Ok, I need some quick MTB buying help!

What fits best!! The second bike is for you, or someone else? If else, how do the bike(s) fit them. Otherwise, they are all (standard RH, Yukon, 4300, GF Marlin) pretty much the same thing, except for thr RH with the Hayes brakes. That one is a plus. But, you already know that.

fishNbike said:

What fits best!! The second bike is for you, or someone else? If else, how do the bike(s) fit them. Otherwise, they are all (standard RH, Yukon, 4300, GF Marlin) pretty much the same thing, except for thr RH with the Hayes brakes. That one is a plus. But, you already know that.

Ok, I just returned from the bike shop. I paid the $650 for the RH Comp Disc after taking a good test ride. This one:

Then I began to work on a bike for my son. We began with an 07 Hardrock Sport Disc for $450. Then I spotted another HR in a different spot in the shop, and it turned out to be this one - 2006 Hardrock Sport Disc:

After some hard negotiating, I got him to come down from $449 to $400, then with some cash waiving and talk of me looking elsewhere, he came down to the $350 I was hoping for. To me, it seems like a great deal, and my son test rode and loved it. Now, you guys, the experts, tell me if I did well please!

Now a new wrinkle has emerged. I spoke with my LBS guy and he informed me that on the ever-mysterious dealers-only invoice of available bikes, he saw about 100 or so 2006 Hardrock Pro bikes, available for about $650, and he could get me one of those for $550 if I wanted it instead of the Hardrock Sport Disc mentioned above. He assured me it was a better bike, and from what I've read he's right. But is it worth the extra $200 to move up from the Sport to the Pro? Comments please...

[quote="Seattle18"]Now a new wrinkle has emerged. I spoke with my LBS guy and he informed me that on the ever-mysterious dealers-only invoice of available bikes, he saw about 100 or so 2006 Hardrock Pro bikes, available for about $650, and he could get me one of those for $550 if I wanted it instead of the Hardrock Sport Disc mentioned above. He assured me it was a better bike, and from what I've read he's right. But is it worth the extra $200 to move up from the Sport to the Pro? Comments please...

[font=Comic Sans MS] The site no longer shows the specs on the sport,so its difficult to see actual component benefits.The pro has a pro disk and the pro shown with v brakes,identical bikes except for brake choiceand front shock,Although the specs for the pro say the front shock has no Bosses for the v brakes,so does it come with this shock or not?Recon 351SL Air (disc only, no brake bosses) 100mm, Motion Control Damping, 1-1/8" Alloy Steer, 32mm alloy stanchion, lock out and rebound adjust[/font]
[font=Comic Sans MS]So it comes down to the front shock on the sport and the pro,does the shock on the sport offer lock out?[/font]
If IT DOES I'D PROBABLLY GO WITH THE SPORT.

[quote="HowardSteele"]

Seattle18 said:

Now a new wrinkle has emerged. I spoke with my LBS guy and he informed me that on the ever-mysterious dealers-only invoice of available bikes, he saw about 100 or so 2006 Hardrock Pro bikes, available for about $650, and he could get me one of those for $550 if I wanted it instead of the Hardrock Sport Disc mentioned above. He assured me it was a better bike, and from what I've read he's right. But is it worth the extra $200 to move up from the Sport to the Pro? Comments please...

[font=Comic Sans MS] The site no longer shows the specs on the sport,so its difficult to see actual component benefits.The pro has a pro disk and the pro shown with v brakes,identical bikes except for brake choiceand front shock,Although the specs for the pro say the front shock has no Bosses for the v brakes,so does it come with this shock or not?Recon 351SL Air (disc only, no brake bosses) 100mm, Motion Control Damping, 1-1/8" Alloy Steer, 32mm alloy stanchion, lock out and rebound adjust[/font]
[font=Comic Sans MS]So it comes down to the front shock on the sport and the pro,does the shock on the sport offer lock out?[/font]
If IT DOES I'D PROBABLLY GO WITH THE SPORT.

Ok! the Avid mech disk breaks are really good,If i was going cable instead of hydrolic it would be to Avid.We don't get the tektro disk break here so i can't judge them,however the tektro v brakes are your cheaper Brand(so i asume the disks are aswell?).The forks are close enough in specs not to debate about.The problem with a bike comming out with disks,that you are then pretty much stuck with disk brakes,you'll see on this site many discussions on pro's and cons.Here in Cape tOWN to upgrade to avid disks would certainlly cost more than 200$.
Ok i,d go for the Pro and spoil the kid.😄

[font='Times New Roman']
[font=Comic Sans MS]Hey were waiting curiously here, what did you settle on? The Sport with a promise of upgrades for Christmas, or the pro?[/font][/font]

Ok, here's what I've decided upon. I paid in full for the RockHopper Comp Disc ($650 w/ Hayes Nines), and ordered the HardRock Pro Disc for my son ($550). I have a tendency to buy more expensive things than I really need, and this seems to be no exception. But my general philosophy is that you get what you pay for, and as long as I am getting excellent quality for my dollar, I'm happy with spending a little extra. Besides, if for some reason our new hobby/sport doesn't take, we will have a couple of higher value bikes with better resaleability!

Regardless, my son and I are both very excited about these bikes, and we can't wait to get started. We found a Labor Day sale at REI where they have Bell Furio helmets on sale from $60 down to $44, so we plan on picking up a couple of those, and maybe some riding gloves (any suggestions?).

As for riding shorts - I saw some boxer-type things you wear under normal shorts. Are these any good? Do they offer rash protection the same as full-on riding shorts, or is there a better way to go? Further, do we even need shorts at this point, or should we hold off a month or so?

Lastly, let me thanks every one of you for your insight. I am a Moderator on a BlackBerry forum, and I deal with newbies all the time, and sometimes it gets frustrating answeriung the same easy questions, as I'm sure you guys know. But you have all been patient and very helpful with my ignorance, so thanks a bunch.

[font=Comic Sans MS]EXCELLENT🙂 , Hope you get hours of mtnbing around your area.[/font]

[font=Comic Sans MS]Gloves are a must, you have a choice of short finger and longfingered, Both prevent hand numbness for me the long fingered gloves work best, I use mid price range, and a pair lasts anything from 6 months to a year.[/font]

[font=Comic Sans MS]Cycling shorts are definably a must, the padding besides absorbing perspiration that causes chaffing pads that saddle that can be hell on your but when you first start ridding. Personally i just use cycling shorts i don’t worry about, MTB shorts or padded undershorts, YOU get used to the bulge. I ride nearly everyday so i have about 4 pairs so while some are still in the wash i have a clean pair.[/font]

[font=Comic Sans MS]Your bike if i remember correctly comes with spd's clip in pedals so you'll need shoes as well.[/font]

[font=Comic Sans MS]Scan the past posts these topics come up regularly[/font]

[font='Times New Roman'][font=Comic Sans MS]Happy biking[/font][/font]