Mountain Biking - trek vs. specialized

I have been looking for a few months for a new Bike and I have narrowed my search down to a Specialized Stumpjumper M2 and a Trek 8000, both '00. They are almost the same price (around $1000-$1050), the two stores' maintenance plans are similar, and both have 17" frames (I am 5'10'). I was wondering which one is the better buy and which is the better bike (I love to climb hills). Please dont factor in how the tires or pedals perform since I already have some of my own that are better than the stock ones.
I appreciate all the help I might recieve. Thanks.

Bill,


If you like to climb hills then I would pick the bike that you can lock out the suspension (I don't believe that the trek has lock outs, but the specialized might). If neither of them have lockouts, then go for the bike with the firmest suspension.

The factors that would lean me one way or the other would be: do either of these bikes have disc brakes? I think that disc brakes will be a must for my next bike. Are the handlebars straight? I like the "lower-in-front" feel that I get from my Trek, as opposed to most of my friend's bikes where I feel like I am sitting more upright. I guess that goes back to the most important thing that I can think of: comfort.

Test ride. Test ride. Test ride. Test ride.

It's my firm opinion that any bike shop that won't let you take the bike for a test ride doesn't deserve your business.

Best of luck in your decision making. I hope that I offered some solid advice in all the above rambling.

Joe

Hi mate,

Well, I also own a Trek, but if i had the choice of the two, it would have to be the M2. I think you'll find it to be the lighter of the two bikes and better specced.

It's only when you get to the higher priced bikes ($2,000+) that the choice becomes really tricky, then I'd have to go for the Trek.

I do agree though that you'd have to test ride the 2 bikes, and see which one suits you the best!!!

Have fun

Rich

Thanks for all the help, I will definately take it into consideration when I make my purchase. I went out today to look at them again I like the feel of the Stumpjumper better. Plus the man at the shop swapped the Specialized crank with a Shimano XT hollowtech, so thats a plus as I feel.

Both companies make great bikes, Treks are designed from more of a mid west outlook (technical riding) where as Specialized covers a broader range with thier bike styles. The Stumpjumper is a watered down version of thier hard tail CC racing bike (least it was, I used to have the racing model, think it was called m2 or somethin like that) with the basic difference being the stuff added to the bike, not the frame itself, so if its still the same then the stump jumper is a really good bike. I ride a trek y bike now custom built by myself, which i prefer cuase im more of a single track racer and i find the benifits of f/s outwieght the negatives. Either bike you chose should make you very happy.