[Snowywolf822]

So i've been looking around for a beginner mountain bike and this place that i went to is selling Specialized Hardrocks with diskbrakes for 300$ and i'm thinking of buying it but the thing is i've been reading all the reviews about this bike and they say this bike is real heavy would this effect my riding a lot?

 

[CrimsonFox]

Most entry level bikes weigh 30lbs+. You could spend $1500 more and get a bike that weighs 5lbs less. However, if you are out of shape, you are going to have a tough time pedaling either bike up a hill. If you like the bike, get it and ride it. Don't worry about being a weight weenie (although they do have a forum for those guys on here too).

 

[Trail Ninja]

So i've been looking around for a beginner mountain bike and this place that i went to is selling Specialized Hardrocks with diskbrakes for 300$ and i'm thinking of buying it but the thing is i've been reading all the reviews about this bike and they say this bike is real heavy would this effect my riding a lot?

Yes, a heavy bike will effect your riding. You will end up with stronger legs and more stamina than if you rode a lighter bike. When can afford it and you graduate to a lighter bike, your performance will take a sudden leap.

 

[biggoofy1]

its a great bike for the money get it and ride it into the ground then either up grade it or buy a new bike if you can afford it

 

[anavrinIV]

You're not going to be racing out of the gate. Heavy is relative and bike shop guys love to nit pick on every little detail (I used to work in one...the people there could really get on my nerves with their incessant know-it-all-ism and pickiness). For me, a 28lb bike is light. I'm a heavy guy and not in the greatest shape so I don't mind a bike that a racer would consider a boat..it's comfortable to me and I know I'm getting a lot of benefit from it. You won't be able to appreciate a light weight bike anyway, and at the price you won't find a "light" bike. the hardrock is a great starting point (go to walmart and see what a $150 bike weighs...you'll be thrilled at how light your hardrock is) and you can upgrade from there when your skill and budget warrants it.

 

[resclusa]

I have this bike a Specialized Hardrock Disc 2010, and in my opinion it´s not a heavy bike. The thing is people overdo everything, for example if your bike wights 25 lb, and there is a new bike that weights 23lb then they consider that your bike is really heavy, your bike is not heavy, their´s is just really light.
It´s a perfect beginner bike and you can upgrade it through time and possibly take off some weight there, and if you´re so concerned with weight then ride it and when you´re getting used to it and getting in better shape you´ll loose some weight yourself and then you realize it´s lighter...

 

[Bail_Monkey]

If your not going to race, a 30lb mtb is fine. Your just going out on the trails to have fun right? And your not going to do any radical stuff like dropping 10 feet. Your going to trail ride and that bike should be fine.

I think the definition of heavy is 38 lbs plus. Once you start getting into the downhill bikes with double crown front fork and 8 inch rear travel, it really starts getting heavy.

 

[AndrwSwitch]

If your not going to race, a 30lb mtb is fine.

I bought my bike with the same attitude.

Then I raced it.

My idea of an adequate bike for racing has worked its way down to a bike that has everything working. By the end of the race, that can be a surprisingly high bar.

OP, don't worry about weight. Test-ride the bike, and buy it if you like it. Note that if you ride it a lot, you'll wear out some parts fairly quickly and a lot of the stock parts on the Hardrock are "disposable" - either you can't maintain them or they're not worth maintaining. So if you can afford to go up a trim line, the components will give you a better service life. From a quick look at the spec, it doesn't look like Specialized is guilty of some of the more egregious component selections that sometimes show up at that pricepoint, though.

For me, the Hardrock has been an excellent choice. It was the bike I could afford when I wanted to have a mountain bike again, after some time away from the sport, and over the last few seasons, I've messed around with the spec. to the point that now I can go racing or for a long ride and just ride the bike from start to finish, without having to think about it. So on the one hand, I've certainly spent more than I would have if I just started with a more expensive bike, but on the other hand, I've been mountain biking for the last few seasons, not saving money and talking about how cool my bike will be.