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04 Hardrock durability

8K views 36 replies 21 participants last post by  londonlad 
#1 ·
I built up a hardrock out of spare parts and this frame seems to be holding up to a lot of abuse. Anyone know what its intended purpose is and what its limitations are? I'm really impressed with this bike and can't get over how cheap I got it for!
 
#2 ·
If it's anything like my friend's hardrock it's intended purpose seems to be as an entry level bomb-proof mountain bike. The frame isn't chi-chi light but it is strong enough to handle just about anything you can dish out as a beginner. The stock components are pretty low end but it's a good enough frame to be worth the inevitable upgrades.
 
#4 ·
I am kind of questioning this as well, I have a 03 HR pro, and am pretty hard on it, but it has done well. I only weigh 130, so I guess that helps.

Has anyone noticed how closely the 04 HR resembles the Norco line of shore HT's? I know their bikes use the FSR, so could there be any realation?

later
 
#5 ·
The Hardrock is a basic begginer's bike with a bent toward urban riding. The frame is definately overbuilt for XC but does very well in the dirt. My wife did a test ride on one last spring and fell in love with the frame fit. So I picked it up for here. The drive train, wheels, fork, and brakes were all replaced with XT, Manitou, and Avid. I had most of the stuff laying around in the spare parts box. It's been a great bike for here and has taken a beating. For a total cost of about $550 I can't complain at all! I'd classify it as a heavy duty XC frame.

Good Dirt
 
#6 ·
I got my Hardrock Comp 2 years ago as my first bike. I have since went to an FSR but I wouldn't get rid of that HR for anything. It's been converted into a snow bike now. I am a clyde at 225lbs. and the only thing I replaced was the bottom bracket. Trust me, I put it through some bad crashes my first year on the trails and it held up great.
 
#8 ·
Not very cool, but a pic.

This was my first mtb. It's no different than the day I bought it except for the new bb I mentioned earlier. I bought it simply to see if I would like this sport without breaking the bank. It worked! I will probably always keep this bike. It's more or less my urban assault vehicle/snow plow now.
 

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#14 ·
I own an '01 Hardrock Comp, which was the top model for that year, and I've had great luck with it. I picked it up on year-end clearance and got an excellent deal, and I've added quite a few upgrades to it.

It's my first 'real' mt bike, and I think I picked a good one. It's still my main off roader, and the only problem I've had was the seatpost clamp getting screwed up. I don't do huge hucks or anything, but sometimes I'll take it around campus and do some mini-urban with 1'-2' drops. It gets beat up on the trail, and always comes through ok. I'd recommend the bike to anyone.

Current setup is as shown, with a Duke XC, Avid disc in front, Deore disc/Rhyno Lite wheelset, Easton CT-2 carbon seatpost, Titec bars, Michelin Front S/XL S tires. Next up are a new casette and maybe a crankset, depending on the condition of the gear teeth.

 
#16 ·
my '03 HR pro

It was my first mtb. Had no idea what I was looking for. If I would have known then what I know now, I would have bought an already equiped bike, Ive upgraded everything but the rims and fork. I put raceface turbine cranks and a dues stem, thomson seat post, and XT deuralers. with all that I could have bought a stumpjumper, But oh well this bike fits awsome, It feels great, I can climb very well with it, But then I discovered freeride. so now its my trainer for the winter and do mostly road rides with it. Ill keep it for XC when my Big Hit is to much for some of the other trails that we ride after work, all the others are to far away and are saved for the weekend. I could go on and on about pro's and con's about this bike, bottom line is thats its a great bike, now.
 
#18 ·
I got a 04 HARDROCK COMP

IM a MTB noob. freshly burt out on R/C Car racing.... I got this bike to get me in to Mountain Bikin. So far its held up pretty good.. i think i had a defective bottom bracket cause it hella squeaked, but the bike shop replaced it for no charge.....I Have had it for about 5 months now... Just got C mallet peddals and starten to have some fun... I have jumped it a lil on some of the trails and its held up to the punishment i have givin it... BTW im 6-3 250Lbs So I would say that its a tough bike!!!!

-eddy
 
#26 · (Edited)
Hardrock

Bakayaro said:
Thanks cleanslate. Your red tires/frame look pretty slick. Which of your upgrades did you find made the biggest difference weight-wise and performance-wise? I'm looking at all the different configurations and trying to figure out what would be good for me.
best performance enhancer for me has been the fork. I switched from the stock elastomer judy TT to the marz mx pro w/eta which is an air w/ oil fork. Man I couldn't believe the difference in the ride. Changing the stem to a lwer rising stem and a lower rising narrower bar help with comfort and control, it seems to lay me out on the bike more. I would say the biggest weight cutter probably has been the XT Drive (mega 9 and Xt crank) upgrade. when I got the bike stock it weighed ~30.0lbs which is kinda beastly. I trimmed about 3 lbs off. not too bad I guess. I will be going to a carbon fiber seat post and a mor stream lined seat soon, which should cut about 1 lb. the tires are also about .250 lbs lighter than the stock enduro tires. I like the wheel on yours alot and I would like to go to disc, what kind of discs are on yours?
 
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