Hardtail Poll

Just got my fiance a HardRock (the blue one) and I am pretty impressed with it, for the money. The
only thing Id really like to see stepped up is the front ssup fork. Other than that it is a good
solid bike with good components. A bit heavy, but as you progress you can upgrade! Thats my plan at
least. "Rich" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

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In your "opinion" which is the better bike for me-Specialized Hardrock

Pro,

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or Raleigh M80? Both are low end $ hardtail bikes, but I live in an area that is relatively flat
(no mountains-just hills), and I plan on riding

75%

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tarmac 25% trail. These two bikes are at the same price point of around $500.00.

My assessment is : M80-better components. HR-sturdier frame + disc

brakes.

Quoted message said:

Help me choose.

Rich said:

In your "opinion" which is the better bike for me-Specialized Hardrock Pro, or Raleigh M80? Both
are low end $ hardtail bikes, but I live in an area that is relatively flat (no mountains-just
hills), and I plan on riding 75% tarmac 25% trail. These two bikes are at the same price point of
around $500.00.

My assessment is : M80-better components. HR-sturdier frame + disc brakes.

Help me choose.

go for the specialized it fits like a glove

"Rich" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
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Quoted message said:

In your "opinion" which is the better bike for me-Specialized Hardrock Pro, or Raleigh M80? Both
are low end $ hardtail bikes, but I live in an area that is relatively flat (no mountains-just
hills), and I plan on riding 75% tarmac 25% trail. These two bikes are at the same price point of
around $500.00.

My assessment is : M80-better components. HR-sturdier frame + disc brakes.

Help me choose.

I just looked over specs on both bikes; that Raleigh isn't spec'd to bad, is it? I noticed that you
mentioned in your own assesment that the Hard Rock comes with disc brakes; do you know there is a
version of the M80 with discs too? If you really feel the Specialized is the sturdier of the two
frames, I'll tell you that having a Deore rear end as the Hard Rock Pro does isn't such a bad thing.
I had a Deore on one of my bikes and had an LX on another and honestly I feel the Deore shifted as
well as the LX did. I will tell you that I swear by disc brakes, after using them for a year, but
considering that you only expect to ride 25% of the time off road, you may be able to save some
money and forget the discs, unless you are set on them. They are much more powerful, even in the
mechanical state, and are great for wet conditions. It may come down to riding both and seeing what
feels better, along with looking at the LBS and how they treat you.

"Rich" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
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Quoted message said:

In your "opinion" which is the better bike for me-Specialized Hardrock

Pro,

Quoted message said:

or Raleigh M80? Both are low end $ hardtail bikes, but I live in an area that is relatively flat
(no mountains-just hills), and I plan on riding

75%

Quoted message said:

tarmac 25% trail. These two bikes are at the same price point of around $500.00.

My assessment is : M80-better components. HR-sturdier frame + disc

brakes.

A good fit is the most important factor. I've always liked Specialized geometry, and have heard
very good things about the Hard Rock. It's a venerable line of bikes that have always offered
excellent value.

For your application, all brakes are essentially identical - they will do the job very well. Same
can probably be said for the drivetrain, rims and frame. Even low-end components nowadays work
pretty well and are relatively durable.

Ride 'em both a couple more times and let your gut instinct decide. The one that "feels right" is
probably the right choice. Make sure to get the seat height and angle, tire pressure and other
factors dialed-in on the test bike - this will affect your perceptions strongly.

Barry

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

Quoted message said:

In your "opinion" which is the better bike for me-Specialized Hardrock Pro, or Raleigh M80? Both
are low end $ hardtail bikes, but I live in an area that is relatively flat (no mountains-just
hills), and I plan on riding 75% tarmac 25% trail. These two bikes are at the same price point of
around $500.00.

My assessment is : M80-better components. HR-sturdier frame + disc brakes.

Help me choose.

The M80 and swap that flexy POS fork out for a rigid fork.

JD

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

Quoted message said:

Rich said:

In your "opinion" which is the better bike for me-Specialized Hardrock Pro, or Raleigh M80? Both
are low end $ hardtail bikes, but I live in an area that is relatively flat (no mountains-just
hills), and I plan on riding 75% tarmac 25% trail. These two bikes are at the same price point of
around $500.00.

My assessment is : M80-better components. HR-sturdier frame + disc brakes.

Help me choose.

go for the specialized it fits like a glove

It may fit you like a glove, but how do you know it would fit Rich the same? Are you his clone or
long lost evil twin? In the famous words of Bugs Bunny, "What a maroon."

JD

Rich,

As you can see from my other posts ("Fat Guy *finally* biking", and others) I am far from an expert.

I looked at both the M80 and the HardRock. For me, the frame was a key due to my size. The HardRock
seemed to have a better frame and an overall more solid feel. I can't comment on the shifting or
other component differences.

All I can say is that I spoke to a number of people online before purchasing that the Specialized
came highly recommended. Before I went to the shop though, my overly crazed mind needed a little
more assurance.

I work at Dartmouth College in New Hampshire. I sought out some students here who I know are
*hardcore* bikers (some split road and mtn, others lean one way or the other)... A number of them
have Specialized bikes and the mtn-ers strongly lobbyed for the HardRock over the M80.

I like the 'looks' of the M80 better, but I went with the HardRock. I think you'll be happy if you
go with either, assuming you can't feel a difference riding them.

Nony mouse

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

Quoted message said:

In your "opinion" which is the better bike for me-Specialized Hardrock

Pro,

Quoted message said:

or Raleigh M80? Both are low end $ hardtail bikes, but I live in an area that is relatively flat
(no mountains-just hills), and I plan on riding

75%

Quoted message said:

tarmac 25% trail. These two bikes are at the same price point of around $500.00.

My assessment is : M80-better components. HR-sturdier frame + disc

brakes.

Quoted message said:

Help me choose.

JD says:

Quoted message said:

The M80 and swap that flexy POS fork out for a rigid fork.

I would disagree, and recommend the HardRock with a rigid fork (seeing as how that's what I havem,
and it works good. Fits me too. either way, buy what fits and feels right.

Steve

TacomaBoy says:

Quoted message said:

Just got my fiance a HardRock (the blue one)

I assume you mean "faincee"

;-)

Steve no problem either way, just checking.....

Stephen Baker said:

Quoted message said:

Just got my fiance a HardRock (the blue one)

I assume you mean "faincee"

Are you sure?!

Stephen Baker <[email hidden]> wrote in message
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Quoted message said:

bomba says:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

I assume you mean "faincee"

Are you sure?!

"F_I_A_ncee" Sorry!

;-)

Try 'fiancée' - I should know, being one and all......... heheheheh........ ',;~}~

Shaun aRe

Stephen Baker <[email hidden]> wrote in message
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Quoted message said:

Shaun says:

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Try 'fiancée' - I should know, being one and all.........

heheheheh........

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

',;~}~

I think _you_ meant "'fiancé"......

Some folks.

;-P

Steve

Nope, I meant ' fiancée ', but forgot to put 'having one and all', instead of 'being one and all'.
Buggeration.

Shaun aRe

Holy [censored] man! How about "Girl I am engaged to"!!!???

:-p

"Shaun Rimmer" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
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Quoted message said:

Stephen Baker <[email hidden]> wrote in message
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Quoted message said:

Shaun says:

Quoted message said:

Try 'fiancée' - I should know, being one and all.........

heheheheh........

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

',;~}~

I think _you_ meant "'fiancé"......

Some folks.

;-P

Steve

Nope, I meant ' fiancée ', but forgot to put 'having one and

all',

Quoted message said:

instead of 'being one and all'. Buggeration.

Shaun aRe

Shaun Rimmer said:

Stephen Baker <[email hidden]> wrote in message
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Quoted message said:

Shaun says:

Quoted message said:

Try 'fiancée' - I should know, being one and all.........

heheheheh........

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

',;~}~

I think _you_ meant "'fiancé"......

Some folks.

;-P

Steve

Nope, I meant ' fiancée ', but forgot to put 'having one and all', instead of 'being one and all'.
Buggeration.

Shaun aRe

probably the first time I have heard the word fiancee and buggeration in one scentence ;-D

Jimbo...has a new word for the day...(san)

TacomaBoy <[email hidden]> wrote in message
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Quoted message said:

"Shaun Rimmer" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
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Quoted message said:

Stephen Baker <[email hidden]> wrote in message
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Quoted message said:

Shaun says:

>Try 'fiancée' - I should know, being one and all.........

heheheheh........

Quoted message said:

>',;~}~

I think _you_ meant "'fiancé"......

Some folks.

;-P

Steve

Nope, I meant ' fiancée ', but forgot to put 'having one and

all',

Quoted message said:

instead of 'being one and all'. Buggeration.

Shaun aRe

Quoted message said:

Holy [censored] man! How about "Girl I am engaged to"!!!???

:-p

What about her?

',;~P

Shaun aRe - Heheheh..........

Well some say she is engaged to me as well, but that remains to be seen, lol.

"Shaun Rimmer" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
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Quoted message said:

TacomaBoy <[email hidden]> wrote in message
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Quoted message said:

"Shaun Rimmer" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
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Quoted message said:

Stephen Baker <[email hidden]> wrote in message
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> Shaun says:
>
> >Try 'fiancée' - I should know, being one and all.........
heheheheh........
> >',;~}~
>
> I think _you_ meant "'fiancé"......
>
> Some folks.
>
> ;-P
>
> Steve

Nope, I meant ' fiancée ', but forgot to put 'having one and

all',

Quoted message said:

instead of 'being one and all'. Buggeration.

Shaun aRe

Quoted message said:

Holy [censored] man! How about "Girl I am engaged to"!!!???

:-p

What about her?

',;~P

Shaun aRe - Heheheh..........

Shaun Rimmer said:

Try 'fiancée' - I should know, being one and all.........

My condolences.

jimbo(san) <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Shaun Rimmer said:

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

Quoted message said:

Shaun says:

>Try 'fiancée' - I should know, being one and all.........

heheheheh........

Quoted message said:

>',;~}~

I think _you_ meant "'fiancé"......

Some folks.

;-P

Steve

Nope, I meant ' fiancée ', but forgot to put 'having one and

all',

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

instead of 'being one and all'. Buggeration.

Shaun aRe

probably the first time I have heard the word fiancee and buggeration in

one

Quoted message said:

scentence ;-D

New a guy that was engaged to this lass that was into........well, lets leave it there..........

Shaun aRe suddenly got the word 'butter' on his mind now for some reason...........

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

Quoted message said:

Shaun Rimmer said:

Try 'fiancée' - I should know, being one and all.........

My condolences.

For her or me? Heheheh!

Oh, and:

What, you hadn't heard John?!? Yup - I'm getting married (posted here about it a while ago), and
can't wait - no date set yet, but soon is a safe bet ',;~}~

Shaun aRe - Who'da thunk it?!?!?!?