Mountain Biking - Looking for valid opinions

I'm looking for a new XC bike and I came across this (http://www.jamisbikes.com/bikes/spec&geo/eurekaspec02.html) http://www.jamisbikes.com/bikes/images/02_eureka.jpg

I'm sure I'll be ditching the riser bar (hate the beach cruiser posture) and I KNOW I'll be replacing the saddle. The Hayes Disks is one spot where I'm questioning myself. Do I want to trade them for the Avid Mechs (cheaper & better reviews) or, keep 'em? Another area of concern is the fact that I'm a pretty big guy 6'4" 240 lbs and the reviews of the Manitou Six Super aren't promising for a Clydesdale like myself Review (http://www.mtbr.com/reviews/front_shocks_2002/product_78709.shtml)
Do any of you have any input on this? I'm trying to keep the whole thing at about $800 and similar specs (splined bb is a must). I'm not stuck on the Jamis but I've liked what I've seen from them so far. That fork just scares me.

You are the same size as me. I would have similar concerns (even though I prefer the riser bars as it works well with my riding style, I am not a beach cruise ;))

1 - fork - see about getting it changed for a Marzocchi aggro xc series. I have the lowest end EXR and it has been fine for me in this stage of learning. With the stiffer springs and heavier oild it was great. It is also a cheap priced fork

2 - BB - splined isn't enough I destoryed my truvative within two weeks. Make sure you get a raceface bb.

3 - brake - Switch before you buy. Hayes suck. The feel great for a month or so than suck. I have not been able to reset the power back to its original feel since I got it. Avids I don't hear bad things about.

Get your bike, I'll get mine and we'll meet at Alafia or Carter Road!

I'm down in Sarasota and looking for a new bike as well.

I'm 225-230 lbs and 6'0".

Well be the BFGOB's.

L8R

BTW, the Jamis is a nice decent bike. I also prefer the riser bar (even on a hardtail). For burly guys, check out Kona's. They build them as tanks. Also, I just sold my Specialized P.3, and I've noticed a lot on ebay and mtbr. That's a big burly bike as well. It's not XC, but then again you are 200 +.

Have you looked into the used market? You can get a lot for $800.

Originally posted by a2psyklnut
Get your bike, I'll get mine and we'll meet at Alafia or Carter Road!

I'm down in Sarasota and looking for a new bike as well.

I'm 225-230 lbs and 6'0".

Well be the BFGOB's.

L8R

BTW, the Jamis is a nice decent bike. I also prefer the riser bar (even on a hardtail). For burly guys, check out Kona's. They build them as tanks. Also, I just sold my Specialized P.3, and I've noticed a lot on ebay and mtbr. That's a big burly bike as well. It's not XC, but then again you are 200 +.

Have you looked into the used market? You can get a lot for $800. Sounds like a plan. I've considered Kona's but that was when I was looking a double squishers I suppose I could look at the P3 and Kona .com only one prob.. no way to judge prices.Btw BFGOB's??? Just looked at Kona's offerings they just don't have the specs I want alot of them are using Tien Hsin square taper bottom brackets and the out-of-bounds hardtails didn't blow my skirt up either. I suppose the double squishys get the good stuff.

Well I would give a vote of toughness to the roast / chute. Its my ride and I love it. Being a big clydesdale I did some immediate work to the rear wheelset but it is a very worthy bike.

Than again it isn't great for xc. Its geometry is too far sloped to make a good xc bike. On extreme climbs it has a tendency to tip backwards ;)...

I can't speak for the other Hayes models, but, the mechanically actuated hydraulics I have on my ride are great! They are over three years old now and still work fine. I have replaced the pads twice, and, as it came from the factory, the brakes were installed improperly. After I realigned them and centered them they were and are fine. I rotate this bike with a Cannondale Super V to keep the miles down to a degree.

I have heard great things about the Avid mechs and if you can save a few bucks while still getting great performance I say go for it! I just ride the hell out of what I have and try to keep upgrade fever to a minimum. :D

Told ya I wasn't stuck on the Jamis check this out:http://www.ironhorsebikes.com/images/2002_bikes/sinister.jpg
Available Sizes: MENS: 15, 16.5, 18, 19.5, 21
Available Colors: BLUE
Frame: 7005 ALLOY A-FRAME, W/ OVERSIZED GUSSETS, SQUARED CHAINSTAYS, REPLACEABLE DROPOUT, INTERNATIONAL DISK MOUNT
Fork: MARZOCCHI EXC COIL/OPEN BATH, 4" TRAVEL, 1 1/8" THREADLESS
Crankset: TRUVATIV HUSSEFELT
Chainrings: 44/32/22T
Chain: KMC HG-72
Bottom Bracket: TRUVATIV ISIS SPLINED DH
Pedals: ALLOY ONE PIECE PLATFORM
Front Derailleur: SHIMANO DEORE
Rear Derailleur: SHIMANO DEORE LX
Shifters: SHIMANO DEORE RAPID FIRE, 27 SPEED
Freewheel: SUN RACE CASSETTE, 11-32T, 9 SPEED
Tires: MAXXIS HARD DRIVE 26X2.1 , MAXXIS HARD DRIVE 26X2.1
Front Hub: FORMULA DISC, ALLOY, QR, BLACK
Rear Hub: FORMULA DISC, ALLOY, QR, BLACK
Rims: SUN HILL ROD, BLACK W/ EYELETS, 32H
Spokes: 14G STAINLESS
Nipples:
Front Brake: HAYES HMX-1 MECHANICAL DISK BRAKE
Rear Brake: HAYES HMX-1 MECHANICAL DISK BRAKE
Brake Levers: AVID SPEED DIAL 5
Handlebar: 1 1/2" RISE, SAND-BLAST BLACK ALLOY
Stem: 5 DEGREE RISE, ALLOY THREADLESS
Grips: IRON HORSE
Headset: WTB 1 1/8" THREADLESS W/ ORANGE STRIPE
Saddle: KOSKI CONTOUR FR
Seat Post: ALLOY MICRO ADJUST
Seatpin: ALLOY W/ ALLEN BOLT

The reviews (http://www.mtbr.com/reviews/2002_Hardtail/product_85245.shtml) seem to be fairly positive and it has the Marzocchi EXC fork that was recommended. I still want to put the Avid Mechs on it. any comments?

Most of the specs look pretty good, but I'm not a fan of Formula hubs. I've got them on my NRS 2 and trashed the rear one in one year of riding. Giant did warranty it though.

No comments on the hubs. No experience with them. My old shop used to carry ironhorse and they seems good. Otherwise I never hear anything about them

I hear nothing but bad about the hayes mechs and I have nothing but bad to say about them. They are useless, v-brakes are better. :)

Better bike than the jamis it seems, and the fork is good to start with. I have one and am just now running into problems with it (I am too heavy and my riding is too extreme for a cheap xc fork)

BFGOB my buddies and I came up with this acronymn to describe us. Big Fat Guys on Bikes!

You gotta have a sense of humor when you're 33 years young and 230 lbs and participating in a sport for 18 year olds who weight 150 lbs soaking wet!

L8R

Are those 32 spoke wheels build for big guys? For a few extra gramms you could be riding 36 spokes.

Could be a pricey upgrade to start with. Most stock bikes don't come with 36 spoke option. :) But definately a future upgrafde consideration depending on the riding you are doing.