Opinions - FS <$1000

i'm looking for a decent sub-$1000 full susp bike to replace my stolen '00
K2 Zed-X hardtail. i ride fire roads and a few trails in/around Austin, TX
which are pretty rocky and technical.

i realize this is almost the bottom end for FS setups, but i am not an
overly aggressive rider, and really had very few reliability problems with
my old low-end hardtail with just a few upgrades. i want something with a
good frame & decent basic set of components. i actually enjoy breaking
stuff and replacing it with bulletproof stuff. i had added disc brakes to
my K2, and won't consider anything that isn't at least disc-ready. (hubs &
caliper mounts)

here are a couple bikes i've narrowed my interest to, and my impressions.
please share any opinions and/or suggestions on other complete bikes
consider.

- Specialized FSR XC -- proven & refined frame design, decent components,
poor reviews on the Manitou Axel forks, frame sizes seem large
http://www.specialized.com/SBCBkModel.jsp?spid=6764

- K2 Attack 2.0 -- was very happy with my old K2, better(?) components &
forks, feels a little more solid for some reason
http://www.k2bikes.com/04products/full/attack2.asp

thanks all-
Trace

"Trace Trimble" wrote in message
...
i'm looking for a decent sub-$1000 full susp bike to replace my stolen '00
K2 Zed-X hardtail. i ride fire roads and a few trails in/around Austin,
TX
which are pretty rocky and technical.

i realize this is almost the bottom end for FS setups, but i am not an
overly aggressive rider, and really had very few reliability problems with
my old low-end hardtail with just a few upgrades. i want something with a
good frame & decent basic set of components. i actually enjoy breaking
stuff and replacing it with bulletproof stuff. i had added disc brakes to
my K2, and won't consider anything that isn't at least disc-ready. (hubs
&
caliper mounts)

here are a couple bikes i've narrowed my interest to, and my impressions.
please share any opinions and/or suggestions on other complete bikes
consider.

- Specialized FSR XC -- proven & refined frame design, decent components,
poor reviews on the Manitou Axel forks, frame sizes seem large
http://www.specialized.com/SBCBkModel.jsp?spid=6764

Very nice bike, would be a good choice.


- K2 Attack 2.0 -- was very happy with my old K2, better(?) components &
forks, feels a little more solid for some reason
http://www.k2bikes.com/04products/full/attack2.asp

thanks all-
Trace

Trace Trimble wrote:
i'm looking for a decent sub-$1000 full susp bike to replace my
stolen '00 K2 Zed-X hardtail. i ride fire roads and a few trails
in/around Austin, TX which are pretty rocky and technical.

{Snip}

Since you're not a newb, how about something used? You might just find a
gem.

Bill "beats a shiny turd" S.

I was looking for something in the same price range and settled on the Jamis
Dakar Sport. It rides good and is speced good for the price.


"Trace Trimble" wrote in message
...
i'm looking for a decent sub-$1000 full susp bike to replace my stolen '00
K2 Zed-X hardtail. i ride fire roads and a few trails in/around Austin,
TX
which are pretty rocky and technical.

i realize this is almost the bottom end for FS setups, but i am not an
overly aggressive rider, and really had very few reliability problems with
my old low-end hardtail with just a few upgrades. i want something with a
good frame & decent basic set of components. i actually enjoy breaking
stuff and replacing it with bulletproof stuff. i had added disc brakes to
my K2, and won't consider anything that isn't at least disc-ready. (hubs
&
caliper mounts)

here are a couple bikes i've narrowed my interest to, and my impressions.
please share any opinions and/or suggestions on other complete bikes
consider.

- Specialized FSR XC -- proven & refined frame design, decent components,
poor reviews on the Manitou Axel forks, frame sizes seem large
http://www.specialized.com/SBCBkModel.jsp?spid=6764

- K2 Attack 2.0 -- was very happy with my old K2, better(?) components &
forks, feels a little more solid for some reason
http://www.k2bikes.com/04products/full/attack2.asp

thanks all-
Trace




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thanks for the replies.

i've been looking for a few weeks on the used market, but i'm seeing two
things; resale seems pretty high around here, and it's hard to find
something i want in my size. i'd rather just shell out the extra couple
hundred & get something now, and with a warranty.

i'va also been eyeing a Haro Extreme X1:
http://www.harobikes.com/2004/extremex1/

it's about 4 lbs heavier than the other two, and seems to be more of a
DH-specific design... any feedback on that one?

thanks
Trace

"S o r n i" wrote in message
...
Trace Trimble wrote:
i'm looking for a decent sub-$1000 full susp bike to replace my
stolen '00 K2 Zed-X hardtail. i ride fire roads and a few trails
in/around Austin, TX which are pretty rocky and technical.

{Snip}

Since you're not a newb, how about something used? You might just find a
gem.

Bill "beats a shiny turd" S.