what to get.......

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by Jowee
im looking to buy a MTB in the 300 dollar range and i dont know what to get. i was looking at the 2004 Specialized HardRock Sport and the 2004 Trek 4100. i do light trail riding, nothing crazy.
which one is better?
are there any other bikes i should look at in that price range?
any help would be much appreciated!

joey

Here are the HARDROCK sport specs:

FRAME A1 Premium Aluminum, DT/HT 3D box gusset, forged dropouts with reinforced disc mount and eyelets, replaceable forged alloy derailleur hanger, disc only, designed for 100mm travel fork

FORK RST Gilla T4, 100mm travel, preload adjust, Cr-Mo steerer, coil/MCU spring

HEADSET 1 1/8" threadless, sealed loose ball, alloy cap

TAPE / GRIPS Specialized Durango double density Kraton

FRONT BRAKE Tektro "V", linear spring, stainless steel pipe

REAR BRAKE Tektro "V", linear spring, stainless steel pipe

BRAKE LEVERS Shimano Altus

FRONT DERAILLEUR Shimano Acera, 31.8mm clamp, bottom pull

REAR DERAILLEUR Shimano Acera

SHIFT LEVERS Shimano Altus

CASSETTE Shimano HG-50, 8-speed, 11x32t

CHAIN Shimano IG-31

CRANKSET Truvativ ISO-Flow, alloy, capless bolts

CHAINRINGS 42t Cr-Mo x 32t heat-treated Cr-Mo x 22t heat-treated Cr-Mo, replaceable

BOTTOM BRACKET Truvativ, 68x113mm, square taper, sealed cartridge bearing w/ drive side crank stop

RIMS Alex DM-20, 26"x1.5", double wall, machined side wall, black

here iare the TREK 4100 specs:

FRAMESET:
FRAME: Alpha SL aluminum
FORK: InSync 320
WHEELS: Alloy hubs; Matrix 550 rims; 14G ss spokes
SHIFTERS: Shimano EF29
FRONT DERAILLEUR: Shimano C051
REAR DERAILLEUR: Shimano Acera
CRANKSET: SR XCC100 48/38/28
CASSETTE: Shimano HG40 14-34, 7 speed
STEM: Bontrager, 25 degree
HEADSET: Aheadset, semi-cartridge, sealed
BRAKESET: Alloy linear pull w/alloy levers

PLEASE HELP!

Out of those two, i'd go for the Specialized. Nicer components all round, and definately more brandname gear. Checking the specs one by one, i'd say the Specialized would take more of a beating too.

I'd also say the RST fork on the speshy, although far from amazing, would be nicer than the no-name fork on the Trek. Also sports about 30mm more travel.

I also think the speshy looks better, but thats just me...
http://www.specialized.com/OA_MEDIA/2004/bikes/04HardrockSporttislvr_l.jpg

i was thinking the same thing...but i saw the giant Rincon and that looks preety comparable to, not sure though. here are the specs:
2004 Giant Rincon
Specifications:
color Men's: Black/Red, Dark Silver

size M: 14", 17", 19", 21", 23"
frame Supersized ALUXX butted aluminum, w/ intergrated gusset
fork SR/Suntour XC60 suspension w/pre-load adjustment 80mm of travel
derailleur Front: Shimano Acera, Rear: Shimano Alivio
derailleurshifters Shimano EF-29, 8-speed
cranks Giant, 22/32/42T
pedals Steel w/ resin body
handlebar Steel 1.25" riser
stem Giant 1 1/8 Ahead
headset Ahead 1 1/8"
brakes Alloy direct pull w/ power control
saddle Giant Groove Plus, VARIABLE-DENSITY MTB with Kevlar bumpers
seatpost Giant Alloy micro-adjust, 30.8, QR Seat lever
rims Alloy, 32H black w/ brushed sidewall
hubs Alloy,QR, 32H, double seals
tires MTB knobby w/ center ridge 26x2.1
cassette Shimano 11-30T, 8-speed
spokes Stainless Steel 14G

thanks for replying :-D

which eould be better, the giant rincon or the specialized hardrock sport? PLEASE HELP!