Urgent: hardrock sport or similar for under 700... need help

[udi]

Hi guys.

dads got a medibank private bonus and he's got $410 to spend on a bike, and he's prepare to put in about 200 of his own money as well - so $600 for a bike.

He's looking for something agressive XC, and since i'll probably be chucking a leg over as well, i'd like something I could throw down the local light dh trails too. I only weigh 50kg, and he rides rarely, and very gently so no serious worries, but i'd still like a frame that isn't going to snap over the light jumps on the way down.

How much could you pick up a HC sport say at nrg or something? I like specialized, and i've seen hardrocks used for lots of things with reasonable sucess - but if anyones got any better spec'd alternatives for around the 600 dollar mark, spill!

don't comment on the rst forks, they're not the best, but so far im happy with them - and beggars can't be choosers.

Got till the end of december to get it, so i need some info quick. cheers.
-uDi

[jays_5000]

Personally, I would go with a Hardrock or a Mongoose Fireball.

The Mongoose is a pretty sweet bike for what you are paying. Its got a strong frame and comes with the RST Gila t4's.
Don't be put off by the RST's either, they have improved their standards dramatically and the Gila T4 will easily be enough for a beginner like your dad.

[DRUM]

I got my HR comp with Judy's for 700$ from lifecycles i sujjest you rin them up and see if you can get a deal from them... that was 100$ off what the other store was prepared to go :)

[udi]

at the local shop today we checked out the HR XC.. wasnt too bad. If worst comes to worst, i'll (I say i'll because chances are i'll be riding it more than he) end up with the XC, but id like at least a sport which is a nicer frame to build on later.

i've been looking at the HR sport, and sport-disc, but I doubt i'll get the disc for under 700, so the sport (i think) it is.

I'll ring up lifecycle, nrg, and riders as soon as the shops open - riders is a lot more local than the other two to me, but the guys at riders seemed to be dickheads, so I doubt they'll be great with prices either. nrg's supposedly good but a bit far, but if they can do a good bike for a good price, dad'll prolly do the drive.

Mongoose... has sorta swung the departmentstore way lately, and although it doesn't show on all bikes, i'd probably rather go for the speshy... any other reccomendations?

[Mommers]

pffft RST.....i have them on my giant now and they suck! they feel alright but my seals are starting to go leaving oil rings on my stancions. they will prob stay on my bike for another month.

RST's are like nappies, you use them, then throw them away.

[Mommers]

another thing if you are planning to keep your forks for a while (im presuming you are) i reccomend you get them serviced reguarly to keep the seals nice and clean.

[matty_2004]

My pick out of the budjet bikes range would be the specialized hardrock, probably the best value one of them all...

As for RST's you get what you pay for but the ones that come on the bikes your talking are usually Gilas which aren't that bad at all, really good value.

Mommers, yours are fine, the seals are still the same as when you first bought them and they've always left "oil rings" from day one, i really don't agree with you on your complaining so far with the RST's, however, i will agree with getting your forks serviced regularly.

[DRUM]

I went over a "stuntjump" on my hardrock... my warranty is now void :)

[udi]

Dad got a HR XC.

I wanted him to get the hr sport, but he didn't want to spend the extra few bucks - and it doesn't bother me coz im not ridin it, HT's feel crap on the rough and when you screw up a little your a lot more likely to come off. I'll use it for commuting, since its smooth light and fast.

mommers - i'm gonna have to disagree. I've been trail riding and dh'ing, as well as occasionally dropping 2-3ft on my CapaT4 now, and so far so good. I pulled it apart and regreased it yesterday - the oil/grease rings on the stanchions are normal - like matty said, it happens from day one.

dads got a capaT4 too, except a newer one without the full length boots - and theres been grease rings on the stanchys since it was in shop.

[Mommers]

well if your doing 2-3ft drops on the Capa's i cant see them lasting much longer.