Advice on Hardtail under $700

Ultimately you need to get what feels best for you! I have a trek myself,
4300 frame, but over the course of a year and a half I've upgraded just
about everything, as needed or when I broke something. I purchased the bike
based on ride, which was similar to several Kona's and a Specialized
rockhopper I tested. When I put on my Marzocchi Bombers it changed the
geometry of my bike completely "for the better".

I checked Specialized's website and the MSRP on the Comp is $820. If your
LBS is going to spec your bike the same as the website, for $630 I think
your getting a sweet deal. If the bike feels right for you and you feel good
about the purchase go for it. Sell the forks on Ebay, you can put the money
towards an upgraded fork with more ajustablity, or a lock out option. or buy
something used that is better quality, I'm almost certain the Axle is
Manitou's entry level offering.
My Marzocchi's are 2001's I bought them new in '03, you'll be surprized how
much you can save upgrading if you go back a model year or two. I paid $406
Cdn for my forks, new they would cost over $800 before taxes.

Keep it sketchy
Greg

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i picked my bike just out of feel--which the Giants and Fuji bested every
other brand i tested (kona, fisher, trek, specialized, etc). The Giant
Yukon is around 500 with deore rear d'railleur. the Fuji Outland is
especially nice at 529$ msrp. i love the frame and geometry, and it has
nice componentry. all the other brands (especially trek) had too much of an
upright position for me to like
"MikeNYC" wrote in message
...
Hoping to buy one ASAP. I've ridden a few in my price range but have
yet to find the right combination.

I ordered and then rejected a 2004 Specialized Rockhopper Comp 21"
frame @ $630. Included Deore components and rode really nicely. I
liked it overall, but the front fork seemed to springy to me. We
tried to adjust it, and somehow the store rep and I broke it by
turning the knob. It's the same shock they use on smaller frames.

So they agreed to build me another one. But considering the ease with
which we broke the fork, I'm concerned about the fork's quality (even
if it can bd adjusted for my weight). I think it is a Manitou.

I'm 6'2" and roughly 195 ibs. Could be I need a better quality fork
for my weight...I've never owned a suspension fork before so I don't
have a lot to compare it to.

So, given my concerns about the fork on the Rockhopper Comp (and my
frustration), the shop offered to sell me a 2003 Trek 6700, also with
Deore components but with a RockShox Pilot SL fork. This bike sells
for at least $100 more than the Rockhopper above, but it just didn't
feel as good somehow. Plus, although a nice offer, they had been
pushing Specialized over Trek for overall quality all throughout my
research and now they were offering up a Trek as a solution....hmmmmm.

So, although ready to make a deal, I decided to rethink my purchase as
I hadn't done much research on the Trek line. I know that how the
bike feels is probably the most important thing here.

Should I ask them to build the other 2004 Rockhopper Comp they have in
stock?
How concerned should I be about shock choice given my weight? The
rockhopper felt great except for my two concerns about the fork shock
(quality and feel). the shop recommended not upgrading the shock as
that would cost more than moving up to a more expensive bike.

Should I consider the 2003 Trek 6700 that didn't feel as good?

Should I consider other bikes or brands for more or less money?

Can anybody help advise me, steer me, etc? I need an unbiased guru.
Happy to exchange expert advice on kites or reggae if wanted.

Thanks,

Mike

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