Cheap bike report

[SScheetz]

Specialized Hard Rock Sport, $360.

$360 is about what I recently spent on a rigid fork, or half of my brake set, or one stinking wheel.

I’ve been mountain biking for 18 years. Over time you eventually upgrade your equipment standards to higher and higher levels. Until now, I assumed that the low end of the MTB food chain couldn’t be used for anything more hard core than a smooth fire road and the occasional curb drop. You know … a heavy duty grocery getter.

Well … I just returned from an extended weekend vacation up in Cannon Beach, OR. There is only one real bike shop in the area, Mikes Bike Shop. Fortunatly, he rents real (on the low end) MTBs, has maps and knows the local trails. The forest up there is absolutely amazing. We spent a couple a days exploring some local single track and logging roads through dense rain forests. The more technical trails are steep, narrow and littered with slippery roots.

It was interesting to ride a “low end” bike and discover how much fun can be had for very little money. The bikes were Specialized Hard Rock Sports that you can usually get for around $350. I thought the ride would suck but instead I discovered that these things can really tear it up without a flinch. So, how did the “one step above dime store wonders” handle real (XC) mountain biking?

I had no idea that RST forks, Tektro brakes, and low end SRAM preformed so well. These babies are heavy for hard tails, but who cares, we weren’t racing. They took a good beating and handled great. The beefy frame should last through years of upgrades (opps, there I go again). For anyone getting into the sport on the cheap, I can highly recommend this bike. The unimpressive component list worked incredibly well. It was far better than the crap I was expecting. I can’t judge long term durability. I should mention that it was a perfectly adjusted and maintained rental.

I now wonder how many people I might have scared away from the sport by telling them they need to spend at least $800 for an entry level bike.

[spookydave]

just goes to show it's not the bike, it's the rider.

Good post man, thanks for the reality check.

[Krunk]

nice hotdog.

[new2mtb]

i agree with mark here, when my fork broke i had to take my gf's bike to jpl and did el prieto. Same bike, hardrock 05 with rst fork. It did well, a bit pogo-ing with the front fork but manageable. Specialize makes good startup bikes. and they are reliable too.

Oh, im selling my hardrock btw, no more space in the garage. I know it'll be too low end for the people here, but in case you know some friends that know some friends that wanted to get into the sport, letme know. Its clean, no scratch, dent, anything.

[Skeeter]

Thats nice to hear you had a good rental and trip.
You can thank yourself for those parts being manageable. By being a person that is always upgrading you keep the companies doing R&D and those parts that you used personally on your bike a few years ago, as the newest, best, etc. are now the low end components installed on their entry level bikes. Because of guys like you and most of us on this website the entire line of MTB are always getting better.

[SScheetz]

Originally Posted by RSMLA

Thats nice to hear you had a good rental and trip.
You can thank yourself for those parts being manageable. By being a person that is always upgrading you keep the companies doing R&D and those parts that you used personally on your bike a few years ago, as the newest, best, etc. are now the low end components installed on their entry level bikes. Because of guys like you and most of us on this website the entire line of MTB are always getting better.

I'm actually quit happy to be doing my part. I heard once that most of Shimano's engineering goes into the lower end stuff. It's not easy making good workinig components at a super low price.

[dirttorpeedo]

that is one of the most popular bikes at the shop.same frame up the line too.specialized no's what they'er doing,thay've been dooing it for 25yrs.they spend alotta time on rider comfort too.nice riteup.......oh yah i've got the mustard.

[new2mtb]

don't make me regret i sold mine

Originally Posted by dirttorpeedo

that is one of the most popular bikes at the shop.same frame up the line too.specialized no's what they'er doing,thay've been dooing it for 25yrs.they spend alotta time on rider comfort too.nice riteup.......oh yah i've got the mustard.

[gurp13]

That's why all the kewl kids ride Specialized instead of those way over-priced Turners and Ventanas.

[dhshuttlemonkey]

Originally Posted by gurp13

That's why all the kewl kids ride Specialized instead of those way over-priced Turners and Ventanas.

Except those that ride a girly color Specialized.

[Evel Knievel]

Surly 1X1 and Redline monocog are to of my favorite cheapo rides .

[gurp13]

Originally Posted by MTBRacer

Except those that ride a girly color Specialized.

Yeah, seriously. That's why I got a red bike. It's the color of blood and blood = death. What's more manly than imminent death?

[ShinKen]

Originally Posted by gurp13

That's why all the kewl kids ride Specialized instead of those way over-priced Turners and Ventanas.

muuhahhahahhahaha!! cheers bUB!!

[CC]

That's excellent advice...a prefect bike for someone who will most likely put a few dings and scratches on their bike the first year.

Now tell me more about that trail..eh?

[Pain Freak]

Originally Posted by Evel Knievel

Surly 1X1 and Redline monocog are to of my favorite cheapo rides .

[SIZE=7]HEY![/SIZE]
[SIZE=4]My Surly ain't cheap. [/SIZE]

[Evel Knievel]

Originally Posted by Pain Freak

[SIZE=7]HEY![/SIZE]
[SIZE=4]My Surly ain't cheap. [/SIZE]

How about , cost effective . Is that a better description ?

[Pain Freak]

Originally Posted by Evel Knievel

How about , cost effective . Is that a better description ?

Okay that works.