Giant or Specialized...

No experience with Giant at all, but I _do_ like my HardRock.... ;-)

Steve

James Davis said:

Hey...

I know people probably ask this kinda question all the time but...

I am in the market for a beginners bike.. Looking to spend around £300. So far after some
investigation I have narrowed it down to a Specialized Hardrock or a Giant Yukon... Any
opinions??? I shall be testing both, but would like a heads up from someone experienced with these
things..

Thanks in advance

James

I own a POS Specialized and I passed a more expensive Giant on my ride Friday. So I would have to
say that Specialized is the better choice.

|-

Have a look at mtbreview.comreviewsOpen ↗ may be some help

Kent <Top posting rlues!>

"supadumdum" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

James Davis said:

Hey...

I know people probably ask this kinda question all the time but...

I am in the market for a beginners bike.. Looking to spend around £300. So far after some
investigation I have narrowed it down to a Specialized Hardrock or a Giant Yukon... Any
opinions??? I shall be testing both,

but

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

would like a heads up from someone experienced with these things..

Thanks in advance

James

I own a POS Specialized and I passed a more expensive Giant on my ride Friday. So I would have to
say that Specialized is the better choice.

|-

"James Davis" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Hey...

I know people probably ask this kinda question all the time but...

No such thing as a dumb question. It's a good question that lots of people need help with.

Quoted message said:

I am in the market for a beginners bike.. Looking to spend around £300. So far after some
investigation I have narrowed it down to a Specialized Hardrock or a Giant Yukon... Any
opinions??? I shall be testing both,

but

Quoted message said:

would like a heads up from someone experienced with these things..

Both bikes offer excellent value, from solid companies. They're closely matched, from what I've
seen. Pick the one that feels best and fits you best. Depending on your weight, the shock fork may
be a deciding factor. Stock/OEM saddles and pedals are often crappy - those can be replaced very
easily if you like everything else about the bike.

When you're ready to make your final decision on which bike to buy, have the shop really dial-in the
bike: check tire pressure, trim the gear shifters, get the saddle angle, fore/aft adj. and seatpost
height just right for you, and then do your serious test ride. It's amazing what a few little
adjustments can do to sway your opinion of a bike. See if you can take the bike for an extended test
ride on actual off-road trails.

Whatever you do, DO NOT let a salesperson talk you into buying a too-big or too-small bike. They try
to do that sometimes. Get many opinions. Take a knowledgable friend along for help.

Let us know what you end up with, and what you think about it.

Cheers,

Barry

"James Davis" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

Hey...

I know people probably ask this kinda question all the time but...

I am in the market for a beginners bike.. Looking to spend around £300. So far after some
investigation I have narrowed it down to a Specialized Hardrock or a Giant Yukon... Any
opinions??? I shall be testing both, but would like a heads up from someone experienced with these
things..

Thanks in advance

James

Even being a Giant owner, and one who has experienced how great their customer service is between
dealerships, they are both good companies, and good bikes, so it really comes down to what feels
better for you. You won't lose no matter what choice you make.

<[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"James Davis" <[email hidden]> wrote in message

news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Hey...

I know people probably ask this kinda question all the time but...

I am in the market for a beginners bike.. Looking to spend around £300. So far after some
investigation I have narrowed it down to a Specialized Hardrock or a Giant Yukon... Any
opinions??? I shall be testing both,

but

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

would like a heads up from someone experienced with these things..

Thanks in advance

James

Even being a Giant owner, and one who has experienced how great their customer service is between
dealerships, they are both good companies, and good bikes, so it really comes down to what feels
better for you. You won't lose no matter what choice you make.

I agree.

They are both good manufacturers.

IMHO the Giants tend to have better spec bits for the money, but the Specialized frames seem better
- you get what you pay for at the end of the day. You can always upgrade components later, but you
are stuck with the frame.

I would say ride them both and choose the one which feels best, but then again you need to grow into
a bike, so it isn't always the best advice.

At the end of the day you may have to toss a coin to decide.

Maybe you can use the indecision to your advantage, and buy from the dealer who will give you the
best deal - or the daealer who will fix it best when you bend it . . .

Twohat (who probably has been no help at all)

James Davis said:

I am in the market for a beginners bike.. Looking to spend around £300. So far after some
investigation I have narrowed it down to a Specialized Hardrock or a Giant Yukon... Any
opinions??? I shall be testing both, but would like a heads up from someone experienced with these
things..

www.mtbr.com

Either one should be okay.

Regards

Bruno

"Twohat" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

<[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"James Davis" <[email hidden]> wrote in message

news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Hey...

I know people probably ask this kinda question all the time but...

I am in the market for a beginners bike.. Looking to spend around £300. So far after some
investigation I have narrowed it down to a Specialized Hardrock or a Giant Yukon... Any
opinions??? I shall be testing both,

but

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

would like a heads up from someone experienced with these things..

Thanks in advance

James

Even being a Giant owner, and one who has experienced how great their customer service is
between dealerships, they are both good companies, and good bikes, so it really comes down to
what feels better for you. You won't lose no matter what choice you make.

I agree.

They are both good manufacturers.

IMHO the Giants tend to have better spec bits for the money, but the Specialized frames seem
better - you get what you pay for at the end of the day. You can always upgrade components later,
but you are stuck with the frame.

I would say ride them both and choose the one which feels best, but then again you need to grow
into a bike, so it isn't always the best advice.

At the end of the day you may have to toss a coin to decide.

Maybe you can use the indecision to your advantage, and buy from the dealer who will give you the
best deal - or the daealer who will fix it best when you bend it . . .

Twohat (who probably has been no help at all)

Here's just another example of how Giant makes getting into off roading more affordable........http-
://www.giantbicycles.com/us/030.000.000/030.000.000.asp?bikesection=8832&lYear=2003

Price...$430. The Suntour fork isn't anything to brag about, but how about those brakes? You could
really enjoy learning and upgrading that frame.

"iddqdATworldonline.dk" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

James Davis said:

I am in the market for a beginners bike.. Looking to spend around £300. So far after some
investigation I have narrowed it down to a Specialized Hardrock or a Giant Yukon... Any
opinions??? I shall be testing both,

but

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

would like a heads up from someone experienced with these things..

www.mtbr.com

I *don't* recommend MTBR.com. I used to haunt MTBR before the fools rushed
in. The prices asked for beaten-up bikes are just unbelievable. And frames? C'mon people! It's just
insane. The prices are 2x to 3x reasonable (read: eBay)

I was heavily trading on MTBR the first couple of years; but it's nothing like it used to be. I have
tried a few times to find a deal; but eBay kicks its sorry butt, on every score.

The MTBR search system stinks. There are so many stupid, uncategorized "featured" items that any
search is likely to take a very long time to sort out. MTBR's classified section is a pale imitation
of what it once was, and a waste of time, IMO.

Barry

Thanks allot for all your help here people. Much Appreciated.

I shall be riding both the bikes this week and shall let you all know my outcome, although im kinda
leaning towards the specialized for the better frame.. hmmm..

Thanks once again..

James

"B. Sanders" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:w%PLa.60200$Fy6.16400@sccrnsc03...

Quoted message said:

"iddqdATworldonline.dk" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

James Davis said:

I am in the market for a beginners bike.. Looking to spend around

£300.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

So far after some investigation I have narrowed it down to a

Specialized

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Hardrock or a Giant Yukon... Any opinions??? I shall be testing

both,

Quoted message said:

but

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

would like a heads up from someone experienced with these things..

www.mtbr.com

I *don't* recommend MTBR.com. I used to haunt MTBR before the fools rushed
in. The prices asked for beaten-up bikes are just unbelievable. And

frames?

Quoted message said:

C'mon people! It's just insane. The prices are 2x to 3x reasonable (read: eBay)

I was heavily trading on MTBR the first couple of years; but it's nothing like it used to be. I
have tried a few times to find a deal; but eBay

kicks

Quoted message said:

its sorry butt, on every score.

The MTBR search system stinks. There are so many stupid, uncategorized "featured" items that any
search is likely to take a very long time to

sort

Quoted message said:

out. MTBR's classified section is a pale imitation of what it once was,

and

Quoted message said:

a waste of time, IMO.

Barry

Twohat said:

but the Specialized frames seem better

Better how?

Barry

"James Davis" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

Hey...

I know people probably ask this kinda question all the time but...

I am in the market for a beginners bike.. Looking to spend around £300. So far after some
investigation I have narrowed it down to a Specialized Hardrock or a Giant Yukon... Any
opinions???

Whichever one fits the best.

JD

"B a r r y B u r k e J r ." <Keep it in the [email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Twohat said:

but the Specialized frames seem better

Better how?

Barry

Dunno about the models quoted, but my Rockhopper has some bracing around the head, which the same
price Giant doesn't. Giants costing quite a bit more do have it. And when I bought my Rockhopper I
was given a lifetime guarantee for the frame. I asked the dealer what it covered and he said normal
use. I said normal use for a mountain bike is throwing it down mountains and bashing it off rocks.
He said Yeah thats fine, just don't try to claim if you drive over it with your car. When I bought a
brace of Giants for my daughters the dealer was very vague about the frame guarantee, and there
certainly wasn't any lifetime guarantee quoted in any of the documentation.

I realise that doesn't necessarily make the Specialized frame any better than the Giant, and I don't
know about other models in either manufacturer's range, its just a subjective opinion based on my
limited experience.

But then, what do I know?

"James Davis" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Hey...

I know people probably ask this kinda question all the time but...

I am in the market for a beginners bike.. Looking to spend around £300. So far after some
investigation I have narrowed it down to a Specialized Hardrock or a Giant Yukon... Any
opinions??? I shall be testing both,

but

Quoted message said:

would like a heads up from someone experienced with these things..

Thanks in advance

James

Th red and white Yukon looks wicked this year..seems like a good bike for the money.

Cam

"Twohat" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

"B a r r y B u r k e J r ." <Keep it in the [email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Twohat said:

but the Specialized frames seem better

Better how?

Barry

Dunno about the models quoted, but my Rockhopper has some bracing around the head, which the same
price Giant doesn't. Giants costing quite a bit more do have it. And when I bought my Rockhopper I
was given a lifetime guarantee for the frame. I asked the dealer what it covered and he said
normal use. I said normal use for a mountain bike is throwing it down mountains and bashing it off
rocks. He said Yeah thats fine, just don't try to claim if you drive over it with your car. When I
bought a brace of Giants for my daughters the dealer was very vague about the frame guarantee, and
there certainly wasn't any lifetime guarantee quoted in any of the documentation.

I realise that doesn't necessarily make the Specialized frame any better than the Giant, and I
don't know about other models in either manufacturer's range, its just a subjective opinion based
on my limited experience.

But then, what do I know?

Giant has a well documented history of placing broken frames, with little or no questions asked,
with a higher end frame.

B. Sanders said:

I *don't* recommend MTBR.com. I used to haunt MTBR before the fools rushed
in. The prices asked for beaten-up bikes are just unbelievable. And frames? C'mon people! It's
just insane. The prices are 2x to 3x reasonable (read: eBay)

Eh, I wasn't suggesting to buy anything on www.mtbr.com but merely suggesting to check out the
reviews of the bikes in question.

James didn't ask were to buy but for other peoples experiences with the bikes.

Kind regards

Bruno

James Davis said:

Hey...

I know people probably ask this kinda question all the time but...

I am in the market for a beginners bike.. Looking to spend around £300.

Raleigh. More bike for the buck.

Hosh said:

James Davis said:

Hey...

I know people probably ask this kinda question all the time but...

I am in the market for a beginners bike.. Looking to spend around £300.

Raleigh. More bike for the buck.

I work in a shop that sells Raleigh and Giant,along with about 10 other brands.

While Raleigh does give excellent bang for the buck, Giant sometimes does them one better. We've
even had reps that peddle other brands come in and get pretty impressed with the spec on some
Giant models.

Barry

Raleigh bikes have real nice kickstands.

"Hosh" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

James Davis said:

Hey...

I know people probably ask this kinda question all the time but...

I am in the market for a beginners bike.. Looking to spend around £300.

Raleigh. More bike for the buck.