Mountain Biking - help me compare these intro bikes...

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The Bishop
04-07-03, 10:30 AM
my bro has narrowed down his bike choices to these 3:

trek 4900
rockshox pilot c
msrp $570

specialized rockhopper
manitou axel comp
msrp $530

fisher tassajara
rockshox pilot xc
msrp $620

there isn't much difference between these bikes. he is 5' 9'', 150 and will ride xc. this is his first real bike. i asked him which felt the best and he said he couldn't tell much difference.

any advice on these bikes would be most greatly appreciated.

thanks.

Singlespeedster
04-07-03, 10:40 AM
As you correctly point out, there isn't much difference. Which bike shop fells best to you? Which offers the best service after sale? Any discounts with bike purchase? Do any of them seem willing to help him dial in the fit by swapping out stems and the like?
math2p14
04-07-03, 12:29 PM
PAy in mind that the Rockhopper frame (as far as design and tubesets not tube material) is exactly the same as last years stumpjumper....that means it has awesome upgrade potential as a frame and it is definately on a different class in comparison with the 4700....i dont know about the fisher. Also Rockhoppers as well as all other specialized bikes have better specs in Europe so i cant comment on the US specs. Just the frame rocks!

Jake
04-07-03, 01:56 PM
Are you refering to the trek 4900? I just bought one. It was between the rockhopper and the trek, i rode both and i liked the feel of the 4900 better, but its all personal opinion.
DiL
04-07-03, 02:21 PM
The thing that keeps me away from rockhoppers are the manitou forks. I know people are saying the new shermans are pretty stiff, but I'll tell anyone who asks that the Axels are like having a fork made from rubber on your bike.
Jake
04-07-03, 06:13 PM
DiL is right on that too. The fork is very soft compared to the others i've ridden. My pilot c seems to be just right for me.
The Bishop
04-07-03, 06:29 PM
Originally posted by Jake
Are you refering to the trek 4900? I just bought one. It was between the rockhopper and the trek, i rode both and i liked the feel of the 4900 better, but its all personal opinion.

whoops! i did mean the 4900. i fixed that in original post.
Jim311
04-07-03, 07:21 PM
I hear the Axel fork really sucks, but that's just heresay. I'd get the Specialized.