New MTB - Specialized Hardrock - Other suggestions? Help me find for cheap?

[furnace]

I can summarise this whole post in three sentences for those of you with a small amount of time:

I have an Apollo Vendetta which isn't nice to ride - so I want to get a new bike. I'm looking at the Specialized Hardrock Sport Disc which can be had for aroudn £300. What's your opinion on this bike, do you have any alternative suggestions for the same money (or less), and can you find this bike any cheaper than £300?

This is the bike:
http://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp?spid=22092


For those of you who have a bit more time to spare, here's a more full featured explanation!

Currently I have an Apolla Vendetta (as pictured in dogoids sig). It's "OK", but heavy as hell, and made from some cheap stuff - e.g. my chain pinged off a while back and completely bent the front mech! I had to use pliers to bend it back into a shape that changed gears properly. Also the wheels appear a bit buckled and I haven't done anything that bad on it.. So I'm looking for something a bit lighter and a bit better built.

Also, I'm looking for a bike without rear suspension - it will be lighter and won't suck up my pedal power when going up hills

I'm looking at a 2007 Specialized Hardrock Sport Disc. The cheapest I can find this is just under £300 all inclusive (£298.89). I presume this will at least be a better build quality than my Apollo, even if they're only basic cable discs... But I don't know much about bikes at all - I just know how to ride them!

This is really the max I'm willing to spend unless there are some big gains for the extra money.

The kind of riding I do is casual cross-country with a mate. This is a ~2 hour bike ride which we do 9/10 times we go out:

You can see the route for yourself here:
http://www.flashearth.com/?lat=50.849166&lon=-0.399495&z=15.6&r=0&src=ggl

So! Any opinions on this bike, alternative suggestions, or cheap finds on this bike, are muchos appreciated

Thanks

 

[Youstolemyname]

great bike for the money but has more of a downhill geometry than an x/c one. I have the non disk hardrock sport and find the riding position slightly awkward when doing x/c but its perfect for off-roading up and down the hilly pinewoods by my house. I am 6ft and have a 19 inch frame.

My advice would be to nip to your local bike shop and try some out. Find one that is comfy within your budget, then order it from the net saving £££

 

[furnace]

Yeah it's probably best that I get down to a local store and have a go on the bikes I'm 5ft 11" so I'd probably be looking at a 19" too... I'll see what's comfy in the shop!

For another £50 I can get a "SPECIALIZED HARDROCK COMP DISC 08". That's a newer model, and I think "comp" ranks higher than "sport" in the world of Specialized bikes? Or not? Would that be worth the extra £50? There's also XC versions which I gather would suit cross country a bit better.

 

[Youstolemyname]

I went for 'last years' model when I got mine as it came out a lot cheaper than the current model. Only difference in specs was the paint job.

Comp does rank higher but why not see if you cant get a good '07 model first?

 

[PlatinumFX]

My advice would be to nip to your local bike shop and try some out. Find one that is comfy within your budget, then order it from the net saving £££

I think thats despicable behaviour.

If you buy it from the shop, you have a lifelong source of support, the possibility of discounts on some accessories and your supporting a local business rather than costing them time and effort (which equals money) only to buy elsewhere!