Pedal bike advice

Buck

Buck

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Hi guys

I know it's a photography forum but I know a few of you love your pedal power so thought I'd be OK to ask here.

Basically, I'm looking to get a bike for myself (not had one for many many years)

Hoping to go out as a family (SWMBO and two sons - 10yo and 7yo) but also looking forward to spending some time with my eldest 1:1 on some trails nearby as well as an occasional ride out with friends.

Eldest has just got an adult mountain bike and I've been looking at Specialized after a few recommendations.

I am down to a choice of two either the Hardrock Sport Disc 29er which is a mountain bike or the Crosstrail Comp Disc which is a hybrid.

TBH at this point I'm confused/unsure?

My thinking is that the Hardrock Sport Disc is obviously a MTB and will I find that it is not too good on relatively easy trails and occasional road use?

To make the decision harder, they also had the Crosstrail Comp bike reduced by a big chunk as it is last years model - it is obviously a hybrid but to my untrained eye seems very close in set up to the Hardrock but with some better spec items.

Obviously I don't want to regret buying the wrong one - will the MTB be overkill or will the hybrid be neither roadbike nor MTB?!

My million pound question is, whether it is worth spending another £50 on the crosstrail and will it give me better value in the long run. (I know its a subjective question but would be interested in people's experiences / feedback)

Thanks again
 
good few bikers on here, theres even a big "pedal power" thread :)

specialized are a good brand. any reason for going 29er/big wheel? a hybrid will be suited for more flat trails, i.e forestry commision packed gravel, rather than off road.

have you checked out CRC jan sales at all? or considered 2nd hand?
 
Depends what you're planning to use it for really. The Hardrock will be better if you're planning to do some proper mountain bike trails with rocks, drop offs etc, but if it's more likely to get used on tarmac or easy offroad tracks, canal towpaths and that sort of thing then you'de be better off with the crosstrail.

Looking at the spec of both of the bikes the crosstrail has better quality shifters, derailleurs and cranks, so I'd probably go for that. The crosstrail will probably be lighter too, and could be made more capable offroad pretty easily by changing the tyres if you find yourself using it on trails more than on tarmac.
 
Hi Neil

The 29 is now becoming standard for Specialized (speaking to my local bike shop) and no major reason other than "that's what it comes with"

I've looked at CRC and others and yes, have looked at second hand too - trying to find one in good condition for reasonable money and local to me is the challenge - there is a (virtually brand new) Hardrock for sale not too far from me that might come up trumps if he can show me proof of purchase as I'm always a bit nervous about buying a stolen one!

I think my challenge is that the hybrid has muddies the waters for me - it seems so similar to the hardrock but I know its not.

One option a friend gave was to get the hardrock then if I found I was using it for more road cycling or less demanding trails to put some different tyres on it?
 
mrodgers said:
Depends what you're planning to use it for really. The Hardrock will be better if you're planning to do some proper mountain bike trails with rocks, drop offs etc, but if it's more likely to get used on tarmac or easy offroad tracks, canal towpaths and that sort of thing then you'de be better off with the crosstrail.

Looking at the spec of both of the bikes the crosstrail has better quality shifters, derailleurs and cranks, so I'd probably go for that. The crosstrail will probably be lighter too, and could be made more capable offroad pretty easily by changing the tyres if you find yourself using it on trails more than on tarmac.
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thanks - was replying to Neil as you typed up yours. Good advice
 
Buck said:
Hi Neil

The 29 is now becoming standard for Specialized (speaking to my local bike shop) and no major reason other than "that's what it comes with"
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hmm, not strictly true.. its an option these days but its certainly not becoming standard, manufacturers are rolling out both regular 26 and 29/650 theyd be daft to drop the 26 completely as there are a lot of haters. i think they may just be trying to shift some stock there..

I think my challenge is that the hybrid has muddies the waters for me - it seems so similar to the hardrock but I know its not.
Click to expand...

a hybrid will be built to take less off road and abuse. it depends really what sort of trails and how hard you ride.

One option a friend gave was to get the hardrock then if I found I was using it for more road cycling or less demanding trails to put some different tyres on it?
Click to expand...

yup. knobbly tyres can be an energy drain on tarmac/hard surface, you could switch to a semi tyre.
 
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neil_g said:
hmm, not strictly true.. its an option these days but its certainly not becoming standard. i think they may just be trying to shift some stock there..
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On their brochure/website the entry models now come with 26 but the mid/uppers all seem to be 29s?

My bike shop is pretty good and they'll have to order one in for me as they don't have my size in stock.


I'm certainly not going to be jumping off rocks etc at this stage (if ever!) so I don't think I'm going to really push it to the limits (more like it'll be me that reaches my limit first!)
 
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I'm guessing that tyres are not too expensive and swapping them over wouldn't be a major hassle if I knew that I was going off road this weekend but say next weeken planned on doing more of a road route?

this might be an option?
 
the latest trend in XC is 29ers its supposed to stop your wheel getting stuck in small holes etc, i think thats why a lot of their top end hard tails have gone that way. the rest of the sport has pretty much stuck with 26, especially full sus'ers.

the hardrock disk is also available in 26 if you hadnt already seen - http://www.specialized.com/gb/gb/bikes/mountain/hardrock/hardrockdisc26

:)
 
Yes, tyres are pretty easy to change. Decent quality tyres tend to be about £20 each, although I'm not sure if offroad 29" tyres might be a bit more as they're less common at the moment.
 
Buck said:
I'm guessing that tyres are not too expensive and swapping them over wouldn't be a major hassle if I knew that I was going off road this weekend but say next weeken planned on doing more of a road route?

this might be an option?
Click to expand...

yeah a 26 semi tyre will set you back around £30/set. pretty much all wheels are quick release these days. 29 i cant see any semis on CRC.
 
Well I think I may have got this sorted.

I've found a one month old Hardrock 2013 model in mint condition for a good chunk off the new price.

I'm off to see it (and hopefully buy it) over the weekend.


Thanks for all your help and advice - :thumbs:
 
First off I would say make sure its the right sized bike and set up for you, brand names today are pretty much red car blue car, different sticker but same welds.
Boardman being an exception though, the build quality is obviously different.

Also being near Huddesfield look up the Trans Pennine Way.

Its mostly disguised railway lines so no traffic and a lot is either well pounded gravel or surfaced so its ideally quiet and safe to go out for a day with the little ones :)

Tyres, brakes etc,,,,, meh depends on you, I agree for a mix bag your better going for skinny off road tyres and front suspension, less weight and drag.
 
I wouldn't get a full on mountain bike with discs and suspension if you are just gonna ride trails and parks etc.. They're heavy the gearing is wrong for general use, and not much fun to ride over distances. I ride specialize there good bikes but you can get a tidy mike for a lot less. Something like this decathlon btwin riverside £250 with 5yr frame warranty (which are built by giant apparently) Like someone mentioned earlier much more important is that you get fitted properly.
 
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Have to agree with Robert. Spending the sort of money you're thinking of you'll get a lot more bike for the money if you look at a hard-tail rather than a full suspension frame.
 
BarryDawsib said:
First off I would say make sure its the right sized bike and set up for you, brand names today are pretty much red car blue car, different sticker but same welds.
Boardman being an exception though, the build quality is obviously different.

Also being near Huddesfield look up the Trans Pennine Way.

Its mostly disguised railway lines so no traffic and a lot is either well pounded gravel or surfaced so its ideally quiet and safe to go out for a day with the little ones :)

Tyres, brakes etc,,,,, meh depends on you, I agree for a mix bag your better going for skinny off road tyres and front suspension, less weight and drag.
Click to expand...

Hi Barry

I tried this bike in the bike shop and it fitted really well - I'm not the tallest and on some I tried I felt as though I was really stretching to reach the handle bar but on the above it felt a good fit all round

We've been on the Trans-pennine trail (we live near Penistone) and now the boys are older they're off so we need bikes to keep up with them!

rjbell said:
I wouldn't get a full on mountain bike with discs and suspension if you are just gonna ride trails and parks etc.. They're heavy the gearing is wrong for general use, and not much fun to ride over distances. I ride specialize there good bikes but you can get a tidy mike for a lot less. Something like this decathlon btwin riverside £250 with 5yr frame warranty (which are built by giant apparently) Like someone mentioned earlier much more important is that you get fitted properly.
Click to expand...

TriggerHappy said:
Have to agree with Robert. Spending the sort of money you're thinking of you'll get a lot more bike for the money if you look at a hard-tail rather than a full suspension frame.
Click to expand...

Thanks guys

The one I have gone for is front suspension only as I don't think I need the full suspension set up as you say - overkill for my needs.

The MTB is actually lighter than the hybrid which I was surprised at!

At the price I'm paying (near your quote above) I think I've got myself a great deal and if I develop as a MTBer or a Road Cyclist I can always upgrade but don't want to be all the gear and no idea at the same time I don't want to get a cheap bike that'll just frustrate me and lead me to spending more £££ sooner than I would like.

:thumbs:
 
Thanks all - I went for a 2nd hand Hardrock (as above) in the end. Had it checked for fit etc. by my local bike shop and all good.

Saved £200 off new price and this one is "as new" and only two months old :)

LBS can get me the semi-slicks for £40 the pair so will try it on its current tyres first and swap out if needs be.

Went for a ride on Sunday - loved it!
 
Glad you've made a choice you're happy with! Now to get out and about and do the fun bit chewing up the muddy miles :D
 
Looking forward to it!

I've realised this'll be another expensive hobby!
 
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