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 reviewed by WinMore  on November 10, 2009
| Pros | All aluminum double butted tubes, stock body geometry seat, good travel at 80mm, matte black finish is very durable | | Cons | No real dislikes | | Verdict | My first "REAL" mountain bike, I think this is the best bang for the buck out there. Good quality gear at a great price. Got mine from Pauls Schwinn and they did a great job of getting me fitted and trail ready, plus answearing all my questions since I'm new to this. |
reviewed by rti27 on September 25, 2009
| Pros | I have the XL size frame, the thing is a beast! | | Cons | The frame can flex. | | Verdict | Get it! My is a 2003 with tons of miles on it, and I love it. | | Recommended for: Anyone |
reviewed by mizm05 on August 17, 2009
| Pros | Strong frame
Light weight
Quality components | | Cons | Stock seat is uncomfortable | | Verdict | This is my first quality mountain bike. Before this I've always just had department store bikes. I'm still at the beginner level and I LOVE this bike. I have the 2009 model with the metal pedals and V brakes and the front shocks have 80mm of travel, which is fine for me. I'm 5'10" and 215 lbs and I got the 17" frame and it's holding up like a champ. I take it out at least 3 times a week and take it in once a month to get the spokes and brakes checked. Compared to bikes I've had in the past I was really impressed by the weight of this bike and with the beefy welds on the frame.
All in all I'm sold on the Specialized brand and I'm sure I will be upgrading to a higher end model in a few years. | | Recommended for: Recreational riders |
| Pros | My 2008 HardRock Sport is the sexiest thing I have ever seen! It is the yellow on black and is absolutely gorgeous! I has been the toughest bike I've ever owned and is great for anyone just getting into Mountain Biking. I've beat the heck out of it and it's carried me through a lot of tough stuff. | | Verdict | Great for a beginning Mountain Biker. Tough as heck. Wonderful Bike! | | Recommended for: Anyone |
| Pros | Good starting price for the bikes and the bike it self is very durable, has taken many spills down hills, cement, and other terrain and the most damage is some cosmetic. | | Cons | The only thing I really dislike from the start is the front fork, but like other reviewers have stated replace it and you are good to go for a beginner ride. | | Verdict | Overall, its a nice starter bike. I have replaced parts on it as I went along and will eventually transfer over to a nicer bike sometime. I have put maybe a good amount of trails miles on it and it has held up as I would expect a specialize to do so. | | Recommended for: Recreational riders |
 reviewed by guest on July 14, 2009
| Pros | Comfortable to ride | | Cons | Wheel are far too weak | | Verdict | Has something happened to Specialized's wheel makers? I used to have a 2000 Hardrock and used it for commuting around London for 7 years. The wheels just kept on turning - till the rims wore out simply from braking. That was OK - I'd got more than 10,000 miles out of them. My son also has an older Hardrock and hammers it round a mountain bike course every weekend, again without any problems.
Recently I got a new Hardrock - the 09 pro disk model with Alex Rims. Within four months the rear wheel has collapsed with three broken spokes. I have only used it for commuting in London. Looking at the spokes I can see why - they are much thinner and flimsier than the old ones.
What's more, this is the second Specialized bike I've had to have suffered a rear wheel collapse. The last one was a Rockhopper comp. I keep it for mountain biking but it too was less than a year old and had hardly been used. And I'd kept checking spoke tension.
I think Specialized have either skimped on the wheels or chosen a bad supplier. Either way it could be that you'd be risking a lot of hassle and cash if you go for the current Hardrock and Rockhopper models.
Jonathan, London | | Recommended for: x - Not recommended |
 reviewed by nickrm  on June 1, 2009
| Pros | Very strong bike. | | Cons | Weighs a little more than i prefer. | | Verdict | This was the first decent bike I owned and plan on using it to allow people to ride who go riding with me and don't have a bike. Great first bike for those who are new to sport and need a good entry-level bike. | | Recommended for: First-time buyers |
| Pros | STRONG!!!! medium wieght i weighed 300lbs and never broke anything
| | Cons | frot fork the gilla rst is a hunk of junk uprgade it and be completly satisfied but the gilla hasnt died on me yet 3 years later
| | Verdict | imma big man i havent broken it even got the same rims its just strong | | Recommended for: Clydesdales |
reviewed by guest on April 30, 2009
| Pros | The Disc Brakes were the selling point! | | Cons | Fork | | Verdict | In the past (10 years ago) I was an avid mountain biker with a couple of really nice Cannondales. Since then, I have sold them and wished to get back into riding after quite awhile. Enter the Cannondale/Specialized bike off.
I tested the comparable Cannondale F9 VS. the Specialized Hardrock with Disk Brakes. Both bikes felt great for the price however, I had to give it to Specialized for two reasons.
1. The hardtail (to me) was spot on with my pedaling. Very sensitive and responded immediatley to my feet. Where as the Cannondale felt a tad mushy.
2.(OK, this was a draw) Bike size. I prepfer a smaller ride than most people my size. I am 5'8" and I went with the 15" frame set. I have riden bigger bikes and they honestly feel like they have a mind of their own. Smaller, I can control better and feel more stable. This was a draw between the two bikes, the Cannondale Medium was perfect as well.
3. Disk Brakes. Sure they are mechanical, who gives a S**T. Awesome all weather stopping power? Yes! No stupid "V" brakes anymore!
In summation, the Specialized Hardrock and the Cannondale F9 are sweet entry level rides. The Hardrock wins out for responce and disk brakes.
Word to the wise, If you do go with this bike, buy some upgrades. I want to throw away almost every component that came on this bike. | | Recommended for: Value seekers |
| Pros | Great bike with for a great price. Lightweight, easy to maneuver, and just awesome | | Verdict | IT'S GOOD!!! | | Recommended for: Anyone |
| Pros | well the frame is pretty beefyand the wheel as well | | Cons | well the fork is a pile i would upgrade it as soon u buy the bike driveline is a lil weak | | Verdict | hmm lets see over all the bike is ok well thats if all you want is a strong frame i do alot of jumping and tall drops for the money the bike is great | | Recommended for: Anyone |
| Pros | My first "real" mountain bike...held up for at least 5 years of hard riding | | Cons | None | | Verdict | This is a great beginner bike; it will never let you down | | Recommended for: Recreational riders |
| Pros | Make some upgrades and this bike will last. I take this bike where most hardtails shouldn't go. 3 years of non-stop abuse and it's still holding up well. | | Cons | Needs upgrades for hard riding. But ready to go if you're kind to your bike. | | Verdict | Great value. I've had so much fun on this bike and the price was excellent. | | Recommended for: Anyone |
| Pros | This another great MTB. Lightweight! Specialized has an exceptional service | | Verdict | For anyone that enjoys MTB'ing | | Recommended for: Anyone |
reviewed by gijoetx on August 7, 2008
| Pros | Lighter, rides great, durable, and wheels are nice, can't beat the price | | Cons | shifting isn't too smooth and my seat sucks. | | Verdict | I think that it is a awesome bike just to get started on and catch the bug. It handles well and I have no problem handling decent trails. As of yet I have had no serious issues with it and I expect that I will be happy for a good while or atleast til I save up some more cash for a upgrade. | | Recommended for: First-time buyers |
reviewed by jimgann on June 24, 2008
| Pros | Frame, wheels, price and overall look | | Cons | Shifters, tires | | Verdict | My wife gave me this bike for my 40th birthday and I ride ocassionally but hard when I do. I have ridden more recently and the shifters have noticeably worn and act up. It's been 2.5 years and I ready for some upgrades. Overall, this bike performs very well when tuned-up and maintained well. The frame, head set and handles bars are strong as I'm 210 lbs. and this bike takes some force from my riding style. | | Recommended for: Recreational riders |
| Pros | Light weight. Sturdy frame. Super fast bike. | | Cons | None | | Verdict | I have a 2002 Hardrock. The bike is 6 years old but has been ridden hard until this year. Has taken some beatings on the trail but nothing has broken. Bike seams solid. I did upgrade the shifters and derailures to Shimano XT. Also upgraded the brakes to Shimano Single Digit 7 with Speed Dial 7 Levers. Setup is awsome! May consider upgrading crankset to LX with the external bottom bracket. | | Recommended for: Anyone |
| Pros | Very strong frame......looks cool......pretty light (comparing to other hardtails @ same price).......and what better than a Specialized!! | | Cons | none......it's perfect! | | Verdict | great bike for new trail or mountain bikers.....it will last forever if you take care of it. | | Recommended for: First-time buyers |
reviewed by dlmleo on September 17, 2007
| Pros | Great setup, This was my first bike I had ever purchased and was more then pleased. I put a little over 2000 miles before I bought a more expensive bike. The RST Gilla was more then you ever need on that bike. Took everything I could throw at it in 6 different states. | | Cons | The front end seemed a little heavy. | | Verdict | If you are looking for a entry level bike, This is gold for the small price you pay. | | Recommended for: First-time buyers |
| Pros | sturdy, except for the pedals | | Cons | im 250 lbs and i wore out the stock pedals in a month, hard tail makes you sore after an hour or two | | Verdict | buy a thudbuster seatpost and upgrade the pedals when you get it. I like to ride pretty hard and Im doing my darndest to find the weakspots in it. So far, just the pedals. | | Recommended for: Anyone |
| Pros | the price, sturdiness | | Cons | like the other reviewer, shifting is not as smooth as I would like, so will probably upgrade derailures. | | Verdict | Overall a great bike for the $$ |
| Pros | a very sturdy, i'd say mid-weight bike | | Cons | shifting is not as smooth as i like, but the shop said they'd tune it for me no problem. | | Verdict | i recommend it. i have already taken on some single tracks that would destroy a huffy or department store special! | | Recommended for: Anyone |
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on September 15, 2008
on July 21, 2007
