It has to be said that this bike is made purely for racing and of course this means that it is going to be very light, fantastic to handle, and offer you a selection of gears to make those uphill or downhill sections that bit easier. As you would expect, this particular range will only ever use the best of equipment and the end result is a bike that is simply fantastic.

As you may expect with a bike that costs this much it does come with a carbon fiber body and as you will already know this makes it not only exceptionally light, but also extremely strong and sturdy meaning it can withstand so much punishment without being damaged. The forks on this particular bike are also made from carbon and as like the frame it is capable of withstanding a lot of pressure, but you know that they are stiff enough and strong enough and will not simply snap due to the fact that this basically is a professional road bike.

This bike does also come in varying heights of frames, so even if you are above average height there should be no problem in finding one that fits you perfectly. This does mean that you should be able to get the correct riding position that will make you aerodynamic enough to cut through the air while still being able to deliver all of that power to get you along the road.

The final things to mention with this particular Specialized bike is that clearly the brakes are top quality so you can slow down and stop in a controlled manner rather than them coming on too hard and you simply losing control. Another thing that you may like to know about is that even the tyres themselves are more hi-tec than you would be used to having elsewhere as they do come with puncture protection, which means that it is harder to burst them and they should not simply just explode should you hit something on the road meaning you can slow down by yourself and fix it rather than being surprised by a puncture.

In short, this particular bike is aimed more at the serious cyclist and people that love to take part in actual races. The bike is extremely well balanced, it is very light and stiff, it handles unbelievably well, and overall you will feel the quality should you be lucky enough to ride one. Yes it may be expensive, but you get what you pay for and in this instance you get one of the best road bikes currently on the market.

This particular range is perfect for those people that love to go off-road in the country or even push themselves to extremes in race stages in the great outdoors and to understand why we need to look at areas such as the suspension. By doing this, you will see that you get 165mm of FSR suspension giving you a comfortable ride with it able to absorb so much punishment without any problems. This is then backed up by the bike being made of either carbon fiber or a lightweight alloy depending on the one you choose, but both options means that you will have a lightweight bike that is strong and sturdy and capable of handling every situation.

Other things to look out for with this range that sets it above all of the others out there includes the fact that they do come with professional brakes that stop you in a shorter distance, but still in a controlled way and not too suddenly that it then causes problems. You will also notice that the gear changes on these bikes are a lot smoother than ever before and you do actually get the gear that you selected every single time rather than being surprised by it and struggling to keep going. Finally, the crankset is also made from carbon and it comes with a guard to prevent it from being damaged when in the toughest of terrain, so not only is your bike well made, but it is also designed in such a way to limit damage to it.

Finally, it has to be said that this particular bike is very agile and extremely responsive when it comes to handling and it does make you feel as if you are in total control no matter how tough the terrain is at that moment. The grips on the handlebars are also very comfortable, so your hands will not simply tire or hurt when riding, so it is fair to say that Specialized have looked at every aspect of the bike in detail resulting in a simply fantastic machine.

To conclude, yes these bikes are indeed very expensive and they are perhaps just for the more serious rider rather than somebody that goes out every now and then, but there is no doubt that they are exceptionally well made and do indeed justify their price. This bike can go anywhere you want and can take you there with some degree of comfort with you constantly being aware of the fact that you have a fantastic machine under you that will be able to withstand the harshest of conditions and still come out the other side.

The first thing you should know is that there are several types of Crosstrail available from Specialized as you can choose from the Pro Disc, Elite Disc, Comp Disc, Sport Disc, and finally the plain version. The reason why there are several different styles is in the name of the types because different people on the same terrain need different technology depending on the speed they are going at, so at least you know that there will be the right bike for you out there.

However, as you check out the different types you will notice that they do all come with an aluminum frame making them light, but still strong enough to take some punishment without any problems. You will also generally find that the forks are pretty much the same in the different types of Crosstrail bike along with the same handlebars and grips on all of the models since all of these parts are pretty much standard. There are, however, some differences to be aware of across the range as will now be explained.

One of the main areas where you will notice a difference is in the braking system because even though they may very well be the same size they do tend to switch between Shimano brakes and Magura MTS hydraulic brakes with these examples being better in different terrain. There will also be slight differences in the stem of the bike because even though they may all be made from a forged alloy you will be able to alter it to different degrees depending on the model.

Apart from this, the tyres are the same, the saddle is comfortable on any model and more importantly the overall ride is good no matter which one you buy. The main thing is to look at how serious you are about getting on your bike and how rough the terrain has to be, and how often you will need to slam on those brakes, and if you are unsure, then it makes perfect sense to talk to somebody with more knowledge than you who can guide you through this range of Specialized bikes to help you with your decision because they are not cheap and you certainly do not want to go and buy the wrong one at the start.

In short, if you are looking for an all purpose bike that is capable of getting you over all kinds of terrain, then this is certainly the one that you should consider buying because at least you know that thanks to it having the Specialized name that it really will be a quality bike. Yes there are cheaper versions out there, but the chances of this one lasting longer are very high indeed and it does also look quite cool going around with the name Specialized on the side of your bike.

First, it is important to point out that this really is a road bike rather than a mountain bike, but it does offer you an interesting combination in that it does also combine the best part of a road bike along with those of a flat bar with this resulting in a rather cool finished article. This does of course mean that this bike is going to be very light and easy to handle because on the road having a nimble bike really will make a huge difference.

When it comes to the actual frame, then you will generally have a choice between a light alloy or carbon, but clearly the carbon is going to be the most expensive out of the two. You will also notice that the number of gears that you get will also vary depending on the model with them varying between 18 and 27 to make it easier for you getting up the steepest of climbs on the road.

Apart from the frame, you will also notice that they generally use light aluminum forks and indeed every part of this bike is made in such a way so as there is as little extra weight as possible. These models do also come with a straight handlebar instead of the normal racing style that you will be familiar with and this does give you a much better riding position that will result in you feeling more comfortable on the bike for prolonged periods of time.

So what is it like to use on a regular basis? The short answer to this is that it is fantastic no matter if you even just use it to get to work and it has to be said that each model does also look quite cool and it just screams out as being a quality bike. Everything has been very well put together on this range from the way it absorbs some bumps on the road, to smooth gear changes, and it does always just feel so well balanced even for a novice that does not really know too much about what to look for in a serious road bike.

In short, this bike is certainly going to be perfect for anybody that is serious about either getting fit by doing some road cycling or those wanting to get involved in some basic competition and need a reliable bike to do so. There may very well be cheaper models out there right now, but with Specialized you at least know that you will be buying a bike that is well made, will offer you smooth gear changes, a smooth ride, and offer you a fantastic experience and all of this does mean that it is a bike that you are advised to go and buy.

This particular range is suitable for anybody no matter if they are just cycling to work or wish to hit the great outdoors and the best part is that you are going to always look cool when doing it. This bike will be available in both 29 inch and 26 inch versions and it is best to now look at what else it can offer you to help to decide if this really is the right bike for you.

First, it does come with a lightweight alloy frame, but do not think that just because it is lightweight that it is fragile as that really is not the case at all. Instead, the alloy is strong and capable of withstanding a lot of punishment without anything going wrong, but it does make a difference when it weighs next to nothing as it means you can move it around easier and are not dragging as much weight when going uphill.

Next, you will also notice that it has suspension forks on both wheels and this does mean that it is going to absorb a lot of energy when you are riding with this making it a more comfortable experience and you will also be able to maintain more control over the bike due to not shaking all over the place. This comfort is then extended to the design and positioning of the handlebars as well as the grips as your hands will not slide off them and due to the angle your arms will also not tire the same when riding the bike.

Overall you should find that the Hardrock is a pleasant enough bike to ride with smooth gear changes, brakes that make you feel as if you are in control of stopping rather than hoping for the best, and the bike itself just feels very well balanced when you are on it. Specialized have certainly made a good job of getting the weight right with this bike and finally the tyres themselves are chunky, but not over the top and you just know that they will give you the grip you are looking for even if you are off road.

So if you are looking for a mountain bike that can be used basically everywhere, then it is worth checking out this range from Specialized as there is no doubt that you will be happy with the bike and it will certainly last you for a number of years without any problems. This bike is lightweight, sturdy, well built, and offers you a great degree of comfort when riding it, so if you love the idea of trying to get fitter, then this may very well be the bike for you.

Basically, this particular bike is made for speed and this is one reason why people that love the wind in their hair will feel drawn to this model. The bike itself looks very professional and it does offer you a high level of performance, but all of this is done without it costing you as much as the carbon based bikes that are also available.

Instead of carbon, this bike uses a lightweight alloy frame that is extremely sturdy and is more than capable of withstanding a lot of punishment out on the road without it ever being damaged. Just because it does not weigh much do not think that this makes the bike weak in any way as it is still very stiff without it affecting the handling, which is excellent to say the least. This bike does also manage to work its way through its gears without any problem and as long as you know how to use them correctly, then you will be amazed at the acceleration it can offer party due to how light the finished product actually is.

It has to be said that this particular bike is actually quite comfortable as it does come with the racing style saddle that has to be padded for the long distances that cyclists like to rack up. The handlebars are also pretty well positioned with the brakes not being too difficult to use, and with no stretching of your fingers required, and as long as you have the seat at the correct height, then the actual riding position should pose you no problems at all.

Finally it is worth adding that the wheels that accompany this bike are specifically designed for speed as they are slick, but still offer enough grip for you on the road at the same time. These wheels are just as strong as the rest of the bike and you will undoubtedly feel right at home from the minute you get on one of these models and can then settle down for a long ride in relative comfort.

To conclude, even though this particular Specialized bike may very well look like a professional road racing bike it does not come with the same price tag due in main to not having a carbon frame. Apart from this, it is extremely durable, easy to handle, weighs next to nothing, and will get you up to speeds that you did not think you could achieve. Yes there may be cheaper road bikes out there, but nothing will compare to this range from Specialized and you can continue to use it for years while the cheaper models are already on the scrap heap.