Bike models › Mountain
Specialized Hardrock (2012): specs, upgrades and what fits
Specialized's best-selling entry 26-inch hardtail with an A1 aluminum frame, 80 mm SR Suntour XCT coil fork, SRAM X3 7-speed trigger shifting on a 12-32 cassette, a square-taper triple and V-brakes; it sold new for $470. The 2010-2013 base Hardrocks are close. Best for: Easy trails, dirt roads and around town.
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My take, from the specs
A common used entry hardtail for easy trails, dirt roads and town, with an aluminum frame, an 80 mm SR Suntour coil fork, SRAM X3 3x7 trigger shifting and V-brakes. The frame has a disc mount and a replaceable hanger, but the parts are entry level. On a used one, check the fork for play, the brake pads and rim walls for wear, and the bottom bracket for looseness.
Sizes: XS (13 in): 4′8″–5′1″ (142–155 cm) · S (15.5 in): 5′0″–5′5″ (153–165 cm) · M (17.5 in): 5′4″–5′10″ (163–178 cm) · L (19 in): 5′9″–6′1″ (175–185 cm) · XL (21 in): 6′0″–6′5″ (183–195 cm) · XXL (23 in): 6′4″–6′9″ (193–206 cm)
Stock specs
| Type | Mountain |
|---|---|
| Year | 2012 |
| Price when new | $470 |
| Sold at | Specialized dealers (discontinued; common used) |
| Wheels | 26" × 51 mm tires |
| Gears | 3×7 · 42/32/22T · 12–32T |
| Brakes | Generic Die-cast alloy V-brake |
| Fork | SR Suntour XCT (SF12-XCT-V4-P), coil, preload, 80 mm |
| Rear derailleur | SRAM X3, 7-speed, long cage |
| Shifter | SRAM X3, 3x7 trigger |
| Crank | SR Suntour XCT, square taper |
| Bottom bracket | Generic Square taper, cartridge bearing |
| Axles | Quick release |
| Seatpost | 30.9 mm |
| Sizes | XS (13 in), S (15.5 in), M (17.5 in), L (19 in), XL (21 in), XXL (23 in) |
| Stock colors | Blue/Black/White, Black/Purple, Black/White/Red |
Upgrade limits
How far each part can go on this frame, and why. Measure your own bike to confirm the estimated ones.
| Part | Limit | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Widest tire (current wheel size) | 51 mm | Unknown until measured. Your 30 mm internal rims suit roughly 44–78 mm tires. |
| Tubeless | Not recommended | Tubeless needs a rim built to seal (bead hook + channel) and tubeless-ready tires. |
| Valve type | Schrader | Decides which tubes and pump heads fit. Presta tubes fit Schrader rims with a grommet; not the other way. |
| Replacement wheels | Quick release · 100/135 mm | Any wheel matching axle type, spacing and brake mount fits. Rear also needs the right freehub. |
| Biggest rear cog | 32T (now 32T) | Set by the rear derailleur (SRAM X3 (7-speed, long cage)): max low sprocket 32T, total capacity ?T. A hanger extender can add a few teeth (hit-or-miss on non-Shadow derailleurs); a new derailleur is the reliable way to get more. |
| Brake pads (rim) | Threaded-post pads (V-brake / U-brake) | Rim brake pads are sorted by how they mount, which depends on the brake: threaded post with a nut (V-brakes, U-brakes), smooth post in an eye bolt (cantilevers), road cartridges (dual-pivot calipers) or short threaded pads (side-pull calipers). Any compound… |
| Front gears | 3x (42/32/22T) · needs 40T capacity | A 3x drivetrain needs a front derailleur and left shifter. Your rear derailleur must take up (biggest − smallest ring) + (biggest − smallest cog) = 40T. Going 1x drops the front derailleur: simpler and quieter, with a slightly smaller range. |
| Chainring size | Unknown (now 42T) | Estimated from similar frames. Measure the chainring-to-chainstay gap to confirm. Check whether your ring is bolted or riveted. Spindle length (? mm) sets chainline; a big change in ring size may need a different BB spindle. |
| Gear count upgrades | 7 → 9 or 10 speed | Shimano HG 8/9/10-speed freehub: takes 8, 9 or 10-speed cassettes, Shimano 11-speed MTB and CUES/LinkGlide cassettes (7-speed needs a 4.5 mm spacer; most 11/12-speed road cassettes need an 11-speed road freehub, though the 11-34 HG700/HG800 fit). Shifter,… |
| Cranks & bottom bracket | Square taper · 68 mm shell · ? mm spindle | Any square-taper crankset fits with the right spindle length. Upgrading to Hollowtech II needs a new BB (same threaded shell). |
| Pedal thread | 9/16" × 20 | Every adult multi-piece crank uses 9/16". One-piece kids/cruiser cranks use 1/2". |
| Stems & bars | 1-1/8 steerer · 25.4 mm bar clamp | Any stem for a 1-1/8 steerer with a 25.4 mm clamp fits. You can cut a bar narrower but not wider. |
| Drop-bar conversion | Possible with mods | Needs road brake/shift levers (microSHIFT R8 makes 8-speed ones that pull Shimano 8-speed cable correctly), a drop bar, tape, and road-pull brake calipers because road levers pull less cable. Usually $250+. |
| Seatposts | 30.9 mm | Buy posts in exactly this diameter. |
| Racks, fenders, bottles | No rack · No fender · 0 bottle | Threaded eyelets at the dropouts and seat stays take a rack and fenders. Fork leg mounts take cargo cages. |
| Max load (rider + cargo) | Unknown | Wheels are usually the weak point under heavy loads. Stay under this with rider plus luggage. |
Best upgrades by area
Three options that fit the Specialized Hardrock (2012) as-is in each area, from budget to best. ★ marks the one most worth the money. How we pick. Typical US prices, checked October 2026. They change often: check the price at the store.
Upgrades that fit as-is
Brakes
- Kool-Stop Salmon V-brake pads, threaded post (2 pairs), $$. threaded post pads ↔ your rim brakes
- Shimano Deore cartridge V-brake pads (2 pairs), $$. threaded post pads ↔ your rim brakes
- Jagwire Mountain Pro brake cable kit (Kevlar KEB-SL housing), $$. Made for flat bars ↔ your flat bar
- Shimano Deore BR-T610 V-brakes (front + rear), $$. threaded post pads ↔ your rim brakes · Long-pull caliper ↔ your flat-bar (long-pull) levers
- Shimano S65T V-brake pads, threaded post (2 pairs), $. threaded post pads ↔ your rim brakes
- Kool-Stop threaded V-brake cartridge holders with salmon inserts (2 pairs), $$. threaded post pads ↔ your rim brakes
- Shimano Alivio BR-T4000 V-brakes (front + rear), $$. threaded post pads ↔ your rim brakes · Long-pull caliper ↔ your flat-bar (long-pull) levers
Comfort
- Ergon GP1 ergonomic grips, $$. Made for flat bars ↔ your flat bar
- Budget ergonomic lock-on grips, $. Made for flat bars ↔ your flat bar
- 35° rise 60 mm stem, $. 1-1/8" steerer matches · Get the 25.4 mm clamp version for your bar
- WTB Volt saddle, $$. Medium-width shape that suits most riders. Measure sit bones if comfort is the goal.
- Brooks C17 All Weather saddle, $$$. Vulcanized rubber top that flexes like a hammock, and this All Weather version is fully waterproof. No break-in like leather. Firm, not padded: made for long…
- Bikeroo oversized comfort saddle, $. Wide, soft and sprung for short upright rides on cruisers and hybrids. On rides over an hour wide padding can chafe; a firmer saddle that fits your sit bones…
- Ergon GA3 lock-on grips, $$. Made for flat bars ↔ your flat bar
- Selle Royal Respiro Moderate saddle, $$$. Made for a 60° "moderate" back angle (most flat-bar hybrids). Very upright cruisers suit the wider Respiro Relaxed. Standard round steel rails.
- Fizik Terra Argo X5 saddle (150 or 160 mm), $$$. Pick 150 mm for narrower sit bones, 160 mm for wider. Round 7 mm alloy rails fit every standard clamp.
- Ergon SR Allroad Core Comp saddle (men's or women's), $$$. Comes in S/M and M/L widths (measure your sit bones) and men's and women's shapes. Round CroMo rails; 120 kg rider limit.
- Ergon GP5 ergonomic grips with built-in bar ends (S or L), $$$. Made for flat bars ↔ your flat bar
- SR Suntour NCX suspension seatpost 30.9 x 350 mm, $$$. 30.9 mm post ↔ your 30.9 mm seat tube
- Redshift ShockStop Endurance suspension seatpost 30.9 mm, $$$$. 30.9 mm post ↔ your 30.9 mm seat tube
- Cirrus Kinekt 2.1 Aluminum suspension seatpost 30.9 mm (LR or XR spring), $$$$. 30.9 mm post ↔ your 30.9 mm seat tube
- Wald 8095 swept touring handlebar 25.4 mm, $$. Made for flat bars ↔ your flat bar
- Sunlite Northroad Touring alloy handlebar 25.4 mm, 3.5" rise, $$. Made for flat bars ↔ your flat bar
- Nitto B352AA Albatross handlebar 25.4 mm, 55 cm, $$$. Made for flat bars ↔ your flat bar
Control
- Race Face Chester composite flat pedals, $$. Big platform with pins. Feet stay put on bumps and in rain. Install with an 8 mm hex key (no wrench flats).
- ROCKBROS aluminum flat pedals, $$. Budget metal platform with pins. A big step up from stock plastic.
- Shimano PD-M520 SPD clipless pedals (cleats included), $$. Nearly indestructible two-sided SPD pedals. You also need SPD (2-bolt) shoes, about $60–100 more. Set the release tension low and practice unclipping before…
- Crankbrothers Stamp 2 aluminum flat pedals (small or large), $$$. Sized by shoe: small for US men's 5–10, large for 10 and up. Grease the threads and tighten to about 35 Nm.
- OneUp Components Aluminum flat pedals, $$$. Bearings and bushings can be serviced with a cheap kit instead of replacing the pedal. Grease the threads and tighten to about 35 Nm.
- Shimano PD-EH500 dual-sided SPD / flat pedals (cleats included), $$$. Comes with SM-SH56 multi-release cleats, which are easier to get out of in a panic. You still need 2-bolt SPD shoes to clip in.
- Shimano Deore XT PD-M8100 SPD pedals (cleats included), $$$. Cup-and-cone bearings are fully serviceable and last for years. Shoes with a 2-bolt SPD cleat sold separately.
- KS eTen-R external dropper 30.9 mm, 100 mm drop + KS Southpaw remote, $$$. 30.9 mm post ↔ your 30.9 mm seat tube
- TranzX YSP22 external dropper 30.9 x 410 mm, 125 mm drop, remote included, $$$. 30.9 mm post ↔ your 30.9 mm seat tube
- KS LEV external dropper 30.9 mm (100–150 mm drop) + KS Southpaw remote, $$$$. 30.9 mm post ↔ your 30.9 mm seat tube
Utility
- USB rechargeable front + rear light set, $$. Daytime flashing lights cut collisions. Required by law at night.
- Pletscher adjustable kickstand, $$. Handy for errands. Check it clears the rotor and chainstay.
- Lisen clamp-style handlebar phone mount, $. Cheap and tool-free for maps on paved rides. On rough gravel or trails a locking mount (Quad Lock or Peak Design, about $45–70 plus a case) is much safer.
- Topeak TopLoader top tube bag (0.75 L), $$. Keeps snacks, keys and a multi-tool within reach. Straps on, with a rain cover. Check your knees do not rub it when you stand up.
- Knog Oi Classic bell, $. Slim ring bell that wraps the bar. Large fits 23.8–31.8 mm bars; Small fits 22.2 mm kids and BMX bars. Required by law in some places.
- Wald 137 front basket, $$. Made for flat bars ↔ your flat bar
- Planet Bike Beamer 200 + Blinky Squared USB light set, $$. USB rechargeable, tool-free mounts. Use flash mode in daylight. Rear light is 30 lumens: good for town, modest on fast roads.
- Cygolite Metro Plus 800 + Hotshot Pro 150 USB light set, $$$. Nine headlight modes including a daytime flash. Aim the beam slightly down so you do not blind oncoming riders.
- Trek (Bontrager) Ion Pro RT + Flare RT light set, $$$. Daytime-running flash modes on both lights. ANT+ lets a Garmin or Wahoo show battery and switch them. Full power runs about 1.5 hours; medium lasts much longer.
Tubes
- Slime self-sealing tubes 26 x 1.75–2.125 Schrader (pair), $$. 26" wheel size matches
- Schwalbe AV13 26 x 1.5–2.4 Schrader tubes (pair), $. 26" wheel size matches · Schrader valve ↔ your Schrader rims
Drivetrain
- KMC X8 8-speed chain with Missing Link, $. 6/7/8-speed chain ↔ your 7-speed drivetrain
- KMC Z7 6/7-speed chain (116 links), $. 6/7-speed chain ↔ your 7-speed drivetrain
- KMC Z8.3 6/7/8-speed chain (116 links), $. 6/7/8-speed chain ↔ your 7-speed drivetrain
- KMC X8 EPT 6/7/8-speed anti-rust chain with Missing Link, $$. 6/7/8-speed chain ↔ your 7-speed drivetrain
Tires
- Kenda Kwest 26x1.95 reflective (pair), $$. 50 mm tire ↔ your ~51 mm clearance
- Schwalbe Big Apple 26x2.0 (50-559) (pair), $$$. 50 mm tire ↔ your ~51 mm clearance
- Schwalbe Marathon Plus 26x2.0 (50-559) SmartGuard (pair), $$$. 50 mm tire ↔ your ~51 mm clearance
- Kenda K-Rad 26x1.95 (50-559) wire (pair), $$. 50 mm tire ↔ your ~51 mm clearance
Gearing
- Shimano CS-HG200-7 7-speed cassette 12–28, $. Cassette ↔ your Shimano HG freehub · 7-speed ↔ your 7-speed drivetrain
- Shimano CS-HG200-7 7-speed cassette 12–32, $. Cassette ↔ your Shimano HG freehub · 7-speed ↔ your 7-speed drivetrain
- SunRace CSM63 7-speed cassette 11–28, $. Cassette ↔ your Shimano HG freehub · 7-speed ↔ your 7-speed drivetrain
Fits with small changes (16)
- Suspension seatpost 27.2 mm (budget), $$. Your seat tube takes 30.9 mm: needs a 27.2→30.9 shim.
- Redshift ShockStop suspension seatpost 27.2, $$$$. Your seat tube takes 30.9 mm: needs a 27.2→30.9 shim.
- External dropper post 27.2 mm, 100 mm drop + remote, $$$. Your seat tube takes 30.9 mm: needs a 27.2→30.9 shim.
- Ritchey Comp 2-Bolt alloy seatpost 27.2 mm, $$. Your seat tube takes 30.9 mm: needs a 27.2→30.9 shim.
- Thomson Elite seatpost 27.2 x 330 mm, $$$. Your seat tube takes 30.9 mm: needs a 27.2→30.9 shim.
- Ergon CF Allroad Pro Carbon flex seatpost 27.2 mm, $$$$. Your seat tube takes 30.9 mm: needs a 27.2→30.9 shim.
- Cirrus Kinekt 2.1 Aluminum suspension seatpost 27.2 mm (LR or XR spring), $$$$. Your seat tube takes 30.9 mm: needs a 27.2→30.9 shim.
- KS eTen-R external dropper 27.2 mm, 100 mm drop + KS Southpaw remote, $$$. Your seat tube takes 30.9 mm: needs a 27.2→30.9 shim.
- PNW Components Pine external dropper 27.2 mm (90 or 110 mm) + PNW Loam lever, $$$$. Your seat tube takes 30.9 mm: needs a 27.2→30.9 shim.
- Stan's NoTubes tire sealant 16 oz, $. In tubes: needs tubes with removable valve cores (Presta or Schrader to match your rims).
- Orange Seal Endurance tubeless sealant 16 oz, $. In tubes: needs tubes with removable valve cores (Presta or Schrader to match your rims).
- SILCA Ultimate Tubeless Sealant 16 oz, $. In tubes: needs tubes with removable valve cores (Presta or Schrader to match your rims).
- Magura HS11 hydraulic rim brakes with levers (front + rear), $$$. Replaces your brake levers. Your shifter stays.
- Kalloy Uno SP-602 alloy seatpost 25.4 x 350 mm, $. Your seat tube takes 30.9 mm: needs a 25.4→30.9 shim.
- Thomson Elite seatpost 25.4 x 330 mm, $$$. Your seat tube takes 30.9 mm: needs a 25.4→30.9 shim.
- Sunlite adjustable suspension seatpost 25.4 mm, $$. Your seat tube takes 30.9 mm: needs a 25.4→30.9 shim.
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Buying one used? Fair prices
Worked out from the price new ($470), age and condition, not live market data. If it needs tires, a chain or brakes, take off what fixing them would cost.
| Condition | Today (2012 model) |
|---|---|
| Like new | $120–$160 |
| Good | $105–$140 |
| Fair | $85–$115 |
| Needs work | $65–$85 |
See what these really sold for on eBay · Other used bike prices
Geometry (size M (17.5 in))
| Stack | 590° |
|---|---|
| Reach | 406 mm |
| Head angle | 70.25° |
| Seat angle | 73° |
| Chainstay | 424° |
| BB drop | 41 mm |
| Wheelbase | 1069 mm |
| Head tube | 120 mm |
| Seat tube | 444 mm |
| Standover | 759° |
Compare with
- Huffy Stone Mountain 26 · compare frames side by side
- Schwinn High Timber ALX 29 · compare frames side by side
- Trek Marlin 5 Gen 3 · compare frames side by side
- Specialized Rockhopper Sport · compare frames side by side
Sources: Specialized: 2012 Hardrock product page (full spec + geometry) · BikePedia (via web.archive.org): 2012 Specialized Hardrock, MSRP $470, sizes, colours · Bicycle Blue Book: 2012 Specialized Hardrock