I caved in...

[Learnincurve]

...and bought a 2009 specialized hardrock sport with the V brakes. 17 inch, about 13kg/28lb
http://www.bikepedia.com/quickbike/...nd=Specialized&Model=Hardrock Sport&Type=bike for £175

The tires have been changed at some point but the stock were puncture magnets so this does not surprise me. I can't see any wear on any cassettes or the bike in general only shed dust, Only thing that worries me is the complaints about the bike online are all about front fork collecting water if the bike goes though puddles and whatnot.

Supposed to arrive on wednesday.

 

[Learnincurve]

Yay, it's here. The tyres are absolutely knackard though, they are some off brand £5.99 special and desperately need replacing, the inner tubes also different valve types, fork is fine. Going to take it out tomorrow on the gravel with several inner tubes and within walking distance of my house. Have some Schwalbe Rapid Rob 26 x 2.10 on order from wiggle. The only reason I'm going 2.10 over larger is because that's the upper limit on my spare inner tubes.

 

[young Ed]

sounds good, the hot rock should get you going and hopefully hooked
goodluck!
Cheers Ed

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

Welcome to the crowd...hope you enjoy it as much as we have enjoyed our rockhoppers

I was lucky enough to pick up a Spech Rockhopper SL 2011 model for £225 around 18 months ago for myself and another one Spech Rockhopper SL Pro 2010 model for £250 for my OH around 4 months ago. Both needed a little work (mine needed a partially seized calliper sorting out & my OH's needed new tyres after he murdered them and has since needed a new spoke as well - his is also on different valve types front & rear as well!) but they have been great fun...

 

[Crackle]

Have fun

 

[Saluki]

Excellent choice. I have an 09 Hardrock too and it's a great bike. You'll have a great time on it. I changed my tyres out for Schwalbe Land cruisers and they have been excellent so far. Fine on trails and not quite so filling-rattling on tarmac.

 

[Learnincurve]

The land cruisers are fantastic, I put some on my dad's hybrid and they were great on both road and gravel. I was in half a mind to get them for the mtb but I need more of a gravel/light off road tyre for the summer.

 

[Gravity Aided]

Rebuilding a Hardrock for winter myself, I was given one after the folks who had it before me tried to fix it and were unable to. My work's cut out for me, some wheel truing and derailleur tweaking and brake demystifying should set all shipshape and Norfolk Fashion.

 

[philtalksbx]

Careful - sorting out Hardrocks can become addictive.
My 2010 basic is doing the Trigger's broom thing.
Swapped the forks (twice) and put on hydraulic discs (awesome).
Maxxis Crossmark have been great summer tyres.
Thinking about the gear set and finding an inexpensive way to go 1x10 next.
Hope you get as much fun as I have from mine.