I’m getting back in shape….blah blah blah. My ancient mountain bike is a Nishiki that I got for about $180 about 6 years ago with a hard tail and hard front…lol. No major problems or replacements in all that time shows I’m not too hard on bikes. Jumping off curbs is huge for me. But, I have started riding a lot more lately and will place 40-50 miles a week on the bike path and dirt trails. I need a bike that will provide a excellent time on the trails and make sure it wont break down on the way to work. I’m looking at either the Diamondback Response XE (w/disc brakes) from Dick’s Sporting Goods for $300 or the Specialized Hardrock Disc for $400 on sale at my local bike shop. Bike shop has customer service and excellent info. They will tune it up and provide maintenance for a year FREE! Is the Specialized bike value the difference?
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You questioned, “They will tune it up and provide maintenance for a year FREE! Is the Specialized bike value the difference?”
Is it value the difference to you? I bought my Raleigh hybrid from one particular dealer since they offer free adjustments/maintenance for LIFE! See link below. Normally, I would be a huge fan of the Diamondback/Raleigh name. (Same company) But not when it’s sold through a huge box store. I simply don’t trust huge box supplies to assemble a bike correctly.
Try both bikes. Ride them. I mean an extensive test ride. Whichever one feels best to you would be the one – tossing out the maintenance policy. If they both feel right – go with the maintenance plot. I would. Just my 2 cents value.
The specialized hard rock is a better bike all around and 400 with a free year of maintenance is a fantastic deal. i would stay away from the diamondback as i reflect that modal is still using a free wheel not a free hub. meaning it is much simpler to bend the axle(and that can also bend the dropout). and the specialized has a better fork as well.
have fun riding
specialized by far