Mountain Biking - New bike buy dilema

Hello everyone,

I am pretty new to this forum and have been reading a lot and getting some good stuff. I ride but I am using a friends bike. I am about to buy a 2006 Specialized Stumperjumper FSR Comp. Before I spend the money I am about to spend, I wanted to see what you guys thought. Would this be a good buy or should I buy an an older model/different model?

Also, maybe I've missed it but I don't see too many Specialized riders out there. Is Specialized a good brand?

Thanks!

Also, maybe I've missed it but I don't see too many Specialized riders out there. Is Specialized a good brand?

Thanks!

You dont want to buy a bike on what everybody else rides. Weird though...Specialized ARE one of the most popular brands. I'd say Kona are the tops, then Specialized.

Specialized is a great bike...I have 2 of them (roadies). First off the Stumpy FSR Comp you are looking at is very nice, I test rode it when I was buying recently...the one thing I didn't like was the bob while pedaling on the flats and up rises...but maybe you pedal stroke is smoother than mine. What I really liked was how plush the ride was on it. The bike I bought in the end is an 06 Cannondale Rush 800 which if you have a dealer in your area you should also consider (or the Prophet if you want the other inch of travel). The price of the two bikes should be about the same and don't pay more than $1700 for either of them as the 07 models are hitting the streets as we speak.

You dont want to buy a bike on what everybody else rides. Weird though...Specialized ARE one of the most popular brands. I'd say Kona are the tops, then Specialized.

It's funny how different bikes are more popular in different areas. Around here Specialized, Giant, and Trek are the most popular brands. Kona might make top five.

huhhhh yeahh, where I live it'S Norco-Kona-Trek