if you want a deal. i dont think i'll ever spend my hard earned bucks on anything but Specialized. i am very fond of hardtails, and i think this is the best for your money. but you will need gloves | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jerrid Mulligan
a Weekend Warrior
from MN
Date Reviewed: July 13, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Lebenon Hills | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$330.00 | | Purchased At: | Erik's Bike and Fitness | | Strengths: | Own a 96 Hardrock GX since new: Quality frame, takes a beating, good treads, good ride | | Weaknesses: | Cheap derailluer, grip shift can be bumped easily on trails, (96 no suspension!) | | Similar Products Used: | Gary Fischer Marlin | | Bike Setup: | Road/Trail | | Bottom Line: | Good begginner bike, decent parts, good frame, cheap prices | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Annie
a Weekend Warrior
from Galashiels, Scotland
Date Reviewed: February 28, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Glentress Forest | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$400.00 | | Purchased At: | Edinburgh Bicycle Co-op | | Strengths: | Tough frame
Reasonably good components
Price
Looks and colour (red)
Position a little too upright | | Weaknesses: | Paint chips easily
Bottom bracket
Uncomfortable seat
Gearchanges aren't as smooth as I'd like | | Similar Products Used: | None (unless you count my old Raleigh steel-framed rigid bike); it came tops in an MBR magazine review for hardtails of a similar price, so bought it on the strength of that | | Bike Setup: | Standard setup except changed saddle for Specialized Body Geometry Womens (not that comfy, but good for xc where you sometimes have to get right off the back of the saddle) and a wider, more comfy Selle Italia Zero women's saddle for road work, and Specialized Hemisphere Ex tyres for road work; however, I have also ordered a Truvativ Hussefelt stem (much shorter), an upgraded bottom bracket, and S-Works grips, which hopefully should be with me this week | | Bottom Line: | This is a tough bike for allround use. I used it for two years three times a week on roads, doing between 40 and 60 miles a week, and the only problem I had with it was a less than satisfactory gear change, which despite adjustments has never totally cleared up. I've just started using it on mountain bike trails, and it handles all the berms, bumps and small drop-offs admirably well. The bottom bracket was shot after a couple of times out there, but after being used for two years on the road that's not a problem; I've upgraded the bottom bracket and hopefully that'll last me a while. The standard tyres are fine for dry dirt tracks, but on gloopy mud you'd need a more hardcore tread, and I prefer my semi-slicks for easier rolling on road in summer.
All in all, a very good bike for the price, which can do most things you ask of it; I'm sure I'll eventually be tempted to buy a full-suspension bike for offroading, but for now it makes more sense to upgrade the components on this Hardrock as and when needed.
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Submitted by
wesley jones
a Downhiller
from lakeside CA, US
Date Reviewed: January 21, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | anywhere | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$450.00 | | Purchased At: | Zimwalts College Cyclery | | Strengths: | ( i actually have an 03) very good suspension and very strong frame and also has disc brakes switches gear on the fly very good fun bike. | | Weaknesses: | well the brakes don't work very good and they start to squeak after about 3 weeks pedals aren't very good | | Similar Products Used: | first mtb bike | | Bike Setup: | as soft as the forks will go i love it | | Bottom Line: | this is a great freeride bike for beginner to advance. it is good for dirt jumping and also good for downhill trail riding and street riding. it is so much fun to do wheelies on and it is so effortless. it is awesome i love that bike i ride everyday. if you're gonna buy a harftail then buy the Hardrock Comp. it is a great bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
patrick culhane
a Cross Country Rider
from omaha, nebraska, U.S.
Date Reviewed: October 5, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | winter park | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$450.00 | | Purchased At: | The Bike Rack | | Strengths: | very nice drivetrain, front fork. Very sturdy and light frame. That frame can live through anything. | | Weaknesses: | The only downside to this bike is that the saddle goes right up ur ass. I had to get another saddle cuz i couldnt take it any more | | Bottom Line: | I love this bike. Ive had it for 2 years and its held up very well. Ive crashed numerous times and there was hardly a scratch. very solid drivetrain, you select a gear and it stays there, unlike some other bikes that jumps out of the gear under pressure. i would only advise to get new tire with more grip and a new seat that doesnt go up ur ass. I hope u choose this bike, im glad i did | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Marco Elenes
a Racer
from Hanford CA USA
Date Reviewed: July 28, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | To work and back | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$330.00 | | Purchased At: | Visalia Cyclery | | Strengths: | Good frame, light considering size, Sturdy frame taking a couple of nasty falls,easy to move around by hand whenever nessacary.
| | Weaknesses: | Seat hurts at the first couple of days then i guess ones bum gets used to it, the fork sux from other reviews that i have heard. The tock pedals suck big ones. | | Similar Products Used: | Huffy, and Murray | | Bike Setup: | Sigma 1200 Computer, Serafas rear light and and Krypto lite Lock | | Bottom Line: | Good bike for ans entry rider as myself and alot of bike for the buck. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Gordon Zapatos
a Racer
from Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA
Date Reviewed: July 24, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Collin's mom's happy trial | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$400.00 | | Purchased At: | Tyree's Mom's friend's sister's cousin's zoo store | | Strengths: | Great for just cruisin' the ave with some good friends on a tuesday or thursday night or for going to the zoo to observe some endangered birds of prey. This bicycle really does have it going on! | | Weaknesses: | Every once in a while the front tire will come off. this only happens when you are ridng too hard though. It isn't a huge problem as long as you always have your torque wrench on hand, or at least a jelly sandwich. | | Similar Products Used: | Thompson's brand baby cooking microwave and baby cabobs | | Bike Setup: | two tires mounted on an air intake system valve connected to a bike frame with seven...yes sevenn seats so that you can ride with your friends. The under water dog catching unit, which is mounted on the handle bars is detatchable, so you can take it off when you don't want to race. | | Bottom Line: | I'll tell you the bottom line, great biking with great friends. The Specialized hardrock series is truly an excellant line of scooter bikes that can easily be converted into xylophone earings for when you ride your bike to the banquet hall or the waiting room at a dentists office. The most important thing to remember when riding this bike is to just have fun! If you are cruisin' the ave and you come upon a large group of african americans drinking forty ounce bottles of schlitz's malt liquor don't hesitate to kill them. This bike is definitely fast enough to get you away from any dangerous african americans or police officers. One other important freature of the Specialized Hard Rock is that it has an integrated tomato paste dispesnsor for when you need to make pizzas on the run. Have fun and ride hard! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Marc-André Coté
a Weekend Warrior
from Québec Canada
Date Reviewed: June 30, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Street | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$700.00 | | Purchased At: | Bicicles record | | Strengths: | The frame is very strong even after going on big drops.
| | Weaknesses: | The chain keeps banging on the rear tube which makes the paint come off. You can easily overcome this by putting an old inner tube round the bit where the chain keeps banging and wrecking the paintjob. | | Similar Products Used: | Shwinn Mesa GSX. | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | I think this is a very good bike even if you go on big jumps or you are a cross country rider. The frame is very strong and light.I think this bike is a good all around bike if you do not have a million dollars to spend.
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Submitted by
Mike
a Cross Country Rider
from Omaha
Date Reviewed: May 8, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$450.00 | | Strengths: | **** This is a follow-up review ****
The Frame is great. The wheels have held up well. | | Weaknesses: | The original seat was terrible. The Judy TT is not a good fork. | | Similar Products Used: | Cannondale, Trek | | Bike Setup: | Panaracer tires, Ritchey stem, carbon flat bar, WTB seat, Duke fork... etc | | Bottom Line: | The bottom line is that there are parts on this bike that did not hold up after a year of riding. I now run a Duke SL-100 which is one heck of a peice of hardware. Beats the heck out of the Judy. Much lighter and much more adjustable.
I changed out the stem and handlebars. I have never liked risers and the riding position was too up-right. The original tires were not good, so I put on Fire Pro 1.8's which are great. I ride it 4 times a week when there is no snow on the ground. Great bike.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Heidi M
a Downhiller
from Lehighton
Date Reviewed: March 8, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | quarry | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Purchased At: | blue mountain sports | | Strengths: | frame is very strong!!!! | | Weaknesses: | Judy TT need I say more??? the pedals gave me some nice markings, seat hurts the bum, the balance point is really small. | | Similar Products Used: | some sort of trek | | Bike Setup: | stock except the stem, pedals and tires which are maxxis highrollers. | | Bottom Line: | this is a great light hardtail for the beginner. I really HATE Judy TT's but it was a good price. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Eric
a Weekend Warrior
from New Jersey
Date Reviewed: January 25, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$470.00 | | Purchased At: | Peddler Bike Shop | | Strengths: | awsome frame, very strong, very light, and awsome solid yellow paintjob | | Weaknesses: | the components on it | | Similar Products Used: | aggressor 1.0's, azonic ds1, kona roast | | Bike Setup: | 02 psylo race, xt/mavic 517's, avid sd7 brakes and levers, xt-shifters, derailers, hubs, chain, race face prodigy dh crank and prodigy bb, odi lock ons, tioga factory dh 2.1's, primo platforms | | Bottom Line: | this is an awsome bike to ride, even though my bike is nothing like the stock hardrock comp, i was doint a 6' drop's into a steep transition(once landed it was about 8')
when the bike was completely stock, bike does have a lot of potential as mine now is set up better than friends brand new $1200 kona roast. this is a great all around bike, ive done xc, free ride, moderate dh, distance races, urban assualt. this bike kicks and is worth every dollar you put into it, so what if you wont get it back when u try seling it, if you ride it for a year you wont even think about selling it, im no. im keppin mine for a long time to come | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Gabe
a Weekend Warrior
from Boston, MA, USA
Date Reviewed: January 15, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Dirt Jumps | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$480.00 | | Purchased At: | International Bike | | Strengths: | Good frame, not that heavy. Decent components. | | Weaknesses: | Front derailer, fork, tires, pedals | | Similar Products Used: | Haro Escape 8.2(?) | | Bike Setup: | Rockshock Judy, Black Spire Bashguard, MTB raptor tires, rest is stock | | Bottom Line: | Pretty good bike for the money, its held up will. Pretty good for urban/dirt jumps. But, its not great for XC. I only paid like $480 and i got what i paid for. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike
a Weekend Warrior
from Milledgeville
Date Reviewed: November 4, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | urban ville | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$502.00 | | Strengths: | the frame can take some pretty decent hits (I've taken up to a 10 foot drop and average 4 to 5 flatground drops) rims have stood up to everything pretty much but take into consideration I'm only 140 pounds | | Weaknesses: | cheap rear derailer flexy bottom bracket can we say judy tt shox??? | | Similar Products Used: | an oldschool Gt and also a newer one | | Bike Setup: | easton handlebar, upgraded bottom bracket and brakes and rear derailer to XT, soon to be psylo sl fork | | Bottom Line: | it's a nice bang for your buck. Its like a freaking timex it just keeps on ticking. one nice frame, but the componets are cheap. And with the frames warrenty, why not upgrade when you find what you like. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Alan
a Racer
from Toronto
Date Reviewed: October 26, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | HighPark and Humber River | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | I have so much trust in the frame of this bike that I am undergoing a project to build a 4.5ft drop off into a downhill valley. Around 6ft once landed on slope.
| | Weaknesses: | Chain hits. corection: Tighten up rear derailer or take out chain links.
Bottom Bracket Burns out-Correction: Get a VP Cartridge BB for only 40 Canadian.
Brake pads bad in wet-Correction:get new all weather ones for 12 bucks
Pedals,Small-Correction:get flats
I have just listed everything I could possibly list thats negative of the bike. | | Similar Products Used: | I did not bother when I rode and saw this bike. I saw it a purcased it and never really gave any other bike a 2nd thought for under $700.00000000000000000000000000 Canadian. | | Bike Setup: | Flats, Deore brake system, Titec half inch riser, Shimano LX B/B | | Bottom Line: | A MOMENT OF SILENCE FOR ALL SPECIALIZED BIKES...............................................................................................Thank you. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Walt
a Weekend Warrior
from Cincinnati
Date Reviewed: October 17, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$420.00 | | Purchased At: | montgomery cyclery | | Strengths: | light and strong frame, the judy tt is great for the price . AFFORDABLE. | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | trek 4900, specialized Hardrock A1 PRO | | Bike Setup: | stock | | Bottom Line: | for the $$$great bike for the money it is the best you can buy for 450 or under | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bicycle Theorist
a
from earth
Date Reviewed: October 10, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | The theory of this bike is very overall good. This bike can handle a 5 foot drop with ease and take on some needed speed for a 60k bike ride.This bike is a SPECIALIZED bighit DH and a road bike jumbled together. | | Weaknesses: | Ive been having some trouble with the headset. It sounds like it ticks againts the frame but its not loose at all. B/B might need a upgrade. other than that the conclusion is that it is capable for some serious riding. | | Bike Setup: | stock-ish | | Bottom Line: | Sure you can get the plush easy,20 foot drop in capable SPECIALIZED big hit DH for the price of a motorcycle but will that get you 20-30-40-50k to your favorite drop or your dmired downhill run. No. Gotta take the car. Maybe a SPECIALIZED S-WORKS road bike. Sure it will get you as far as you want to go and beat some cars and go 90k down hill but will that bike be capable of a 5 foot drop, off road trails, ramp jumping. no.
For some of us we are ritch and can easily buy all 3 bike types. DOWN HILL, RACING, MTB maybe even freeeeeeee ride(P.3) but thats close to $20,000.
So If you want a bike that can do a bit of alll the wonderful aspects of biking go for the SPECIALIZED hard rock comp. U wont regret it. Thank you and have a nice ride. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jeff H
a Weekend Warrior
from san diego , CA
Date Reviewed: October 9, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$400.00 | | Purchased At: | mission cyclery | | Strengths: | good looks, good components, love the yellow color! | | Weaknesses: | broke the rear derailleur on the first ride, but was replaced with a deore, for free. the seat is a pain in the ass but i'm getting used to it, or i've just lost all feeling all together. | | Similar Products Used: | trek 4500, mongoose dx 5.3... | | Bike Setup: | stock 2k2 hardrock... with/cateye enduro 2 | | Bottom Line: | this is my first real mountian bike so i have nothing to base it on other than the bikes i've test rode. i choose this bike over the trek only because it had a better feel to it (better geometery). and i choose this bike over the mongoose because the mongoose is just way to heavy (cro-moly), and came with lower end components. if you're new to this sport and think you're going to really get into it, this is the bike for you! if you're the type of person that's just "testing the waters" minus well go with a used bike or borrow one for a ride.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Parker
a
from Atlanta, Georgia
Date Reviewed: September 26, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Yellow River | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$450.00 | | Purchased At: | Outback Bikes | | Strengths: | Good, solid frame, judy TT is awesome for the price | | Weaknesses: | a little bit heavy | | Similar Products Used: | Kona Hahanna | | Bike Setup: | profile stem, shimano M515 clipless pedals, yeti grips, panaracer downhill tires, coda expert saddle, coda flat handlebars | | Bottom Line: | This is a great bike especially for the money, great for upgrading, which i am planning to do in a week or to to full XT components | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Alan
a
from Toronto
Date Reviewed: September 26, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | this is a question.
my chain hits to much what can i do to tighten it? | | Bike Setup: | Platform pedals, water bottle cage, | | Bottom Line: | yes i am wondering what to upgrade on this bike i have it and i want to get some handle bars or something. also my grips are wearing off should i get the red s-works grips.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dangerous Dave
a Cross Country Rider
from UK
Date Reviewed: September 26, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Sussex Downs | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$650.00 | | Purchased At: | UK | | Strengths: | Most of it is pretty sound stuff, Frame is great, forks are ok, levers and gear pods rock! and overall nothing is complete rubbish (apart from the pedals) Alex rims are good too. | | Weaknesses: | Front derialer is ok when new, but after a bit of use suckz, the pedals are awful, shin destroying devices-they are tiny and not much grip so ur feet slip lotz. brakes dont work when its wet. | | Similar Products Used: | Carrera Kracken, Hardrock A1FS, Specialized stumpjumper FSR COmp, raleigh Daytona and Europa disc. trials stuff and loads more. | | Bike Setup: | Shorter ameoba stem, Specialized BMX pedals, specialised team control front tyre, and other little things. | | Bottom Line: | Overall a wicked bike for its price and u can use it for pretty hardcore stuff, with high pressures in the tyres it cruises great on roads, take the psi out and feel the control on dusty trails. Some people dont like the tyres but thats because they're an allrounder tyre not specific XC or whatever. Ive done about 600 miles in 6 months and apart from cable stretch everythings still holding. Forks are a bit stiff and squeek. factory pads wear quick but stopping power is fine. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Alan
a Weekend Warrior
from Toronto
Date Reviewed: September 24, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$689.00 | | Strengths: | -price
-frame
-colour
-wheels
-tires
-steering response
-feel
-durability
-worthy of any upgrade
-looks
-strength
-overall use for any ride(D/H, F/R, XC, Road)
-make
-frame material
-rock shox
| | Weaknesses: | -chain hits frame
-front fork hits(if you push down on the fork and eject yourself up off stairs or a ramp you hear the fork spring back to position) | | Bottom Line: | Read what I had to say about this bike it is the truth and the best review overall that could ever be written of the Hard Rock Comp. If you Dislike anything else of the bike you must be some kind of pro rider competing or an extremist doing 7 foot drops.
I quote this from MTB Magazine"the 2002 specialized hard rock comp is worthy of any upgrade" the bike just starts from there.
If anyone has or is buying the bike please e-mail me Id love to talk about this bike and biking overall.
metalgear91@hotmail.com | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Zach Hartmann
a Weekend Warrior
from Missoula
Date Reviewed: September 13, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Spring to Wallmans | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$400.00 | | Purchased At: | Big Sky Cyclery | | Strengths: | The bike is light and climbs well. Can take small jumps. Feels comfortable when riding. I like the look. | | Weaknesses: | The components are cheap. I've spent more money repairing the bike than the bike cost. I bought WTB Velociraptors because the tires had no grip. The handlebar should raise up. The seatpost stiped to easily and had to replace it twice. Doesn't wheelie to well. | | Similar Products Used: | Gary Fisher Tassahara, GT ,Diamondback Sorrento | | Bike Setup: | Normal hardtail bike. | | Bottom Line: | This is a good first bike to get you started. I would reccommend that you try not to brake the rear durrailure or the bike doesn't function at all | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
jerry
a Downhiller
from texas
Date Reviewed: September 7, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | the shock weave ally crazy hell water dungeon trail | | Duration Product Used: | Tested or demo'ed only | | Strengths: | ehhhhh let me seee now. | | Weaknesses: | th ebike is great i went off a 6 fooot drop and the bike landed effortlessly | | Similar Products Used: | i tried a kona stab primo but it just does not compare with the speedy fast strong stirdy jumpy durable incredible and that is no overstatment. | | Bike Setup: | Stock, | | Bottom Line: | buy it abuse it and have some hard rock jumps. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Travis
a Weekend Warrior
from St. Louis, Mo, USA
Date Reviewed: September 5, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Cliff Caves | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$300.00 | | Purchased At: | Big Shark | | Strengths: | The Alivio stuff seems decent enough for the average rider that likes to ride trails and use it for commuting as well. The front (acera) derailer has needed some adjusting but nothing a decent biker can't fix on their own. I think the frame is pretty solid, and a good foundation to the rest of the bike. The seat is pretty comfortable, yet not a big nasty looking couch cushion. | | Weaknesses: | I have bent the back rim twice already. I am a big guy (200 lbs) and I think I have not had enough air in the back tire. Keep it pumped up to max PSI (for road riding) and you should be ok. | | Similar Products Used: | Hardrock Pro, and Cheapest Rockhopper | | Bike Setup: | Stock with new Deore back wheel (because of extremely bent stock wheel). Added bar ends to save my hands. | | Bottom Line: | Never had a major problem with the bike, and I think it was an awesome buy. Good bike for people that are athletic and want to ride hard and have fun........and perfect for getting your feet wet. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Glenn
a Weekend Warrior
from Ocean County, New Jersey
Date Reviewed: August 31, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$450.00 | | Purchased At: | Local Bike Shop | | Strengths: | For bikes I looked at good price (at time of purchase), and reasonably light. Decent components that actually hold up for myself. Crisp shifting when components are tuned and clean. | | Weaknesses: | Front derailer is no good, I had the tires changed at the bike shop for an even swap out(many sandy trails near me). | | Similar Products Used: | Mongoose Solution, looked at GT's and Diamond backs, and others within price range. | | Bike Setup: | all stock currently. | | Bottom Line: | Just getting back into bikes after a long time since my young teens years. The Mongoose was unable to hold up to my riding. This bike has held up to everything I have dished out to it so far, without bent rims or broken chainrings. I feel this bike is worth upgrading. First thing WILL be the front derailleur. I am weighing my options(and learning), may upgrade this bike to a 9 speed rear derailer. 4 Chillis due to front derailer, but heck, that is cheap enough to replace. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bonefied Jones
a Cross Country Rider
from Fort Bragg,NC United States of America
Date Reviewed: August 26, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | single track some where around here | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$470.00 | | Purchased At: | The Bicycle Shop Fayetteville,NC | | Strengths: | Stiff frame, nice color, decent componet group, tough stem, and handle bars. | | Weaknesses: | Crappy front derailure, paint chips easily, tires are to wide for pavement and too slick for loose dirt. Front shock likes to bog down sometimes. | | Similar Products Used: | trek 4500 trek 800 | | Bike Setup: | Stock except for cipless pedals they are made by rockwerks and I use specialized rockhopper shoes. | | Bottom Line: | Excellent bike for the dizzos. Stiff frame which may be easily upgraded with a few components. The tires suck for trails just to be honest. I feel riding with them is making me a better rider though. They do work well on loose sand when it is wet. The front derailure is different every time you ride I have found that ajusting the shifter not the derailure seems to work best. I have jumped this bike 4 or 5 feet above the ground a few times, dropped 3 feet off a loading dock multiple times, and assaulted several flights of steps with no trouble. I ride alot of single track with it find it negotiates technicals quite well. This bike is excellent for the beginner and acceptable for the intermediate rider. A few upgrades here and there and you can easily have as nice a bike as a rockhopper for less $$$. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
B Macc
a Weekend Warrior
from Scotland
Date Reviewed: August 23, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$530.00 | | Purchased At: | Edinburgh bike co | | Strengths: | -Looks!
-Frame
-Price | | Weaknesses: | -stock pedals
-no disk brake cable mounts | | Bike Setup: | -R/S Duke XC
-XT front disk
-XT front hub (disK)
-Easton EA50 stem/bars
-Ritchey Headset
-Panaracer Fire XC Pro
| | Bottom Line: | This is a superb bike for the $, For the money you will be hard pushed to find a better bike. I got the pedals swapped in the shop, stock ones are rubish. Changed Judy shock for a Duke and fitted flat bars and a new stem. The S. Rockster tyres are decent, but for trails you will want to change them. Bottom line: the A1 Comp rides well and looks good, with a few upgrades this is an excellent bike. Go buy one!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Leo
a Cross Country Rider
from Los Angeles, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: August 21, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | El Preito trail near JPL | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$429.00 | | Purchased At: | SuperGo | | Strengths: | Great frame! Very strong. Its taken a beating and still riding strong! | | Weaknesses: | Front derailleur sucks. Needs adjustment all the time. Stem is too long, sometimes I feel like I'm going to flip over heading down a trail. Pedals suck too. Only 8-speed. | | Similar Products Used: | Friend's Gary Fisher. | | Bike Setup: | Well, I've had the bike for a few months now and let me tell ya, it's not the same bike anymore. I've changed basically everything. New components include, Rock Shox Psylo SL fork w/U-turn, Panaracer Fire XC tires, Mavic Rims,XTR derailleurs, XT 9-speed cassette,RaceFace Next LP cranks, XTR shifters, brake levers, and brakes. Race Face stem and handle bar, Thompson Seat post. And some $20 platform pedals, not the best but they work well. | | Bottom Line: | The bottom line is if your thinking about getting into Mountain biking, I recommend this bike. It is a very good beginning bike and you'll have plenty-O-fun with it. The price is right and it looks great! Ride On!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
willi
a Racer
from california
Date Reviewed: August 20, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | the one behind my house | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$370.00 | | Purchased At: | cv cyclery | | Strengths: | every thing is good on the bike the shocks are awsome the frame looks sick and the color the color red its great | | Weaknesses: | nothing really i dont like the seat that it comes with but thats just me its nothing big but every thing eles is good | | Similar Products Used: | gt hardrock comp 1998 and 1998 | | Bike Setup: | enduro tires rock shox judt TT | | Bottom Line: | the bottom line if you want a new bike and dont feel like spending $1000 dalla then i would recomend this bike its one of the best bikes i bought for less then 800 dollors | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jimmy T US
a
from USA
Date Reviewed: August 16, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | JudyTT, Tires... | | Weaknesses: | I have a couple bikes | | Similar Products Used: | DukeSL-100, Ritchey Pro Stem, WTB Seat, Flat handlebar w/ends, Panaracer Fire XC's | | Bike Setup: | DukeSL-100, Ritchey Pro stem, Panaracer Fire Pro XC's, flat bar. | | Bottom Line: | I have had it for 7 months and outside of a couple pieces, it has been a very solid bike. I dislike riser bars and the stem was too long and too beefy for what I need. I replaced all of that when I replaced the fork. The bike really started to feel nice after that.
The tires are good for the street, not got the trail. The JudyTT is still functional, but it was not plush or adjustable. Plus it was 5lbs. It was a no brainer to replace it.
I ride to work everyday and head off-road on the weekends. I have always used my older FSR, but the Hardrock is just too fun to ride. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
three zero three
a Weekend Warrior
from Eville! AB, Canada
Date Reviewed: August 11, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$450.00 | | Purchased At: | the Eville Western Cycle | | Strengths: | -its red
-its tough
-the frame is nice
-not too expensive
-fairly light
-most of the components function okay
-it can go really fast
-its red!!! | | Weaknesses: | -(klank!) what (klank!) the (klank!)(klank!) hell?! (klank!)(klank!)(klank!) chainslap anyone?(klank!)(klank!)
-paint chips easy(minor, but still)
-front der needs constant adjusting
-stock tires suck for anything other than pavement
-the stem on the 21" frame is stupid long, and flexy
-the handle bars are too short! arrgh!
-stock pedals are crap
-so is the judy tt | | Similar Products Used: | 150 lb supercycle gemini about 6 or 7 years ago. ewww! | | Bike Setup: | 02 hr comp fs + atomlab aircorp 65mm stem + atomlab aircorp pedals + sks fenders | | Bottom Line: | the hr frame is really nice, i basically got this one because of the colour. :P yeah, mock me if you want, but its true. i knew i would be upgrading almost everything off this bike, its too bad that the a1fs comes in crap colours cuz i could've saved myself about $100(same frame). as i slowly change out the uncomfortable parts i'm enjoying it even more. the weaknesses i have pointed out are personal prefs and probably are decent in most cases, so they shouldn't deter you from buying it, it really is excellent! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
kelly
a Cross Country Rider
from ellington, ct 06029
Date Reviewed: August 7, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$465.00 | | Purchased At: | Vernon Cycle | | Strengths: | this is a good all around bike - i ride it to work, on trails, up hills and down. it looks good and is practical. its lightweight and comes with a good setup. specialized did a good job with this bike and you can upgrade | | Weaknesses: | front derailer isn't too hot, i brought it back to the shop to have them adjust it and it still isn't working as good as one should | | Bike Setup: | stock with clip in pedals | | Bottom Line: | good bike for the money
decent fork
takes a good pounding
i would recommend it for beginner to intermediate riders | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
FOE ONE XTC
a
from NYC
Date Reviewed: August 1, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | GREENBELT/STILLWELL AVE. TRAIL | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$460.00 | | Strengths: | STRONG FRAME, NICE FORKS. BIKE HAS GOOD COMPONENTS & IT IS A GOOD BIKE TO SWITCH ITEMS ON IT. | | Weaknesses: | TIRES ARE TERRIBLE ON TRAILS, I WANT TO CHANGE THE FRONT BRAKE TO DISC BRAKES, THE BIKE NEEDS A SHORTER STEM(TO FAR OF A REACH).
| | Similar Products Used: | NONE | | Bike Setup: | STOCK
| | Bottom Line: | I LIKE THE BIKE FROM THE DAY I'VE BOUGHT IT. IT RIDES WELL IN BOTH THE STREET AND TRAILS. THE ONLY BAD PART ABOUT TRAILS IS THE TIRE DON'T HOLD WHEN GOING DOWNHILL. THE ONLY PARTS I REALLY WOULD LIKE THE CHANGE: I WOULD PUT A RACEFACE SHORT STEM THAN THE STOCK ONE, CHANGE THE TIRES FOR SOMETHING THAT WOULD GRIP THE TRAIL BETTER, AND POSSIBLY CHANGE THE FRONT BRAKE TO A DISC BRAKE. OTHERWISE THE BIKE IS DEFINITELY WORTH THE PRICE. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bob
a Cross Country Rider
from Marysville CA
Date Reviewed: July 30, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | South yuba(all 16 miles) | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$450.00 | | Purchased At: | Local shop | | Strengths: | Very tough frame not to heavy. Very stiff . | | Weaknesses: | Frame flex from brakes could use a brake booster. | | Similar Products Used: | LOTS | | Bike Setup: | Psylo XC , Sun rhyno lites Xt hubs , Avid arch rival brakes , Thomson seat post , LX cranks and shifters , Deore derailers and some other great budget parst | | Bottom Line: | I got this bike for the wife and she wanted the 19 inch frame ( I SAID GET THE 17). It was too big after all.I then bought her a 17 frame on the cheap and swapped everyting over. The bike stock worked very nice I rode it a bit. I needed a second bike so it worked out. I built it up for my needs and I really like the frame. It has held up great to some abusive urban riding , BMX track and towing the kid on the tag a long. What I thought was a disaster worked out I got a good frame and the wife got her new bike. I have had the bike close to 5 months and I really like it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Josh Shenkle
a Weekend Warrior
from Duluth, MN, USA
Date Reviewed: July 30, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Hartley | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$450.00 | | Purchased At: | The Ski Hut | | Strengths: | Strong, Perfect weight, Decent Components, PRICE!!!!, and Durability. | | Weaknesses: | Front Derailer!, Fork! | | Similar Products Used: | N/A | | Bike Setup: | The one I am reviewing. | | Bottom Line: | I love this bike I can beat on it to death and it comes back to life every time. Strong enough for downhilling, and still light enough to do some XC trails. It is a little heavy for up hill rides but hey it gives you a good work out. This bike is my all around bike and I can do anything and everything that I want with it. It was in my price range do to the fack that I am a poor ass college Student. I did swap out the stock stem, handle bars, and fork do to the major beatings the bike gets, I swap out for a race face stem, Titech Hellbent DH riser bar, and a 2002 Psylo XC with U-Turn control. Next to go is the Front Derailer and the stock tires to something lighter. I just ordered myself some clipless pedals(my first pair) so I can ride like the big boys. Over all I love this bike and for the money and quality it is a great buy for the buck!!! Ride Hard!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Adam
a Weekend Warrior
from Hawthorne, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: July 25, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$370.00 | | Purchased At: | SuperGo | | Strengths: | I'm relatively new to mountain biking so I haven't tried much else. From what I can tell this is a quality bike. The frame seems tough and sturdy. The paint job is much more respectable (simple) than some other "cheesey" jobs I've seen. Low price compared to similar bikes. | | Weaknesses: | Front dereailleur sucks. | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | Shimano Front Derailleur XTR FD-M953, SHIMANO LX M571 Crankset, SHIMANO ES-70 BB, softer seat, everything else stock. | | Bottom Line: | Well, I started off just wanting to change the front derailleur but I got a little carried away upgrading components. The FD kept needing adjustment, so I figured that I'd just go get a better FD. Turns out the one I got wasn't compatible with my crankset, so I bought a new crankset. Which turned out to be incompatible with by bottom bracket, so I replaced that. I probably should have taken it to a bike shop and they could have told me this, but I like to learn how to do these sort of things on my own, and ask for help if i get in trouble. Anyway, the bike works beautifully now. Smooth, quiet shifting and a nice ride. As time goes by, I'll probably upgrade the rear derailleur and the fork, but until then I'm completely happy with this bike. 4 flames only because of the stock FD. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Cameron
a Weekend Warrior
from Folsom, CA
Date Reviewed: July 23, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$430.00 | | Purchased At: | L.B.S. | | Strengths: | -great crankset, very strong frame, really nice geometry
-nice rims
-good brakes and levers | | Weaknesses: | -front shocks are ok for a beginner
-rear derailleur sux!
-could be 9spd instead of 8 | | Similar Products Used: | friends GT aggressor | | Bike Setup: | fully stock except 2001 Manitou X-Vert!!!!! i love them! | | Bottom Line: | this is a great bike for a beginner, but if you want to hit some bigger jumps you need a new front fork. i am thinking about upgrading the derailleurs too. i started out on this bike, and it has been holding up great now that i have the new forks. that would have been better if it came stock with a 9spd drive instead of 8 because it is kinda hard to find 8spd parts that are good. this bike rules for the price!!!!!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
mike
a Cross Country Rider
from Califon
Date Reviewed: July 21, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Round Valley | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$400.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike King | | Strengths: | Frame is very stiff(maybe to stiff)
All around great bike
components | | Weaknesses: | the front fork if you are a serious rider it su**s
the frame is not forgiving at alllllllllll!!!!!!!!!! | | Similar Products Used: | Trek 820 p.o.s, schwinn mesa (friends bikes) | | Bike Setup: | stock + Panaracer tires | | Bottom Line: | Great bike for a beginner (that is what is was to begin with but a year later i realized i need a better bike because it is not meant for what I do) so i upgraded to a Trek STP, sweet bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Graham Collins
a Weekend Warrior
from ENGLAND
Date Reviewed: July 21, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Purchased At: | Thomases cycles, ipswich | | Strengths: | The frame is stronge compaired to what i have seen for the money. I'm not an extreme mountain biker but i do go on adventures. The yellow is CLASS and has a smooth look. | | Weaknesses: | The acera FRONT MECH where did that come from. Other than that i will only up grade sussers and stem, handle bars, pedals. May be seat from being a saddle rider. | | Similar Products Used: | GT aggressor 2000, rockhopper 1990, DODGY Trek 4500 2002 | | Bike Setup: | Still mostly standerd new DMR v8's and kore stem, Eastern flat bars | | Bottom Line: | This is good for the money but i suggest you bye now or in the midd sceasson from £70 now hass dropped off. I would personally now bye a Gary Fisher for £400 with better group set but i got this and now i am getting used to it. This is a good bike and with a few up grades i will be a happy customer. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Parker
a Weekend Warrior
from Atlanta, Ga
Date Reviewed: July 19, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$420.00 | | Purchased At: | Outback Bikes | | Strengths: | Nice, well built frame, RockShox Judy is a good fork for the money.... and over all for the money you cant beat it | | Weaknesses: | A little bit heavy, tires have little to no grip, | | Similar Products Used: | Giant Yukon... Kona Fire Mountain | | Bike Setup: | Stock with New Nashbar Pedals | | Bottom Line: | Its a great bike for the money... there havent been any problems with it as of yet...If you are a begginer or intermediate rider that does some small jumps, its a great bike... but ya might want to upgrade some of the components as you see fit which i feel very comfordable doing on this frame
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Greg
a
from colorado springs, co USA
Date Reviewed: July 18, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Ute Pass | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$450.00 | | Purchased At: | bicycle village | | Strengths: | Yellow Color, good emough shifters, strong frame decent crank set and rear derailler. judy TT is sufficient for this setup good shock for the price of the bike. | | Weaknesses: | front derailler is crap I have had it tuned twice. pedals, and the tires don't grip anything. | | Similar Products Used: | Trek 4500, Specialized Rockhopper and specialized UNO | | Bike Setup: | Ive upgraded the tires to kevlar continental explorers (awesome tires) pedals to clip in shimano xt and monkey lite handlebar. | | Bottom Line: | This bike can suprisingly take some punishment. The frame feels very secure going over rocks and 3 ft dropoffs. When i first got this bike I had trouble climbing any hills because of the tires because they were to wide and had no grip, but i fixed this when i bought continentals, the only downfall about this bike is what everybody else has said about this bike the FRONT DERAILLER it sucks hardcore i will soon replace this when i find a better one. Overall this bike is excellent on and off road especially for the price, the price allows you to upgrade components, my bike now rides better than one of the rockhoppers and i spent just as much for the hardrock with all of the upgrades that you would spend for the stock rockhopper so go out and buy this bike if you want a good ride for a cheap price. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris
a Weekend Warrior
from Toronto, ON
Date Reviewed: July 18, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Hardwood Hills | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$450.00 | | Purchased At: | Gears Cycle | | Strengths: | Good all around bike. Great on both dirt trails and cement paths. Light, smooth ride. | | Weaknesses: | None for the price | | Similar Products Used: | Trek 4500, Giant Yukon | | Bottom Line: | For the price this is a very good bike. This is my first mountain bike and I love everything thing about it. I have taken it across different terrain’s and it handles very well on all. Its a strong bike that doesn't weigh too much. Great for beginners and intermediate riders. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brian
a Weekend Warrior
from Vacaville,Ca
Date Reviewed: July 4, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Pt. Reyes | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$339.00 | | Purchased At: | Rays Cycle | | Strengths: | It has a real solid and light weight frame witch makes it easy to cross creeks, good shimano brakes, | | Weaknesses: | Needs stronger fly wheel, and better shifting set up | | Similar Products Used: | Rockhopper, and stump jumper | | Bottom Line: | This bike is probably the best starter bike out there, and for the quality of bike your getting you cant beat the price anywhere | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
salty
a Weekend Warrior
from logan UT, USA
Date Reviewed: June 17, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$398.00 | | Purchased At: | a store | | Strengths: | damn strong frame, components acceptable, liked the "feel" of it | | Weaknesses: | components | | Similar Products Used: | to lazy to list | | Bike Setup: | stock, some really sick wellgo pedals | | Bottom Line: | im a poor teenager, found a tough bike that I could upgrade
whats not to like
im gonna get some better forks for christmas, stuuff like that | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ben Ryan
a Downhiller
from Brisbane
Date Reviewed: June 16, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | cootha, chanel10,lantana, deenos, all great | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Purchased At: | lifecycle | | Strengths: | great frame,good cranks and bb, good handle bars and general componentry isnt to bad | | Weaknesses: | stock pedals suck, seat sucks after about amonth, stock tires suck other wize its all good. | | Similar Products Used: | other bikes | | Bike Setup: | specalized hardrock frame,marzocchiz1wedges these rock save yourself some money and upgrade the shocks when you buy the bike otherwise youll end up paying for 2 sets of shocks,tioga 2.3" dh tires, selli italia saddle, azzonic fusion peddals (SICK), new derailer after 1st one broke. | | Bottom Line: | great bike but get better shocks, pedals etc... great fram still going strong after 8ft+ drop offs flat to flat, rims arnt to bad but obviously need a truing every few weeks of riding. good bike that can be used as a base to build up to a sick DH freeriding jump machiene. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike
a Cross Country Rider
from Omaha, Nebraska
Date Reviewed: June 10, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$445.00 | | Purchased At: | The Bike Rack | | Strengths: | It all depends on how you look at it. My goal was to get a tough bike that I could upgrade with confidence. The frame is a little heavy but very stable. The Alex DM rims are known for being slightly heavy, but very rugged. The seat was also suprisingly comfortable. | | Weaknesses: | The riser bars, but I am not a fan. They are over 300grams and just didn't feel good. The front derailer is sloppy. I had the shop adjust it before I bought it. It is still sloppy. | | Similar Products Used: | Trek 4500, 4900, Fisher Marlin, currently have a Cannondale. | | Bike Setup: | Added: Profile Carbon fiber handlebar, Peral Isumi grips, Profile Brief bar ends. | | Bottom Line: | The frame geometry almost turned me away from the bike till I rode it. The fork isn't great, but it isn't terrible either.
For $400-$450 it is by far the best value I have ridden. Specialized is a good company with a great website. They make great products are are more than happy to talk to people on the phone about upgrading. Remember, you can always upgrade what you don't like on this bike. For me, other than the fork it won't be much. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Josh D
a Weekend Warrior
from Duluth, MN USA
Date Reviewed: June 1, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Any trail that has not been abused by ATVs | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$400.00 | | Purchased At: | The Ski Hut | | Strengths: | *Price
*Excellent Front Shock
*Excellent and Solid Feeling Frame
*Good Rear Derailleur
*Excellent Tires
*Good Rims
*Love the Yellow Paint Job | | Weaknesses: | *Front Derailleur
*Crappy Brake Pads (No Surprise)
*A Bit Weighty | | Similar Products Used: | Giant Yukon, Trek 4500, Gary Fisher Marlin | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | Compared to the other bikes tested, I feel this bike has fulfilled my criteria the best . Granted, some of the other bikes tested may have better components, I didn't feel that should be the deciding factor between them. I was more interested in the solidness feel to the bike, craftmenship, reputation, components (have to be aware of them), and overall handling of the bike (not in any particular order). With my testing of the bikes, research, and reading the reviews, I feel as though, in this price range, that this bike has the best to offer to me. The tires are great, they seem to get free of mud really quick. The shifting of the rear derailleur has be responive and quick. I don't, however, like the front derailleur, since I have had to tinker with it too much now. The shocks are lovely when going over some of the rougher trails I like to travel on, and the frame is very solid. The best suggestion I can make is for the consumer to test out all the bikes around their area and to make a logical decision, not based on salesmen talk, rather on their feelings and judgements. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Alan
a Downhiller
from Toronto
Date Reviewed: May 22, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | The bike has a strong frame
is durable for jumpin the odd set of stairs and is quick enough to go really fast. Great all round bike "to keep up with your many moods". Bike is light, hand made, A1 alumminum. Super price, looks aggresive, handles great. And much more....... | | Weaknesses: | Frame scratches very easily.
Judy TT fork is not that solid.
Front Acera derailer is slow.
| | Bike Setup: | Im currently riding the bike stock and i hope to upgrade the front derailer, front fork, and crank. | | Bottom Line: | Great value.
Light.
Looks nice.
Rides nice.
Only some upgrades needed to actually ride "rock hard".
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris
a Weekend Warrior
from Chicago
Date Reviewed: May 20, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | any | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$450.00 | | Purchased At: | Bicycle Connection | | Strengths: | Great bike for the money. Specialized quality. BEEFY frame.Decent components. Disc tabs on the frame and fork for upgrading. Kick a$$ yellow color. Did I mention the color? | | Weaknesses: | There are some????
(If anything it would have to be the Alex rims and the little pedals) | | Similar Products Used: | Nada really, Old school BMX | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | 5 for 5! Great bike for the $$$! Plain and simple...You get what you pay for. If you are a entry level rider who enjoys the occasional jump and or drop then give this bike a shot. Its fun to ride and looks killer. Sure the fork and some of the other components wont hold up to repetitive attempts at going BIG but the frame will. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike
a Weekend Warrior
from Orlando, FL
Date Reviewed: May 14, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$450.00 | | Purchased At: | Orange Cycle | | Strengths: | Strong Frame, Good paint job & breaks. Tires work weel on both street and hard trails. Also has good seat and seat position. | | Weaknesses: | Little on the heavy side, poor control on sandy surfaces, chain alignment needs to be adjusted monthly, cogs cut into the frame, forks bottom-out on decent jumps. | | Similar Products Used: | GT Aggressor 1.0 | | Bike Setup: | Standard factory except I replaced the pedals w/ Sun Ringle Zuzu and I plan to replace the forks with Black Elite or SIDS. | | Bottom Line: | This is a good bike for a beginner and for someone who does not plan to do lots of big jumps. I've had mine for 3 months and have already outgrown it. As soon as I have the money, I plan to buy a FS. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Eric
a Weekend Warrior
from NJ
Date Reviewed: May 13, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$430.00 | | Purchased At: | Peddler Bike Shop | | Strengths: | A good light frame with ok components. No problems with the drivetrain considering i've landed on the rear derailuer many rimes. Rims are pretty good and i like the performance of the judy tt even though it's a low end fork. | | Weaknesses: | The crankset is cheap considering the top of the line hot rock has a better one. Rims hold up good on drops just dont land sideways and expect to much from them. Tires are good if you like to ride urban assualt but when u get on the trail u kinda wish u had others. | | Similar Products Used: | 2001 gt aggressor 1.0, and a 1999 gt aggressor 1.0 | | Bike Setup: | xt hubs/black mavic 517's | | Bottom Line: | It is a good bike for the price and dont get me wrong, some of the components are kinda crappy but i havent had many problems with it and i ride pretty hard. Ive been satisfied with specialized once again and plan on buying an enduro or bighit next. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
georgeMAC MAC
a Cross Country Rider
from ENGLAND
Date Reviewed: May 3, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | sika | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$450.00 | | Purchased At: | Horswills | | Strengths: | The bike is good its strong and resembly light it has quite nice forks for the price and nice YELLOW colour !!! | | Weaknesses: | peddals are nasty rubbish grip | | Similar Products Used: | Kona Fire Mountain | | Bike Setup: | as stock with upgraded handlebars,water botle and chainstay | | Bottom Line: | Very nice bike can take a lot of hard hits good for any one on a tight budget like me. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Matt Windsor
a Weekend Warrior
from Williamsburg, VA
Date Reviewed: May 1, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Waller Mill in W-burg, VA | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$420.00 | | Purchased At: | Conte's in Va. Beach | | Strengths: | Yes, I did post once...wanted to post again now that I have used the bike quite a lot. The bike has not complained once. My middle gear seems to want to 'shift' on its own since yesterday, but I suspect (and the bike shop backs this up) that the shifter cable tension has changed. The Rock Shox definitely makes life easier on the trail. | | Weaknesses: | Brakes could have been made of better material, and I probably would have upgraded to a better crank and derailleurs. | | Similar Products Used: | Kona Fire Mountain, Hard Rock A1 FS | | Bike Setup: | Stock for now, with a squeezie water bottle :) | | Bottom Line: | For me this is a GREAT bike. As of right now I have used this bike pretty heavily and it has not given me any problems to make me regret the purchase of this bike. If I rode NOTHING but extreme downhill trails with loads of roots and jumps and the like, I would have bought a better bike, and I suspect that in about 2 or 3 years I will do that. But the bike is definitely worth the money. I usually ride the Waller Mill trail near where I live....5.5 mile singletrack, loads of small jumps (and one big fat one), lots of uphill/downhill, more than a few Autobahn areas, lots of twists and turns and areas to practice technical skills. The bike handles all of it with ease. I would recommend upgrading the brakes and possibly the crank and derailleurs, but I say this only because I know I will be using them heavily; they have given me no problems yet. Highly recommend. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
J.R. Vasquez
a Cross Country Rider
from Sherman Oaks
Date Reviewed: April 25, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | malls | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$450.00 | | Purchased At: | Outdated Bicycle Shop | | Strengths: | Good frame with geometry concept. ( what it means I dont know.) Excellent welding and great paint color. Thats about it. | | Weaknesses: | Really weak components. No name brakes, cheap bottom of the line components, weak crankset, outdated house brand stem,bars and post. Like I said the frame is the only positive. | | Similar Products Used: | Novara Ponderosa 2002. | | Bike Setup: | Upgraded all components to XT, ritchey tires Z-max,ritchey pro stem,koisk rise bars, found some 8 spd shifters in XT grade. Tru-firex cranks, easton post. | | Bottom Line: | If you plan to do some riding in the hills buy something else. This bike is geared towards the 15-25 year old urbanite. Specialized offers better bikes. The colors look great, but most likely you would want to upgrade the components. REI offers the Novara Ponderosa with quality ritchey rims and tires, lx components, WTB saddle etc for 695.00 seems high, but compare the components and you will see that it is a bargain. THe frame is made by Giant. Do your research before you buy and remember every bike is negotiable!!!! in price and components. Do not leave the store with the cranks, they will falter have the store owner switch them out even if it cost a little more. Overall a great bike if you plan to commute around town with some occasional hills. Good Luck shop, compare, research and negotiate. Its like buying a car | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Michael
a Weekend Warrior
from Preston, Connecticut, USA
Date Reviewed: April 19, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$430.00 | | Purchased At: | Sunshine Cycle | | Strengths: | Nice frame design, the Alvilo Shifters are excellent, and most of all the price was great for what you get. | | Weaknesses: | The bike is kind of heavy, and the break levers look like they came off a Huffy or something, but they can be cheaply replaced. | | Bottom Line: | The bike is a great bike for beginners and with a very nice price tag. I am greatly satisfied with the dependabillity of this bike so far. This looks like a bike I will keep for a long time. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brian
a Weekend Warrior
from Winnipeg
Date Reviewed: April 17, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$444.00 | | Purchased At: | Woodcock Cycleworks | | Strengths: | Purchased for a smaller female weekend warrior... so far so good. So far no problems with the Judy TT. Shifting has been smooth. New frame style is amazing. 15" frame is fairly light... haven't done the actual weighing yet. | | Weaknesses: | Specialized had Alivio front and Deore rear derailleurs on the 2000 model and dropped down to Acera and Alivio. | | Similar Products Used: | 2001 Giant Iguana, 1995 Raleigh Serengeti | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | Buy, if this is the price range you are looking for. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Matt Windsor
a Weekend Warrior
from Williamsburg, VA USA
Date Reviewed: April 9, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Any trail I can find | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$420.00 | | Purchased At: | Conte Bikes | | Strengths: | Front shocks (for a guy like me who doesn't get too hard/heavy - YET - the Rock Shox are great), ease of shifting, the look of the bike (have gotten compliments galore). | | Weaknesses: | The seat...thank God I am not planning on doing a lot of sitting with this bike. :) | | Similar Products Used: | Hardrock A1 FS, Kona Fire Mountain, Kona Hahanna | | Bike Setup: | Straight stock for now. | | Bottom Line: | Thus far I love the bike. I bought this bike mainly for 2 reasons. One, I'm just starting out with mountain biking again, and two, while I WILL be using this bike hard, it will most likely be a mix of road riding and moderate trail riding, with a few jumps and such thrown in. This being said, I really like the bike. Nice and light (there are lighter bikes, but I'm 190 lbs and used to much heavier bikes, so this is a huge diff. for me), and the Rock Shox definitely help out on the trails around here. Would recommend getting a different seat if you actually plan on sitting down. Will probably be upgrading shifters/derailleurs/crank and all that good stuff, but I'm on a budget so I'll wait till I break the ones I got.
If you want to jump everything in site, I wouldn't recommend this bike. That's not what it's made for...made more for a cross between moderate/hard road riding and moderate/hard trail riding. Otherwise it wouldn't tell you in the manual to NOT jump it. :-) | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John
a Weekend Warrior
from Los Angeles,California,USA
Date Reviewed: April 4, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Ruff Ryder | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$700.00 | | Purchased At: | Supshop | | Strengths: | THERE'S A STRENGTH? | | Weaknesses: | IF YOU LIKE OFF-ROADING, DO NOT PURCHASE THIS BIKE | | Bottom Line: | THIS BIKE IS NOT GOOD FOR OFF ROADING, ONLY FOR STREET RIDING. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Hugh
a
from South Freeport, Maine, USA
Date Reviewed: April 3, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$520.00 | | Strengths: | I love the new frame design, much stronger than the old ones and the componentry is really good. | | Weaknesses: | The seat is almost as uncomfortable as sitting on a rock on long rides and the front derailur is difficult to shift until you get used to it. | | Similar Products Used: | Hardrock A1, Tassajara | | Bike Setup: | Pretty much stock but, I added on a few things, about $70 worth and alot of it was for maintance | | Bottom Line: | For my first front suspension bike this was one of the best buys out there besides a K2 zed 3.0 or 4.0. For someone who is looking between this and the model below or above this is probably the best bet for the money. I would recomend upgrading to a more comfortable seat if you are planning on sitting down on it for than 10-15 minutes and maybe upgrading the front derailur from Acera to Alivlo but other than that you can keep it stock. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dustin McCartney
a Weekend Warrior
from Chalfont, Pa
Date Reviewed: March 17, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Ralph Stover | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$450.00 | | Purchased At: | Scooter's Bike Shop | | Strengths: | The Frame is really solid, geometry is nice, and the solid yellow color is so different from all the two tones you see | | Weaknesses: | The tires need more beef, Specialized makes good tires but the comp tires seem more fit for smoother, easier trails | | Similar Products Used: | Some old school GT's...too bad they went under | | Bike Setup: | Stock, I've only had it a month and all the Shimano components are holding up nicely | | Bottom Line: | The frame is like riding under the hands of God, so you can just replace components when need be. I've ridden this thing hard for a month almost every day and have taken some spills and it has never let me down. If you have a limited budget the only difference between the pro and comp is a rear derallier...and about a hundred bucks which might be useful for some extras. Bottom line - Great bike! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John Machnicki
a Weekend Warrior
from Somers,Connecticut,USA
Date Reviewed: March 11, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$455.00 | | Purchased At: | Vernon Cycle | | Strengths: | Strong frame,smooth shifters,decent fork,strong brakes,nice seat | | Weaknesses: | A tad on the heavy side | | Similar Products Used: | Schwin clear creek, Mongose DX | | Bike Setup: | Stick | | Bottom Line: | Great bike wiked strong frame for the avarge weekend warrior may be a tad to heavy for serious cross country riders strong frame guy set up for full down hill racing and beat the crap out of it and the frame didnt bend or tweak its great | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Gene
a Weekend Warrior
from North Aurora, IL
Date Reviewed: March 5, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$450.00 | | Purchased At: | Pedal and Spoke | | Strengths: | Rigidity, Smoothness, Value, Looks, Components. I bought the bike about 4 weeks ago. It's so damn cold that I haven't had a chance to ride too much. But the time I have ridden, I've loved every minute of. Have been 17 miles on the Great Western Trail west of St. Charles, IL. Have been 60 miles between North Aurora, IL and Algonquin, IL along the Fox River Trails. (From Pedal and Spoke to Prairie Path Bike Shop and back). | | Weaknesses: | what do you mean? | | Similar Products Used: | None unless you count the 2000 model Specialized Expedition I bought last year. It had been 20 years since I bought a brand new bike. I thought I was getting a lot for my money then but, I think I'm getting a lot more now. | | Bike Setup: | perfect for all around riding, for pleasure or purpose. I'm 5', 10" with a 30" inseam. The 17" frame fits me perfectly. (of course they come as big as 23"). The forks are great. Haven't riddin in the wet yet. | | Bottom Line: | You get a lot of bike for the money. The yellow or red paint turns a lot of heads. My dealer, Pedal and Spoke, services what they sell. (Thanks for the colors Specialized) | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris
a Weekend Warrior
from Sexy British Columbia
Date Reviewed: March 2, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Undiscovered | | Duration Product Used: | Tested or demo'ed only | | Price Paid: |
$470.00 | | Purchased At: | Inquire | | Strengths: | I picked this bike based on reviews here, elsewhere, and comparisions to other bikes available in it's price range.
***PRICE*** Well at least for me ;) I started at $439US/$700CAN including tax(14.5% in BC) and added $32US/$50CAN for the below mentioned upgrades for a grand total of $469US/$750CAN including tax! I am happy to say the least. :)
Paid $200CAN down because I caught them at closing, the parts mentioned below will be installed and adjusted by tomorrow morning :)
Since I only tested the bike I'm not in a position to give it a whole review. So far i've noticed...
- the bike shop I bought it at... love peeps willing to deal
- strong frame
- smooth shifting
- geometry
- Judy TTs seemed fine
- Specialized Body Geometry seat design
- color, I had a choice of yellow and red... both of which I loved compared to other bike's dual color blends ewwww ;)
More to come...
Just put $200CAN down on this this bike near closing time. Will pick it up tomorrow. | | Weaknesses: | I took care of some of those with the upgrade mentioned below , but I'd have to say the Shimano brake pads and BB. The bike also is a little heavy at 35lbs with the added tires, but I need the workout and it sure didn't feel like while I tested it. | | Similar Products Used: | Norco Bigfoot & Marin Bear Valley | | Bike Setup: | Stock with Deore rear derailleur instead of Alivio, Alivio front derailleur instead of Acera, toe clips/straps, and Kenda Kinetics Front/Rear 26 x 2.35 Kevlar 60tpi 40-65psi 700 grams instead of the Rockster Sport Tire 26 x 2.1, hard pack steel tire. $50CAN! | | Bottom Line: | So far my experience with the bike store has been great. I love this bike... look, color and feel. I will be hitting Eagle Ridge tomorrow after I pick up the bike and get back to you all :) | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brain Kanaski
a Weekend Warrior
from Eureka,Ca
Date Reviewed: February 13, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | mountain pass | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$470.00 | | Purchased At: | Goodtime Bikes and Supply | | Strengths: | Durability, sweet yellow color, good high rise handlebar, neat seat | | Weaknesses: | Suspension is like it isn't even there. I tossed the front shock after 3 weeks of riding and got a better one. I noticed a incredible difference after I put the shock on. | | Similar Products Used: | none. | | Bike Setup: | stock except new marccozi fly forks | | Bottom Line: | I good bike for the price, and for the average rider just getting in to the world of mountainbikibg. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Eric Murphy
a Racer
from Napa,California
Date Reviewed: January 31, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$450.00 | | Purchased At: | Epic Cycles | | Strengths: | cool color, not any other strenghts, mainly for town riding | | Weaknesses: | suspension is horrible, weak frame, not for trails, breaks don't grab when wet, bad components | | Similar Products Used: | Kona Stinky, Rocky Mountain hardtail, Specailized Enduro, Haro Backtrail | | Bike Setup: | nothing after buying it I sold it because of poor quality | | Bottom Line: | This is an ok bike if you just ride aroung town, but don't think about taking this thing on trail's or jump it. The Aluminum frame will bust | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris Morgan
a Weekend Warrior
from Canyon, Texas, USA
Date Reviewed: January 30, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Palo Dura Canyon State Park | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | $400.00 | | Strengths: | It's got a great off the shelf ride. I decided on this one because of the overall value and parts that came standard on the bike. The Rock Shox Judy in the front has the travel that I need for in town riding and trail rides. | | Weaknesses: | There's a weakness? | | Bike Setup: | A set of Specialized Fireball lights come in great for night trail riding. Toe clips have also came in handy. | | Bottom Line: | For someone wanting an all around great package in a bike, this is the best bang for the buck. The factory wheelset is great for all around use. It rides great with the factory parts and a few minor upgrades. I would suggest this bike to anyone looking for a top-grade hardtail. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bob Bongo
a Weekend Warrior
from Japan
Date Reviewed: January 20, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$400.00 | | Purchased At: | Nakamura's | | Strengths: | Solid frame,light for price,"go anywhere" bike,good components | | Weaknesses: | Cheap fork, but you can change it | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | Stock components Acera Rear and front dereilleur SR Suntour XCC fork 63mm | | Bottom Line: | This is a great bike. The performance is great and many of the components are pretty good. The only thing I would complain about is how the paint can be easily chipped. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ben ryan
a Downhiller
from Brisbane
Date Reviewed: January 13, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Mt cootha (zig zag) | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1100.00 | | Purchased At: | life cycle | | Strengths: | good solid frame great for jumps drop offs down hill/free ride or dual salom...Good rims and components good sadle good head set for price like wise good forks for $$$ | | Weaknesses: | NONE WHAT SO EVER!!! | | Similar Products Used: | NOTHING LIKE IT | | Bike Setup: | great new specialized tires team controal & team master.... hope to upgrade suspension to psylo xc's | | Bottom Line: | A GREAT bike for money exelent for imtermidate rider or teenagers like myself on restricted bugets... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John BiKeR
a Cross Country Rider
from US
Date Reviewed: December 12, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | any nice trail.. | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$480.00 | | Strengths: | Nice frame works.. specialized name.. good geometry.. looks goods.. good ride.. | | Weaknesses: | Brake.. | | Bike Setup: | Standard | | Bottom Line: | This bike is value for $$. its looks good.. i happen to push my bike pass a cafe and was stopped and been asked how much i bought this bike for. and was commented good looking! it's climb very well.. very quiet.. very smooth.. the brake tends to create sounds when wet.. as the reviewer had said.. the tyres are good for both muddy/rocky/sand trail or road.. don't believe that this bike works so well at 1st.. SPECIALIZED RULES! hehe! enjoy ur biking! UPGRADE IT if u decide to have it more Pro!.. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Eric Franke
a
from San Antonio,TX,USA
Date Reviewed: December 3, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Big Bend Ranch State Park | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$450.00 | | Purchased At: | Helotes Bicycle | | Strengths: | 2002 Hardrock has a very strong frame and great components for price. We observed that the wheels were true beyond belief, not something most factory are known for (so I hear). I believe that these tires are the best I've used off road in mud and rock, and are pretty smooth on pavement too | | Weaknesses: | Irridescent Yellow / Metalic Red
The strange shape of the frame tubes has proven difficult for installing the Specialized Air Force pump. I can see related problems with other frame mounted devices. | | Similar Products Used: | 198? Hujsak Cyclocross I owned in college
Coyote One I borrowed from my son | | Bottom Line: | I was really surprised at how far bicycling has come in the last 10 years, since I've last ridden. The Alivio shifters took a little practice, but make good sense. This strong frame was chosen over the 2001 model for my 300 lb body. I really enjoy riding again, this bike is fun to ride easy to operate. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
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