Pros: Price is awesome for entry level bike. Reasonable equipment that can and should be upgraded as they wear out. This bike will take a beathing though.

Cons: Overall weight is like a tank.
RST Gila fork.

Recommendation: An awesome bike to learn on. It is heavy but this makes it substantial enough to cope with your falls and failures. Easily upgrade parts. Cranks, stem, handlebars, rear & front mechs, shifters, levers, (now 9 spd) cassette, and fork have all gone. Bike now substantially lighter.

Pros: The fork on the 2009 model is better and I like the disk brakes. Nice and light, this bike can take a beating

Cons: The tires need to be replaced and sorry specialized, but the pedals are s***.

Recommendation: A great MTB for starters. Get one of these and not a big block store bike. A BBSB is high maitnence and you will end up spending about the same.

Pros: Takes a beating, and comes back for more, great value for the price, excellent frame, alright components, disc brakes okay for price

Cons: Disc brakes squeak at times,

Recommendation: Go for it- it's a great deal, and will take all you can throw at it (well... almost everything)

Pros: The Hardrock Frame has proven to be bullet proof. Has held up well to my abuse over the last year.

Cons: The front fork isn't the greatest, however mine has taken a beating and is still going. When it goes, I'll replace it.

Recommendation: I have a very good FS and just wanted a HT to beat around on some of the local trails. Problem is, I fell in love with the crazy thing and have ridden it in places most people wouldn't think of taking a HT and it has held up extremely well. Don't think you can go wrong for the money.

Pros: It rides real nice in all places.

Cons: it has a suckey fork.

Recommendation: great bike for every one.

Cons: Pedals

Recommendation: Great bike for beginners. I'm a female and needed a small frame; mine's a 15 inch. It came with an upgraded fork (Marzocchi Drop Off's) so I am lucky.

Pros: Specialized quality, price, disk brakes

Cons: lousy stock fork, HEAVY, low-end components

Recommendation: The HR Sport Disk is a great beginner bike. I have a 2005 model, and it came with Shimano parts and Tektro disk brakes. The Shimano parts were low-end Acera derailleurs and shifters, but they work well enough at first. The Tektro disk brakes stop you but have absolutely no feel or modulation. The worst part on this bike is the RST Gila fork. This thing weighs a good 7 lbs, has no adjustability, and feels like it has a Slinky spring inside. This is a horrible piece of equipment and should be upgraded as soon as possible if you find one holding your front wheel. The Truvative crankset was replaced on mine within 2 months because the drive side pedal threads stripped out. Basically, the majority of the stock components are crap, but Spec had to keep the price down or it wouldn't be so attractive to first timers. The Specialized tires that come with this bike are awesome though. I don't regret buying this bike. It served me VERY well and I took it to Fruita, Moab, and all over Colorado. With the right upgrades, you can have an really great hardtail that will last forever.