Bit of help with age of this Hardrock.

[Copa_ATX]

So the Mrs came home from work with this in the boot, Which was nice, But i have no knowledge of these. Bit of help would be appreciated.

 

[vtwinvince]

Mid-90's would be my guess.

 

[CassidyAce]

Pretty sure it's the 1993 base model. There was a HardRock in a similar colour in 1995 but the seat tube collars are different. This one has the chunky collar that was on 1993 and earlier models. The original shifters on this example have been replaced with some cheap (pretty unpleasant) twist grip shifters.

To my mind, these are not bikes to keep original: the low end 1990s components are heavy and not very nice to use. However, if you do a Google image search for 1993 Specialized HardRock, you'll find that people have done all sorts of interesting things to theirs, giving them a second life, and getting good use out of them.

 

[Copa_ATX]

Pretty sure it's the 1993 base model. There was a HardRock in a similar colour in 1995 but the seat tube collars are different. This one has the chunky collar that was on 1993 and earlier models. The original shifters on this example have been replaced with some cheap (pretty unpleasant) twist grip shifters.

To my mind, these are not bikes to keep original: the low end 1990s components are heavy and not very nice to use. However, if you do a Google image search for 1993 Specialized HardRock, you'll find that people have done all sorts of interesting things to theirs, giving them a second life, and getting good use out of them.

Thanks, the twist grip shifters are pretty pant's. I guessed early 90's but good to know. The bike was free & is going to be my new winter beater so it's going to see a few change's so i'll have a google at other's.

 

[MattiThundrrr]

If you have any original Shimano parts, they'll be stamped with a date code, usually on the back. This can help you pin down the build year.
Just for fun, here's my 94ish Hardrock, unashamed to hang out with handmade finery