Submitted by
Dan
a Cross Country Rider
from Stuyvesant NY US Date Reviewed: May 12, 2007
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$650.00
Purchased At:
Steiner's
Strengths:
Excellent geometry,Light, haven't needed any new parts, shifts really smooth, best bike of all time for under $1000
Weaknesses:
Fork is really squishy and mine cannot be tightened anymore(broke it)
Similar Products Used:
Some Giant, Trek 4300 Specialized Hardrock
Bike Setup:
Bone Stock
Bottom Line:
Definatlely a kick ass bike. the 2001 is excellent and you can get one now for veru little money. Highly recommend the older models if you are on a tight budget.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Eric Hrubecky
a Cross Country Rider
from Broadview, Il USA Date Reviewed: March 17, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Kettle Moraine
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$700.00
Purchased At:
Wheel Thing
Strengths:
I have only been riding it for a couple days but,within those days I have beat the S*** out of it> it seems like its going to be a great bike for the quick and easy shifting,climbing balance and the double butted frame gives me the confidence to bomb up and down hills in any terrain. I am riding the Judy XC fork w/80 mm travel very squishy but when I tighten her up "Oh MAN all hell is going to break loose."
Weaknesses:
Like I said once that fork gets harder the riding will seem smoother and easier. To yearly to tell if its going to keep up with my aggresive riding on a hardtail. The stock Pro wheels are crap! Right off the bat get new ones. They aren't tready enough for the wet muddy riding I have done so far.
Similar Products Used:
A heavy as hell,cheap, not even worth the time and effort even if you got the bike for free. Full suspension SPORTS AUTHORITY SPECIAl!!!!!!!!!!!! Fart!
Bike Setup:
Stock
Bottom Line:
Only been riding it a short time but up to this point pay less than 850 good price, brakes-stoping on a dime-fork great and powerful. Great bike!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
red
a
from Boulder, CO Date Reviewed: May 2, 2002
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Strengths:
good geometry for me
Weaknesses:
I really wish SPEC would make more tire clearance on their bikes.
Bottom Line:
This is my first trail bike, its being slowly converted to a Trials bike. Which is why i dislike the lack of tire clearence.
its lasted about 4 years (the bike is a '98) through crashes, snow, sand, rain and negligence.
I am really hoping it gets a crack before the waranty goes, though, so i can move up.
the geometry is great for me, i like a more upright possition.
I would say it makes a great first trail / college bike, and you can upgrade as stuff breaks, and after a while get a good frame, and transfer all the upgrades over.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Chris Petroff
a Cross Country Rider
from Flagstaff/Phoenix Date Reviewed: April 18, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Teacher of Terror
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$50.00
Purchased At:
Absolute Bikes
Strengths:
Well considering i bought the frame for $50 bucks you cant beat that..... this frame can take a beating and keeping on ticking! Very responsive and quick! No hill to large to climb....... no decent to steep to conquer......
Weaknesses:
the rear drop out sometimes comes loose a bit..... but thats about it.....
Similar Products Used:
KHS, Gary Fisher
Bike Setup:
Headset: WTB greasegaurd Stem: Race Face prodigy Fork: Marzocchi Z5 Flylight Handlebars: Race Face Prodigy Seatpost: Easton EA50 Seat: SDG Bell Aire Shifters/Levers: LX Brakes:Deore Front Deraileur: XT Rear Deraileur: XTR Crank: Race Face Prodigy Wheel Set: XT hubs with F519 bottom bracket:XT Front Tire: WTB WereWolf 2.5 Rear Tire: Continental Pro 2.3 Pedals: Ritchey Prologic
Bottom Line:
If you build up this bike well, it can be one mean machine...... Smooth ride that is durable, responsive, and quick.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Scott
a Cross Country Rider
from Spokane WA USA Date Reviewed: February 25, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Moose Packers
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$650.00
Purchased At:
Panoramic Cycle
Strengths:
Fork, Components, Weight, durability, climbing is very easy.
Weaknesses:
The stock rear tire is alright but wears down very fast if you do a lot of climbing.
Fantastic bike. Very easy to ride and climb because of the weight. Not a very big deal regarding the rear tire because everything else is so good. It shifts like butter and the fork is amazing. I have yet to bottom out on it. I ride mainly off road and I am surprised at the amount of abuse it has taken. This bike is great for those who like to bum around city paths, or bomb down serious single track.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jeb
a Weekend Warrior
from USA Date Reviewed: December 18, 2001
Favorite Trail:
The one with more down than up
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$550.00
Purchased At:
LBS
Strengths:
Frame, components, price
Weaknesses:
The seat will soon have to go.
Similar Products Used:
2001 Specialized Hardrock
Bike Setup:
Stock
Bottom Line:
This is the bike I couldn't afford but always wanted. My lbs ended up with one that they couldn't sell (my size). I just waited until the new models started rolling in and the shop really wanted to unload it. This bike is choice. It climbs like a goat, handles the downhills with ease, corners like it's on rails and the shifts are smooth as butter. And just to make it even better, it comes in that sweet battleship blue.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
andy davies
a Cross Country Rider
from england , teesside Date Reviewed: September 9, 2001
Favorite Trail:
GUISBOUROUGH WOODS
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$700.00
Purchased At:
BIKE SCENE
Strengths:
high quality components inluding xt gearset , very light and very easy to ride , good riding position for me as i ride every day on roads to work and punish it on the dirt at the weekend. Very clean gearchanges. Good clearance for hopping rocks !!
Weaknesses:
The manitou forks have a bit of a water problem. The chain can slip under heavy pressure. Uncomfortable seat.
Similar Products Used:
Specialized Hardrock FS a1
Bike Setup:
Rockhopper FS a1 Pro , continental twister tyres . manitou sx forks. xt gearset. GEL seat cover !! otherwise as specced.
Bottom Line:
Fantastic value from money . have had two specialized's would never buy anything else now. May change forks eventually but other than that an extremely capable bike in all terrains.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Chris Robinson
a Cross Country Rider
from Oxford UK Date Reviewed: August 2, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Anything in the mountains of Wales
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$532.00
Purchased At:
Bee Line Cycles Oxford
Strengths:
Fairly light, good component mix, excellent forks.
Weaknesses:
Own brand crankset
Similar Products Used:
GT Avalanche
Bike Setup:
Rockshox Judy XC, XT rear mech', Deore front mech', Deore brakes, Terry saddle.
Bottom Line:
I bought 2 of these bikes for my wife & I, hers a 17 inch mine a 19. They have stood up well to a regime of little maintenance & hard off road riding. A great starter bike. Can be upgraded easily. Takes hard hits well.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Sean Petan
a Weekend Warrior
from Stratford, ON, CANADA Date Reviewed: July 18, 2001
Favorite Trail:
the drop
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$750.00
Purchased At:
brauns
Strengths:
great acceleration, climbing, descending, feel, weight, FORK. amazing.
its a sweet light bike, im a big guy and it hasn't bent or broken yet after all the jumps and stuff i do on it. its really amazing. if you ride. you should buy it.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
evan
a Racer
from whitby,on,canada Date Reviewed: July 16, 2001
Favorite Trail:
3 rocks
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$700.00
Purchased At:
Impala in canada
Strengths:
evrything
Weaknesses:
nothing
Similar Products Used:
gf parigon
Bottom Line:
this bike is for you so go bye it. i used to ride a d/s bike but now that i am on a crosscountry i will never go back and this bike made me want to get more into bikeing.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
tres kastler
a Racer
from greenville,sc.usa Date Reviewed: June 25, 2001
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$1000.00
Bottom Line:
nice bike to race with easy to get adgusted to. buy it!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Clay
a Racer
from Chapin,SC,US Date Reviewed: June 6, 2001
Favorite Trail:
tsali left loop
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$960.00
Purchased At:
Fat Tire Farm
Strengths:
Great feel, accelerates good under power
Weaknesses:
grips start so slide after a couple of months
Similar Products Used:
Giant rainer(brothers)
Bottom Line:
Great bike for the money. Good for people looking for an upgrade from an entry level bike without emptying their wallets.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Wes
a Weekend Warrior
from Utah Date Reviewed: May 31, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Bonneville Shorline
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$899.00
Purchased At:
Bingham
Strengths:
This bike has great components and it very light weight
Weaknesses:
It is forcing me to ride more often even when I actually don't have the time.
Similar Products Used:
Rockhopper
Bottom Line:
I can tell you right now I am in love with this bike. I know it is hard to believe reviews of people who bought the bike and basically have to love it but I really do. I have finally upgraded to a very nice bike and this one performs leaps and bounds over the cheaper stuff I used to ride. All of the sudden I am a much better biker than I used to be. I have fallen in love with the clipless pedals and will never be able to go back. I usually hit allot of mountain trails and so far it has been performing flawlessly. It was a little more expensive than the Comp and the regular Rockhopper but the components should treat me right for a good long time. I have had it about 3 weeks and I have put over 100 miles on it so far I am very very pleased.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mark
a Weekend Warrior
from Pacific, WA, USA Date Reviewed: May 9, 2001
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$699.00
Purchased At:
Greggs Cycle
Strengths:
Very light for the money with great components. I have not ridden it long enough to know how it will hold up but I love the way it rides and the brakes have been great right from the start.
$ 999.99
Overall Rating:
Overall Rating:
