Which Mountain bike do I buy?
Question:
'07 Hardrock Pro Disc
'06 RockHopper Pro Disc
'05 Specialized FSR XC
'07 RockHopper Comp Disc
Here are the specifications of each bike...
2006 Specialized Rockhopper Pro Disc
Frame: A1 Premium Aluminum
Fork: Marzocchi Drop OFF Comp, 130mm-travel
Rims/Wheels: Sun SingleTrack
Hubs Front: Specialized disc; Rear: Shimano M-475 disc
Spokes: Stainless-steel
Tires: Specialized Enduro, 26 x 2.3
Crankset: TruVativ Blaze
Chainwheel: 32/22 w/bash guard
Front Derailleur: Shimano Deore
Rear Derailleur: Shimano Deore LX
Rear Cogs: Shimano HG50, 9-speed: 11-34
Shifters: Shimano Deore SL
Handlebars: Aluminum riser, 31.8mm
Tape/Grips: Specialized double-density Kraton
Stem: TruVativ XR
Brake Levers: Avid FR-5
Brakes: Avid BB5, mechanical disc
Pedals: Aluminum platform
Saddle: Specialized Body Geometry Sport MTB
Seat Post: Aluminum, micro-adjustable
Seat Binder: Aluminum quick-release
2007 Specialized Hardrock Pro Disc
Frame: Specialized A1 Premium aluminum w/O.R.E. technology
Fork: Marzocchi MZ Race LO, 100mm-travel w/lockout
Rims/Wheels: Specialized/Alex
Hubs Front: Specialized Hi Lo disc; Rear: Shimano M475 disc
Spokes: 14-gauge stainless-steel
Tires: Specialized Resolution, 26 x 2.1
Crankset: Shimano
Chainwheel: 44/32/22
Front Derailleur: Shimano Deore
Rear Derailleur: SRAM SX-5
Rear Cogs: Shimano HG50, 9-speed: 11-34
Shifters: SRAM SX-5 Trigger
Handlebars: Aluminum, 31.8mm
Tape/Grips: Specialized Enduro double-density Kraton
Stem: Specialized 3D forged-aluminum
Brake Levers: Hayes Sole
Brakes: Hayes Sole, hydraulic disc, 6-inch rotors
Pedals: Specialized aluminum platform
Saddle: Specialized Body Geometry ATB
Seat Post: Aluminum, micro-adjustable
2007 Specialized Rockhopper Comp Disc
Frame: Specialized A1 Premium aluminum w/O.R.E. technology
Fork: RockShox Tora 302 SL, 100mm-travel
Rims/Wheels: Specialized/Alex
Hubs: Specialized Hi Lo disc
Spokes: 15-gauge stainless-steel
Tires: Specialized Fast Trak, 26 x 2.0
Crankset: Shimano
Chainwheel: 44/32/22
Front Derailleur: Shimano Deore
Rear Derailleur: Shimano Deore
Rear Cogs: Shimano HG50, 9-speed: 11-34
Shifters: Shimano Deore
Handlebars: Aluminum riser
Tape/Grips: Specialized Enduro
Stem: Specialized 3D forged-aluminum
Brake Levers: Avid FR-5
Brakes: Avid BB5, mechanical disc, 6-inch rotors
Pedals: Specialized Aluminum
Saddle: Specialized Body Geometry MTB
Seat Post: Specialized aluminum
2005 Specialized FSR XC
Frame: A1-aluminum, FSR technology
Fork: Manitou Axel Comp 100mm-travel
Headset: Aluminum
Rear Shock: X-Fusion air
Rims/Wheels: Aluminum
Hubs Front: Stout Disc; Rear: Shimano Disc
Tires: Specialized Adrenaline, 26 x 2.0
Crankset: Shimano, square taper
Chainwheel: 44/32/22
Chain: Shimano
Front Derailleur: Shimano Deore
Rear Derailleur: Shimano LX
Rear Cogs: Shimano Deore LX, 9-speed: 11-34
Shifters: Shimano Deore
Handlebars: XC low-rise
Tape/Grips: MTB double-density Kraton
Stem: 3D forged-aluminum, 6-degree rise
Brake Levers: Shimano
Brakes: Linear-pull, aluminum
Pedals: Aluminum platform
Saddle: Body Geometry, dual-density base, steel rails
Seat Post: Aluminum
Seat Binder: Aluminum quick-release
Answer:
If possible, you should ride each of them on the same trail so that you can compare. If you go to a show/race, often the manufacturers are there and have bikes you can test ride.
How much you're willing to spend and they type of riding you plan on doing really should influence your decision the most. For example, if you like climbing (as I do), you might pick the lightest bike. The lighter the bike, the more expensive though. If you like technical drops, you might pick the 2006 Specialized Rockhopper Pro Disc, because that has the 130mm travel fork.
I've just upgraded from an old 100mm to a new 130mm and that extra 30mm makes a difference on descents.
Disk brakes are nice, but I wouldn't choose one bike over another just because one had disks.
Do you ride now? If so, trade with some of your riding buddies to get a feel for how different bikes ride.
No matter what you get, if you really ride, you're gonna wear out just about every part on that bike (no kidding). If you get something with a nice fork and frame, but the rest of the gear isn't that great, you can just upgrade that stuff as it wears out. For example, my FSR used to be 8 spead, but the cassettte and chain and rear Derailleur have all worn out, so everything was replaced with 9 speed XT (and then all replaced again after a few years). The point is, it's better to get a good frame/fork with OK everything else than getting good equipment on a heavy/poor frame.
I'd probably get the '05 FSR because that's a damn fine bike and is probably cheaper than the others.
Mike.
Sweet.
But get a Klein Attitude.
http://www.dirty-pages.net/bikes/images/...
ive used the hardrock disc before and they are absolutely amazing. i know a summer camp that uses them and they are tortured for several weeks by hundreds of kids -ridden through mud, smashed, banged up, etc- and after 2 years, they still work like new! my advice is get the best bike you can afford. your decision should also depend heavily on the type of riding you do - jumping/stunts or XC- go for something light. downhill/freeride- go with more suspension. hope that helps.
you never stated the purpose of the bike
recreation bike?
trail?
downhill?
commuting?
More Questions & Answers...