Mountain Biking - Hoo Koo E Koo, 6700 or 6500?

After researching bikes in my budget(~$1K) and requirements(hardtail, hyd disc), I've decided on the Fisher HKEK. My LBS says they can order it, but can't predict a delivery date better than June/July time frame. They also said that prices could be up 15-20% by then. I see the 6700 is similar in specs and price, but I don't know the availability. The LBS does have a 6500 in stock and my size.

Should I order a HKEK, 6700 or settle for the 6500 in stock?

FYI, I currently ride an early 90s Hard Rock with a couple thousand commuter miles on it, so anything new I ride feels awesome. I mainly ride road and commute, so I'm looking for a MTB that will last a long time and comes stock with decent components.

After researching bikes in my budget(~$1K) and requirements(hardtail, hyd disc), I've decided on the Fisher HKEK. My LBS says they can order it, but can't predict a delivery date better than June/July time frame. They also said that prices could be up 15-20% by then. I see the 6700 is similar in specs and price, but I don't know the availability. The LBS does have a 6500 in stock and my size.

Should I order a HKEK, 6700 or settle for the 6500 in stock?

FYI, I currently ride an early 90s Hard Rock with a couple thousand commuter miles on it, so anything new I ride feels awesome. I mainly ride road and commute, so I'm looking for a MTB that will last a long time and comes stock with decent components.

I like Fisher's personally.

I can't recommend one b/c I broke my HKEK frame. My riding buddy is on his 3rd ExCal. They have all broken at the ST/HT jctn.

I'm DEFINITELY not a Trek fan.

Do you have another shop that you can choose from that sells Specialized, Jamis, or OneCycles by chance?

i got the 6500 and it is nice so far. The HKEK for some reason had bad "internet" reviews. enough to scare me away.

the difference between the 6500 and 6700 wasn't enough to warrent the price IMO.

almost more of a pref between SRAM or shimano

i like the fisher bikes but i dont think i would want to wait that long for a bike. ive beaten the crap out of mine lately and havent and anything more than a scratch. and the frame has a life time warrenty and was told by the lbs if anything happend to it no mater how they would replace it. the 6700 looks the same component wise as the HKEK the 6500 seems more like the tassajara.

I like Fisher's personally.

I can't recommend one b/c I broke my HKEK frame. My riding buddy is on his 3rd ExCal. They have all broken at the ST/HT jctn.

I'm DEFINITELY not a Trek fan.

Do you have another shop that you can choose from that sells Specialized, Jamis, or OneCycles by chance?

There are two other shops in town. One carries Jamis, KHS, Guru and the other carries Felt, Specialized, and Redline.


The Dakota Sport was in my initial lineup, but the shop doesn't carry any in stock. Seems like if you want above the 4-500 dollar range, it's a custom order.

The Rockhopper Pro Disc seems the closest to the HKEK and 6700, but cost a bit more and has lower components. Is it worth the extra $50-$100?

As far as the OneCycles M81, $2700 and one speed is way out of my budget and off my specifications. For that price I could get a FS bike and a SS!