EXPIRED - 2009 specialized hardrock sport £249.99 delivered @ Dales Cycles

good bike. good price. Heat added.

I've got the 2008 version. Cracking bike. I needed the 17 inch frame though.

Great bike. I've got this one!! Very strong!! Highly recommend it!!

I'll save all the bike snobs on here some time.........."I wouldn't go out on this a safe bike for occasional or sensible use should cost at least £3000 or else it will most definitely kill you on its first use!" "Whole family's have been known to die just by having one of these lying in the shed!

As for the deal

Emmm ive got a bike cost a couple grand, this things actually really good.
As for bike-snobs, those people are actually the sensible ones.
These are actually the bikes the "bike-snobs" are telling all the numpties that buy ASDA bikes to buy.

Specialized you cant really moan at, as they are available from entry-level all the way up to like 5Grand bikes so generally they know what they are doing.
Besides its from Dales, thats where i got my first Specialized Rockhopper from.
They actually know what they are doing with bikes.
Anyway i got the model last year, not surprised they changed the shape back, the things quite heavy.
This should be a lot better as its trimmed it back a lot, into the old shape a bit.

For a minute there I thought we'd found a bike snob who could also write - then it all started to go wrong again. Keep trying though!

PS Just bought myself a 1965 Moulton - I guess that pre-dates Lycra though so I'm still not eligible to join the 'club'?

PPS Back on topic, this looks like quite a good deal to me, though I've been given to understand that Giant, as the world's biggest bike manufacturer, usually offer the best value at the lower end of the market. True? As a bit of a born-again cyclist I just think they're all great, but often the simpler (and cheaper) the better.

PPPS If you cycle to keep fit isn't a heavy old clunker going to do the job better (just a thought)?

You'd think so.. but lugging a 50lb gaspipe special up a hill is zero fun for anyone, so chances are it'll quickly fade into disuse. You don't need a 5 grand Italian carbon frame bike to get fit, but you do need a bike that you enjoy riding.

I cycle for enjoyment, keeping fit is just a nice added bonus.
With this bike you will get the enjoyement factor, which you wouldnt get from the cheap tat in supermarket bikes.

Giant, i just plain prefer Specialized. IMO they are near bomb-proof, i know, and will stand up to a lot, which others around the same price-range or even higher fail at.

Dont actually know why your arguing, its a good bike.
You seem to have a grudge against some fictional group called "bike-snobs", who are also the very group who would agree this is a good deal.
You just want to argue and created one in your head with other people who agree with you on the point that this is a good deal.
Basically, who are you disagreeing with??

Also dont know if you are having a dig at people who wouldnt ride a 40+ year old bike, or at people who wear lycra??
Since ive never wore lycra in my life, and wouldnt buy a 40+ yr old bike, il take that side.
Why buy a 40+yr old bike, when there are plenty modern ones with all the improvements of 40+ years, if you want to ride it, wow good for you. Seeing people ride recumbents so its not the weirdest thing to see.
A heavy old clunker, wont get me up most the hills, forests and trails iv been on, and it certainly wouldnt get me back down in one piece.
Im not a regular canal path cyclist, so i know this holds up to a lot therefore its a good deal.
I just like my newer one as its lighter and a hell of a lot stronger for the stuff i do. (Most people wouldnt, so dont have to spend anywhere near what i do)
Besides why enter that into this discussion, i dont know what your talking about or what in particular your annoyed at, apart maybe from life itself.

I would not wear Lycra either and I always play foot ball in my suit and swim in my underwear!

Seriously, what is actually wrong with wearing clothing that has been specifically designed to make cycling more comfortable?

I always wear cycle clothing when I am cycling. If I get wet on the way to work, the fabric is dry before I need to put it back on in the evening and it does not flap about when I am riding. It's easy to wear several layers as the season becomes colder and I remain dry and comfortable due to the wicking effect of the material.

Perhaps I am missing something, or is it just 'uncool' to wear the right clothing?

I'm just having a bit of 'sport' as these bicycle threads usually turn into something quite amusing (though humour doesn't always translate very well on the page). I hate deliberate exercise and cycling is one of the few enjoyable ways to get fitter. Cycling to the pub offsets the first half pint and saves the driving licence too!

Looks like a decent bike at a realistic price - already voted hot!

What is the view of Giant re the value point?

You should take a look at this. I know it's a Carrera and the the bike snobs will turn their noses up at it. But it really is a great spec bike for the price, hydraulic brakes too!

http://www.hotukdeals.com/item/50359...c-ltd-was-529-

If anyone does have a 5 grand Italian carbon fibre fame in their shed that they don't want I'll swap for an old giant frame ;)

I own this bike in 2006 guise, but we also have a £40 bike in the household for the 20 miles annually that the 11 year old does. Some people cannot grasp that a £40 bike is fit for that purpose. -And it is safe for that purpose too.

Let battle commence!

Certainly not a bike snob but one of the sensible people who says not to buy any full suspension bike for under £500-800 and certainly not a Hardtail mtb (not road) for less than £300 BUT this is a sale and not a useless (in terms of mountain/trails bike) i.e. ASDA bike.
Specialized bike is a good deal, I got the 2009 Rockhopper for £400 - thats a deal Price matched at Evans as always ;)