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Specialized
2000 Hardrock FS
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Submitted by
Polartrekker
a
from Raleigh, NC, USA
Date Reviewed: December 10, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$350.00 | | Strengths: | Good bike for the buck. Had mine 5 years now and, although bruised and battered, still trusted. | | Weaknesses: | Since it's a low end bike, the components are not top of the line, but they're decent. | | Bottom Line: | Definitely recommended. It's great for beginner's who don't want to spend a lot of money on a high-end bike, but it's not just a cheap bike either. Specialized makes some very good quality bikes, even on the entry level. If it's a comfotable fit for you, I'd recommend it. You may want to change out some of the components eventually, but it's a good bike as is too. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Phil
a
from Chicago
Date Reviewed: August 23, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$200.00 | | Purchased At: | Village Cycles | | Strengths: | It's not a Walmart bike and from the reviews I've read, it's a good "beginers" mountain bike. So what does that mean, I have to spend more so it's not a beginners bike? | | Weaknesses: | None really. | | Similar Products Used: | Walmart bike. I peeped the Trek that bike (I'm not sure the model) but I went with the Hardrock. | | Bottom Line: | It serves me well. It gets me from point A to point B w/ no problems. Maybe soon I'll try it on a trail, but for now it's my commuter bike. I've changed the seat to the Specialized Comfort seat and it feels even more better when I zip down the streets of the city. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Keith Lowe
a Cross Country Rider
from Leeds AL US
Date Reviewed: April 8, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$385.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike Link of Inverness | | Strengths: | Excellent bike for someone first getting into mountain biking. All of my experiences with this bike were great and it gave me little trouble. | | Weaknesses: | platform pedals | | Similar Products Used: | Klein Attitude Comp | | Bike Setup: | 17 inch frame Jett S fork alivio/acera drivetrain with gripshifters | | Bottom Line: | Excellent bike for the beginner or someone on a really tight budget. I have moved on to a Klein Attitude Comp but there is something to be said for the flexible steel frame in rough conditions. Overall I thought it was an excellent bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
blake thompson
a Cross Country Rider
from champlin,mn,us
Date Reviewed: July 2, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | anything close to my bike | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$309.00 | | Purchased At: | erik's bike shop | | Strengths: | super strong frame, inexspensive but reliable drivetrain, | | Weaknesses: | pedals are slippery seat is hard they were out of monkey vomit green ;( had to settle for blue | | Similar Products Used: | some roller coasters | | Bike Setup: | stock | | Bottom Line: | its a great bike for someone starting out in mountain biking. its low price and solid construction make it a great ride for this ten year old dirt spanker | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
matin lopez
a Racer
from seattle WA us of a
Date Reviewed: June 18, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | The worm | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$111.00 | | Purchased At: | pawn exchange | | Strengths: | supple cr-mo frame is suspension in itself...gobbles up the trail with a (heavy) smoothness. | | Weaknesses: | crap seat, aheadset kinda weak, pedals, and seatpost too short (for moi) and the rims/wheels really aren't great but whatcha want for the price? | | Similar Products Used: | Almost every bike? Brodie expresso, canondale various, carbon raleigh, specialized rockhopper, redline aluminum and on and on...owned so many only a few stick out mmm....BRODIE! | | Bike Setup: | as it came (unfortunately) but with ritchey seat (thanks receycled cycles!) | | Bottom Line: | well, after selling my dreamy 23lb brodie for rent money and determining to build something up myself for under $100 bones I came across this heavy honey at a local pawnshop...rear wheel was blowing apart so replaced that and seat...final tally was around $140 but still a pretty decent deal for not having to deal with the whole bike build-up thing. Other than its weight I actually think this (steel!) frame is pretty damn smooth...and much better than so many aluminum frames for same price or a bit more. It tracks great in slalom and downhill (nice long top tube) and is pretty decent on singletrack as well...i just can't get it to bunnyhop worth a damn...either because the stem is so short or its just too heavy and am not using clip-in pedals????? Whatever, its a decent ride for the money | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Johnny Bravo
a Weekend Warrior
from Eastern, PA
Date Reviewed: May 24, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Too Many | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$250.00 | | Purchased At: | BMS | | Strengths: | FRAME: I am a heavier rider (225) and the Chromoly frame is more stronger opposed to aluminum for a heavy rider and it is nice and stiff and handles well.
FORK: Some people say that the RS JETT Bottoms out and all but I like it I never had a problem yet it gets the job done, now it ain't no marzhocci or anything but it does the job I guess?
RIMS: The weinmann rims hold up no bends yet
| | Weaknesses: | SEAT: As soon as you get this bike replace the seat your twig and berries will thnak you later trust me, this seat SUCKS! Its is like sitting on a rock!!
Drivetrain: Well its not the worst but its not the best but it gets the job done for the most part?
Crank: It works but I always get funny noises coming from it?? Tried to reslove it but to no avail.
| | Similar Products Used: | Trek 4500, Schwinn mesa, Giant Boulder, Fuji Thrill most low end entry levels
| | Bike Setup: | Pretty much stock except for riser bar and better grips plan to upgrade the shock maybe with a manitou and possibly the drivetrain.
| | Bottom Line: | If your looking for a good entry level bike and don't want to spend a lot but want to get a lot this is the bike for you. In addition you are buying a bike from a great company they really back up their products.
| Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Les
a Cross Country Rider
from Hampshire, UK
Date Reviewed: May 21, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$285.00 | | Purchased At: | Cycle Works, Lincoln,NE | | Strengths: | cheap, solid, brakes, grip shift, well built | | Weaknesses: | Tingle Finger..!!!!! | | Bike Setup: | Standard | | Bottom Line: | Although I have only had this bike for less than three months I love it. Admittedly I don't have a wealth of mountain bike experience upon which to fall back, but I guess it must be said that a lot of my enthusiasm stems from the price per smile factor.
I find the shocks to be adequate, I haven't had them bottom out on me yet despite some hairy encounters with varying heights of road matter. My bottom has acclimatised to the seat well enough, no problems there, but you want to know what bugs me most..??? Tingle finger..!!!!! Perhaps it's just because I'm right handed or used to hovering two fingers over the brake of a motorcycle when out and about, but my right pinky and it's neighbour always seem to end up numbing out for some reason, a change of grips and some cycle gloves have virtually eliminated this now, but it seems something of a weird situation all round, especially as the bike has front suspension..!! Any suggestions as to how to cure this would be most welcome.
That aside, overall I have no qualms about the bike at all, it does what I ask of it, apart from me (only once) nothing has broken or fallen off, though special mention must go to the brakes, perhaps it was just the way it was set up but the first time I had to do a sharp braking manouevre my eyeballs almost popped out..!!! Excellent brakes in both wet and dry.
As I said at the beginning, had I have paid a lot more for the bike I would have still been satisfied, but for $285.00 I have been doing some serious grinning lately.
Prior to purchase I tested a number of other bikes in a similar price range and although my right pinky won't thank me for saying so, if you can get a Hardrock FS for a similar price, do it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Alex
a Cross Country Rider
from Berkeley, California, USA
Date Reviewed: May 1, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | anything at Boggs | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$300.00 | | Purchased At: | Pacific Cyclery | | Strengths: | Cheap, works fine, grip-shift | | Weaknesses: | heavy, rock shox jett | | Similar Products Used: | Schwinn Mesa, Giant Rincon | | Bike Setup: | stock, but with lighter tires, a Serfas saddle and Rock Shox Judy SL's | | Bottom Line: | inexpensive, and it shows. I actually race on this bike, and it's seriously the only thing holding me back. That said, if you don't plan to actually take this bike off road, it is a perfect ride for the money. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
sumfukka
a Cross Country Rider
from Aurora, IL, USA
Date Reviewed: April 3, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Palos from the Bullfrog Lake trailhead | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$300.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike Line of Naperville | | Bike Setup: | Shimano SPD 324s, Profile Design Bar Ends | | Bottom Line: | This is the bike my girlfriend decided on at the beginning of last summer. She had wanted a Giant Rincon SE as I was riding a Giant at the time, but the Rincon was pretty much impossible to find in a small so she began looking at alternatives. She bought this bike the day she test-rode it. I gave her my old bar-ends and eventually talked her into clipless (well on one side anyway) pedals. I'm not to sure if I like the adjustable rise stem or not. At this point I think she's ready for a normal one with a lower rise anyway.
What I like about this bike:
1)CroMo, a well made CroMo frame will be close to Alum in weight and have a smoother ride. It will probably outlast anything Aluminum as well.
2)GripShift, for the beginner I think GripShift is easier to get the hang of. She was certainly more comfortable with it.
3)Group, the drivetrain and other components are in line for a bike at this pricepoint, and I believe Specialized spec'ed the bike well for the beginner. A Jett is still better than nothing at all, and most people buying this bike probably haven't had a bike with a suspension fork before, or at least a real one. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
tom james
a Cross Country Rider
from kingston,wa.
Date Reviewed: March 13, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | non-road | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$400.00 | | Purchased At: | kingston classic cycles | | Strengths: | WONT BREAK. mid-range weight. forks are ok. this bike is pretty forgiving and corners alright. can be ridden anywhere anytime forever and it wont break. shocks smooth out ride and are very durable, handle bumps and curbs well. not to stiff but still lets you feel the trail. works great on the road or trail. | | Weaknesses: | rims kind of bad, replaced w/sun metal rhyno lite rims. also the grips SUCK, the cranks last about 1 year, and the pedals bite a##, they have a plastic bearing case that will crack at first hard jump. replace them when you buy the bike first. a little heavy. shocks bottom out easily and traction sucks | | Similar Products Used: | training wheels, weeeeeee! | | Bike Setup: | rhyno lite rims (sun metal)
Specialized male support seat
michelin wildgripper tires | | Bottom Line: | a really good bike for the money, great for entry level and good all the way up to intermediate class XC racing and novice class DH. almost unbreakable and handles well. can be thrashed.
I say replace the seat cranks grips and pedals when you buy the bike, see if you can get a discount. handlebar is also worth replaceing as it is heavy and does not easily accept add ons. not great in terms of weight but handles well and is a good learner because it doesnt have any little quirks that will mess you up later. descends alright.
Ideal buyer: newbie or weekend warrior who needs a bike that will also get him around town.
Dont buy it if: You want a trail specific bike that will handle big drops. go for a trek 4900. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Nate
a Weekend Warrior
from Crofton, MD
Date Reviewed: March 11, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Arundel high school | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$315.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike Doctor | | Strengths: | Pretty good, forgiving, chromoly frame. It's a stable bike and handles corners well. I have ridden it hard in various conditions; it has a couple scratches but it's fine otherwise. Also has an adjustable stem. A great first bike, it falls within the price range of anyone on a budget. | | Weaknesses: | Crappy tires with very little traction. I upgraded these recently and the bike is a hell of a lot better. Also, the fork is low-end RockShox, but it's not terrible. It could be lighter also, and has the worst grips ever (but new ones are cheap) | | Similar Products Used: | GT Outpost, Mongoose aluminum hardtail | | Bike Setup: | I upgraded my tires and grips, as well as buying a pair of Specialized bar ends. I might upgrade the fork soon, but I won't need another bike for a long time. | | Bottom Line: | Great first bike; great value. Needs some affordable upgrades for great performance. Upgrading the fork is optional, but a good idea if you have the money. Buy it and ride it hard. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
El Ciclista Errante MTB
a Cross Country Rider
from Monterrey, N.L., México
Date Reviewed: March 9, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Chipinque | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$400.00 | | Purchased At: | TeknoBike | | Strengths: | Really strong frame, actually I'm surprised of its incredible strength, since all the beating I've given to it in races and day long travels (and daily rides) hasn't been enough to brake it. | | Weaknesses: | None, considering the price I paid for this incredible bike. | | Similar Products Used: | Before this, I had a Mongoose. But, compared or not to the HardRock FS, it was crap. | | Bike Setup: | Just added some Diamondback barends.
It has Alivio rear derailleur and Acera front, SRAM grip shift shifters, and some nameless linear pull brakes.
Rock Shox JETT fork with preload adjusters. | | Bottom Line: | This bike is a real mountain bike, not just an "entry-level" bike. Well, some people will prefer upgrading the fork, but it's not that bad. Actually, it really works, and it will resist all the beating you could ever give it.
Look, I'm a real mountainbiker. Besides racing against other bikers with much more expensive bikes, I ride everyday, up to four or more hours daily. I've done real day long rides, and my bike's taken through all of it PERFECTLY. Sincerely, you don't need XTR, or Avid brakes, or JUDY suspension fork, or a real light frame. If you're fit, you won't complain about any weight.
Buy this bike if you want one that will give you lots and lots of fun and REAL glory on races. BEsides you can take it whith you when exploring any mountain. And I've done it.
If you speak Spanish, check out the following adresses:
www.xpmexico.com (everything you need is here)
www.meb.com.mx (México en Bicicleta - México on Bike)
See ya. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brian Cheung
a Cross Country Rider
from Hong Kong
Date Reviewed: March 4, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Anywhere | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Strong frame
Great handling
Price
Looks? | | Weaknesses: | Heavy for a hardtail | | Similar Products Used: | Cannondale Cadd2
Klein Mantra Pro
| | Bike Setup: | XT through out
Thomson Elite Seat post
Selle Ti seat
Profile handle bars.
standard wheels
Kore
RockShox XC
| | Bottom Line: | The parts are all XT since they are much better than standard and lighter too. The seatpost and seat makes a difference. The suspension needs to changed cos the standard ones were bottoming out...
Had a crash and still intact so pretty cool bike for the money. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jay
a Weekend Warrior
from Pennsylvania
Date Reviewed: February 27, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Lots | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$329.00 | | Purchased At: | Blue Mountain Sports (they Rock) | | Strengths: | Frame, Rock Shox, tires/wheels, grip shift, brakes, etc a lot of decent stuff for the price | | Weaknesses: | Seat, upgrade it! Your twig and berries will thnak you male riders, handelbar/stem | | Similar Products Used: | GT, Trek 4300, gary fisher tassajara, and other entry level bikes | | Bike Setup: | STOCK | | Bottom Line: | This is a kick ass bike for the price, if your new to riding and dont want to spend alot but want to get a lot this is the ride. Shop around and compare other similiar bikes like the marin hawk mountain or trek 4300 or whatever else and go with what fits and what ou like. Compare specs and deals and go for it. But I was really happy with this bike when I had it it really held up, and specialized really backs up their bikes to the end!! Good luck now get out there and ride!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Shane Wilson
a Cross Country Rider
from Kansas City
Date Reviewed: January 22, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Landahl | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$325.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike Source - Kansas City | | Strengths: | Great price, Rock Shox Jett is a nice touch for the price, strong (and great looking) crank, "Monkey Vomit Green" is an awesome color | | Weaknesses: | Avilio Derailleur will be upgraded soon, the grip shift can be difficult to get a hold of quickly in sketchy situations. Buy your new pedals at the same time you buy this bike - maybe they'll give you a discount. I think Specialized threw these pedals on knowing they'd be replaced anyway. | | Similar Products Used: | My first MTB | | Bike Setup: | Specialized Body Symmetry saddle, Race Face Prodigy Handle Bar (Stock is too wide) Kore Lite 3 stem. (XT Derailleur and Shimano 848 pedals coming soon) | | Bottom Line: | I hate to hear it but it's a great first bike. If you've got the money to upgrade the main components - it would be a great second bike also. I bought mine hoping to just keep the dust from settling on it. Once I found some trails near my home - I couldn't stay off of it. The fork is great. I personally don't see the point of a MTB without one. I put about 50 miles a week on mine and there's no slow down in the near future. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
David
a Cross Country Rider
from Boone, NC USA
Date Reviewed: December 29, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Any one at Tsali | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$260.00 | | Purchased At: | Boone bike and touring | | Strengths: | The frame is tight. According to the person who sold me the bike the difference from an aluminum frame and the steel one is 1/2 lb which isn't worth the extra money. Grip shifters are nice and shift smooth. Paint job on the bike is also a definite strength, it's pretty yet it's still manly. | | Weaknesses: | Pedals are ugly and not well designed, going to upgrade to some click in pedals when I come up with the cash. Also a disadvantage with the front shock is that it's not adjustable, yet something else to upgrade when the cash comes in. | | Similar Products Used: | Lower end Diamond Back bikes. | | Bike Setup: | Pretty much stock right now, gonna gradually be upgrading it to a monster of a bike :) | | Bottom Line: | Buy this bike, but make sure you shop around, I've looked at some of the prices that people paid and see how much I got it for, there's always a better deal. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ryan
a Cross Country Rider
from Santa Barbara
Date Reviewed: November 21, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Jesasita | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$390.00 | | Purchased At: | Bicycle Bob's | | Strengths: | The frame, the stiff ride, gripshift(gotta love them), decent brakes for the price, longlasting, solid(if a bit heavy and cheesy) rims(replaced with Sun 0Degree w/LX hubs), nice fork for the price
| | Weaknesses: | Those beautiful Specialized cranks(upgraded to LX Hollowtech) the 1pound BB(now splined shimano), pedals(still have them though), derraileurs(now LX). While these parts do suck, for the price this was the best bike for the money, the frame is definately upgrade worthy and raceable(if you upgrade it) and it takes large amounts of abuse(miscalculated jumps and drops, including an embarrasing one off a picnic table) | | Similar Products Used: | Kona Roast, Chute, Manomano, my friends RM Oxygen | | Bike Setup: | bomber Z5 alloy air and everything else I said up there | | Bottom Line: | Buy this bike if you want to get started in MTB. Upgrade it later on and maybe start racing, don't listen to smart ass friends who think steel is to heavy, who cares if it is heavy it's fast and durable espacially for the price. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Carl
a Weekend Warrior
from Novi MI
Date Reviewed: September 23, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Anything with dirt! | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$350.00 | | Purchased At: | Town & Country | | Strengths: | Realitively inexpensive. Strong solid bike. It's a specialized bike. | | Weaknesses: | I don't particularly like the derailers. | | Similar Products Used: | Trek 4500, some Diamond Back stuff | | Bike Setup: | Stock except I put an XT rear derailer and a LX derailer on the front. I'm going to add a specialized riser bar soon. | | Bottom Line: | If you are looking to get started in mtn. biking get this bike! It is well worth the money. It takes a beating an asks for more. I'm a bigger guy 240+ and this bike has not given me a problem. I love it! Plus specialized customer support is excellent. Buy this bike you will not be sorry. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rory Dow
a Weekend Warrior
from Manchester, UK.
Date Reviewed: September 14, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$400.00 | | Purchased At: | Harry Hall's Cycles, Manchester, UK. | | Strengths: | You can ride it hard (by beginners standards).
The European version comes with Rapid Fire shifters :)
The forks have coped with everything I've put them through so far.
Pretty light for the price.
| | Weaknesses: | The seat bent beyond usefulness on the first ride!
Pedals really need upgrading if you're serious about off-roading.
Mud seems to get into the head-tube rather easily. I have to take apart and re-grease the bearings after mud-heavy rides. | | Similar Products Used: | The only real competition came from the Kona Hahanna 2000. | | Bottom Line: | This is a great buy for first-time mountain bikers. Quality build, good solid components and it feels good to ride. Its not going to compare with bikes twice the price and you shouldn't expect it to, but it IS a pro mountain bike for an amazing price. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kris Kasper
a Cross Country Rider
from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Date Reviewed: September 4, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | K Country in Alberta | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$400.00 | | Purchased At: | Gord's Ski and Cycle | | Strengths: | Good forks, light bike for the price paid, excellent components for the price paid as well. looks are great, and has a nice smooth ride. | | Weaknesses: | gripshifts- I upgraded to rapid fire, do it, its easy to brake and shift at the same time, I'd like to see you try and do that with gripshifts. | | Bike Setup: | Shimano rapid fire shifters, aluminum pedals with toe clips, Specialized Body Geometry seat. | | Bottom Line: | Great bike for biking to work and school, easy to ride for a not to expensive investment. Looks great, and is a multi purpose bike for on the road and off the road riding. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ed Rubin
a Weekend Warrior
from Beaverton, OR, USA
Date Reviewed: August 21, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$350.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike'n Hike | | Strengths: | Great value, fork seems to work well and the dual-angle stem is a slick idea. Handles well and I can shift easily on hills. | | Weaknesses: | The Gripshifts are uncomfortable on my hands, round ones like my wife's bike would be better. The pedals are uncomfortable | | Similar Products Used: | Demoed KHS Alite 500, Novara Aspen AL | | Bike Setup: | Terry Liberator seat, bars in high position, Burley Bravo trailer, going to buy semi-slick tires for faster ride on pavement(Performance has red/black tires to match my red/black frame and helmet, I'll be a total fashion victim) | | Bottom Line: | So far so good, it seemed like the steel frame and the Rockshox was a better deal than an aluminum frame and an RST and I've had no reason to regret it. I do most of my riding on paved trails now but I expect to do some real trail riding and I think this bike is up to it. The only other bike that I would have considered is the Novara Bonanza, which takes the same route, using a steel frame to leave room in the budget for better components. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Paul
a Weekend Warrior
from Roanoke Rapids, NC, USA
Date Reviewed: August 6, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | power lines in RR | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | frame, pedals, looks, price | | Weaknesses: | gripshift-prefer rapid fire, wheels-became untrue on trip home. | | Similar Products Used: | old school diamondback outlook(rigid) demoed trek 4500 | | Bike Setup: | stock 17" | | Bottom Line: | good bike for anyone who isn't going to ride it too hard. after my first ride the gears slipped and wouldn't change well. if you plan to get your bike muddy dont get this one. i've had mine 3 days and im taking it back to get a trek 4500. same price, better bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John S
a Cross Country Rider
from so cal
Date Reviewed: August 5, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | light weight for the price. solid grip shift. adjustable stem. ok grip. pretty good shock | | Weaknesses: | pedal suck, handle bar way too long (trimmed 2.5 inches off, now fine), way too many stickers on it | | Similar Products Used: | none, a roddie convert | | Bike Setup: | most stickers removed. bar ends, time pedal, Specialezed Nimbus Armadillo tires. | | Bottom Line: | can't get any better then this for less then 400 bucks. i didn't want to shell out more than 700 dollars for a mtb just so i can ride it for kicks. but this 400 dollar bike is able to keep up quality wise with some of the 700 dollar bikes that was also in the bike shop.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Aaron Erdman
a Downhiller
from Manitowoc Wi USA
Date Reviewed: August 2, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Suettie 16 X | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Good derailer, chainwheels, and handeling-pretty lightwieght for a cheap bike. It goes really fast compared to my other piece of &**@##ing son of a #$^%$#%! bike from Sears | | Weaknesses: | The wheels are sucky. Replace the tires too if your a down-to-earth mountain biker | | Similar Products Used: | Giant Rincon | | Bike Setup: | Factory | | Bottom Line: | If you need a bike to go to work or scool with it a great bike for the price. I your an extreme Mt biker like me but doesnt have any money buy the bike. Its gotta be the very best you can get for under $400. After riding this i learned to stay the heck away from the cheapy bike isle at Wal-Crap(walmart) or IShotKo(Shopko) or Targone(Target).
This bike can handle almost any terain as long as you dont over do it. If you have thousands of dollars- buy a bike that costs thousands or dollars because you'll save a lot of repair bills by doing that. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Peanut
a Weekend Warrior
from Temple, TX
Date Reviewed: July 28, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Devil's Backbone at BLORA | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | very rigid, price, components | | Weaknesses: | a little heavy(actively working on that problem) | | Similar Products Used: | bianchi, ralleigh | | Bike Setup: | shimano v-brakes, kore lite3 stem, kore easton EA-70 hb, panaracer XCPro tires(coming soon-new fork) | | Bottom Line: | great deal for the money. most parts will hold up until you want to upgrade. keep it real! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Matt
a Weekend Warrior
from Sacramento
Date Reviewed: July 16, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | American River | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Light frame for the price class, great response on the trail, Jett fork instead of cheaper Suntour, Shimano drivetrain, alloy stem, alloy seatpost, alloy handlebar | | Weaknesses: | gripshift, but that's a personal opinion | | Similar Products Used: | n/a | | Bike Setup: | Stock with cuda handlebar, cuda stem, cuda barends, lizard skins headset protector | | Bottom Line: | I had the chance to buy the new 2001 Giant Rincon SE which boasted an aluminum frame, but lower components all around. The Specialized bike offers great components throughout the bike for the perfect price for anybody looking to get into off-road cycling. This bike would outperform bikes twice the cost with only a few minor upgrades to the crankset and rear derailer. I would recommend it to anybody! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sean Noyce
a Weekend Warrior
from Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
Date Reviewed: July 10, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Shoreline Trail | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | GREAT PRICE, shocks seem to be adequate, moderately light (compared to the cheap-ass Fuji that I previously owned), shifts fairly well (nice to go from 3 to 7 in nothing flat), nice color scheme, great entry-level bike. | | Weaknesses: | Hard to adjust to the grip-shifts, considering I came from years of rapid-fire shifting. Don't care too much for the fork...but hey, what do you expect for the money??? | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized 2000 Hardrock (w/o shocks), and 2000 Rockhopper FS | | Bike Setup: | stock | | Bottom Line: | So far, it's a great bike. I haven't taken it out much in the dirt, but it seems to be quite versatile. For the money, I don't think you have much to compare to. Most other bikes I've ridden have been 2-3 times the cost, and from what I've gathered, the HardRock is only a couple steps down from those. Specialized seems to give a lot for the money with the HardRock. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jay
a Weekend Warrior
from Jim Thorpe
Date Reviewed: June 27, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Broad Mtn | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Almost evrything so far, has a great stem, bars, brakes, rims, tires, seat it works out perfect for me. The RockShox are perfect for an entry level shock!! | | Weaknesses: | Grip shift that about all | | Similar Products Used: | Nothing is comparable to a specialized | | Bike Setup: | All factory for the exception of coda bar ends, lizard skin chain guard, lizard skin brake lever covers and a pair of lizard skin bar end covers. | | Bottom Line: | The hardrock specialized lives up to its name, its like a hard rock. No matter what you dish out its ready to give as much back. The bike just works! I am an entry level rider, but I have done some technical riding and it worked out well. For the price you can't go wrong. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
alan
a Weekend Warrior
from morgantown,west virginia,US
Date Reviewed: June 23, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | strong frame, great fork, nice brakes and the gripshifts are awesome great price too, only $360 | | Weaknesses: | none that i can find | | Bike Setup: | stock | | Bottom Line: | For the price you can't get a better bike. Great color scheme (red/black), rockshox jett s fork, comfortable grips and nice brakes. It's a great mixed terrain bike but if you're looking to race you might want to upgrade the components. Bottom line is that this is an awesome bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ryan Hill
a Cross Country Rider
from Santa Barbara, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: June 13, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Jesusita | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | The sweet riding steel frame. Nice paint job. Love the Gripshift | | Weaknesses: | Cheesy fork, rims, the front derrailleur, crank | | Similar Products Used: | No other front suspension bikes, demoed Kona Manomano | | Bike Setup: | Old Rockhopper saddle, Marazochi Z.5 Alloy Air, soon new cranks, pedals, and derraileurs | | Bottom Line: | The equipment works but after one race and a couple stream crossings the front derraileur and crank needed to be fixed every ten minutes or so, can't shift easily from 2nd to 3rd, had a bit of chainsuck and chain falling off. Overall I love it and won't go back to anything w/o Gripshift. Needs plenty of upgrades to get the real potential out of it.
Advice:
Get a new fork
Get a new crank and at least a new front derrailleur
Have fun | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kyle
a Cross Country Rider
from G-town, TN, USA
Date Reviewed: May 20, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Tour de Wolf | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | Lots of flex, cool monkey vomit green color, does bad wheelies (about 250 pedals). | | Weaknesses: | Heavy, seatpost is heavy(but strong), cheap fork, What ever happened to double walled rims. | | Similar Products Used: | 1998 Hardrock FS (cracked off of a jump) | | Bike Setup: | 2000 XT Hollowtech cranks, XT front and rear derailers, EA70 handlebar, Kore ahedlite 3 stem, Sram 8.0 PLASMA 9 speed shifters, LX mega 9 cassette, XTR Brakes, Avid 2,0 levers, Ride on Gortex cables, Chris King headset, Mavic Cross Land Wheels, Hutchinson Python Gold tires, and much much more. | | Bottom Line: | It's a bad-ass bike with all of my modifications. Weighs 27lbs. Extremely strong. Really Hot-Rod looking green color. Would suggest to people who do not have much money(like me) and who want to hop it up a lot. It rides better then my friends C-Dale F900SL. This is because it is steel not alum. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Michael Burns
a Weekend Warrior
from Wallingford , CT. USA
Date Reviewed: May 19, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | The Strand on the beach in California ( That was a fun one for sure) | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | First off , the looks are great. With so many bikes out there the paint schemes look ridiculous, this one is sweet (black and green) Brakes are super. Suprisingly light. Great build quaility. fantastic price. Capable shock | | Weaknesses: | That grip shift is quite the bear , especially the front derailer. It will take some time to adjust to this. I think companies should give youthe option of shifter type for this. It only makes sense , rapid fire is just better | | Similar Products Used: | 1993 Kawasaki ZX-7RR rarely used on trails. often seen at 140 mph going by some nice singletrack areas though | | Bike Setup: | stock, except for a huge Specialized lock to keep any criminals paws off my ride | | Bottom Line: | Okay , carrying this thing up three flights of stairs to put it in my 3rd floor apartment is no picnic but well worth it. I was looking for a nice bike with a shock for tooling around on and for taking ontrips and to events where a bike is the prefered transportation. I didn't want to lay down $800 for any companies latest and greatest let alone $3000 !!! I got excactly what i need and did it for $360 !!!!! At that price its hard to beat , andit gets the job done. Happy trails !! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jim McElligott
a Weekend Warrior
from Queens,NEW York
Date Reviewed: May 8, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Forest Park, Alley Pond (hey there the only in queens) | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | strong bike, nice colo scheme, good bike for the money, hanndles verey well | | Weaknesses: | grip shifters, there hard to get the hang of | | Similar Products Used: | Schwin high plains( HaHa) | | Bike Setup: | shimano brakes and deraileurs, aluminun stem jett s shocks, fatter tires, grip shift, green and black paint job. | | Bottom Line: | greta bike i like it alot there is only two problemes with it. the grip shifts are hard to get use to and two the bike is verey slow in the sand. btu i guess every bike is the. this bike takes abuses and is verey good for a biggner like myself. it also hanndel the road verey well to. just stiffen the shock befor road ridding. i learned that lesson quickly | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike Newberry
a Weekend Warrior
from Edwardsbrug
Date Reviewed: March 5, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Dr. Lawless | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Good Handling, Strong Bike, good for the money | | Weaknesses: | I'm not too fond of the grip shift although that may be because I have only used rapid fires in the past. | | Similar Products Used: | gary Fisher Marlin | | Bike Setup: | SHimano brakes and deraileurs, aluminum stem, jett shocks, fatter tires, chromolly frame, grip shift. | | Bottom Line: | Good bike for the money, I like rapid fires better than grip shift though. I highly recomend this bike for the intermediate rider. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Cyriss Tacal
a Weekend Warrior
from Carson City, NV
Date Reviewed: February 26, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | ? | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Lite weight, Great handleing, good control, strong bike, great price. | | Weaknesses: | Brakes, shifting | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | Jett shocks, Shimano Derailures, New duel angle stem for road or trail.grip shifters. Fatter tubing than last years model but thinner walls. | | Bottom Line: | A great bike for the price I am a begginer and I heard this bike would be a good bike for me. I ride it pretty hard and it has held together very well. The rear brakes already have lost some power, and the shifting isnt that great. It is not heavy at all and handles great. I would recommend it if you want a good cheap bike for road or trail. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
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