Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - Two Bikes I'm Considering. Opinions Wanted.

I'm in the process of buying a new bike and here are the three that I'm currently interested in.
The Canondale Bad Boy Disc, Cannondale F3 Caffene, and the Trek 7.3fx. I'm going to test ride them soon but I'm looking for opinions on both bikes and maybe some of you can take a look and compare the components which I listed below and tell me which may be better suited for a 300# and dropping rider. I'll be using this bike as a daily commuter. I'm thinking the F3 would be the toughest and if I went with it I'd put slicks on it and keep the knobs for the trails. I will be riding the occasional dirt path and hopping curbs from time to time. Also If you have any other bikes that you think might be worth looking into I'd appreciate it.

Bad Boy Disc

Frame Bad Boy Si Disc

Fork Fatty Ultra R Disc

Rear Shock N/A

Rims Sun DS-2 Bad Boy w/eyelet, 32 hole

Hubs Shimano M475

Spokes DT Swiss Champion, 14g

Tires Vittoria Randonneur w/Double Shielding, 700 x 28c

Pedals Wellgo alloy cage w/clip and strap

Crank Shimano FC-M470 Hollowtech, 26/36/48

Chain Shimano 9-speed

Rear Cogs Shimano CS-HG50, 11-32

Bottom Bracket Shimano Octalink BB-ES25

Front Derailleur Shimano Deore

Rear Derailleur SRAM X-7

Shifters SRAM X-7 Trigger

Handlebars Cannondale C3, 20mm rise, 600mm wide

Stem Cannondale XC3F 1 1/8", 31.8mm

Headset Alloy integrated, 15 mm top cap

Brakeset Avid BB5 Disc

Brakelevers Cannondale Fire

Saddle Selle Royal Viper RVL Chromoly

Seat Post Cannondale Alloy

Cannondale F3 Caffene
Frame Caffeine

Fork HeadShok Super Fatty Ultra DLR, 80 mm

Rear Shock n/a

Rims WTB Speed Disc XC, 32 hole

Hubs Shimano M475

Spokes DT Champion

Tires Maxxis ,RIDGELINE, 26X2.1"

Pedals Welgo Clipless

Crank Shimano FC-M521, 22/32/44

Chain Shimano 9-speed

Rear Cogs Shimano HG50 11-32

Bottom Bracket Shimano BB-ES25 Octalink

Front Derailleur Shimano Deore

Rear Derailleur Sram X-7 Trigger

Shifters Sram X-7

Handlebars Cannondale C3, 20 mm rise

Stem Cannondale XC3 HeadShok, 31.8 mm

Headset Cannondale HeadShok Si

Brakeset Avid Juicy 3 160/160mm

Brakelevers Avid Juicy 3

Saddle Cannondale X-Country

Seat Post Cannondale Alloy

Sizes S, M, L, X

Extras Cannondale Morse Grip




The Trek 7.3fx
Frameset
Sizes 15, 17.5, 20, 22.5, 25"
Frame FX Alpha Black Aluminum
Fork FX Alloy w/tapered wall thickness, straight blades, Clix dropouts
Wheels
Wheels Alloy front hub, Shimano RM30 rear hub; Bontrager Nebula, 32-hole rims
Tires Bontrager Race Lite Hardcase, 700x32c; 60tpi
Drivetrain
Shifters Shimano EF60 trigger, 8 speed
Front Derailleur Shimano C102
Rear Derailleur Shimano Deore
Crank Shimano M361 48/38/28 w/chainguard
Cassette Shimano HG40 11-32, 8 speed
Pedals Nylon body w/alloy cage
Components
Saddle Bontrager Nebula
Seat Post Bontrager Nebula Basic
Handlebars Bontrager SSR, 25mm rise, 6 degree sweep
Stem Bontrager SSR, 10 degree
Headset Aheadset Slimstak w/semi-cartridge bearings, sealed
Brakeset Avid SD-3 w/Shimano EF60 levers
Extras Bontrager Satellite Plus grips

I added the Cannondale F3 Caffene in the mix as well. A friend has one and he likes his. It's real similar to the Bad Boy but stronger. I'm thinking a pair of slicks and I'm in business. After I test ride it of corse. Let me know what ya'll think.

Your not exactly comparing apples to apples here. Personally for commuting duties I would go with a bike without suspension so the Trek would be my choice. It could also handle light trails but avoid curb hopping as much as possible. Consider the FX 7.5 if you have the extra funds availible.

Your not exactly comparing apples to apples here. Personally for commuting duties I would go with a bike without suspension so the Trek would be my choice. It could also handle light trails but avoid curb hopping as much as possible. Consider the FX 7.5 if you have the extra funds availible.

Yeah, they are three totally different rides. The 7.3 and the Bad Boy are the closest I'd say. The F3 Caffeine while being a mountian bike allows me the option to swap tires and hit the trails. A few years back I was an avid mountain biker and built a bomb proof Cdale for my type of riding. I dont have the nerve to ride like I use to. I don't have hardly any time to hit the trails at the moment so it would be mostly street but still I like the option. Im gonna test ride them all and compare them and see which one fits me best and which one will last with my type of riding.

If you have a jamis dealer near you I would check out their coda. They have a version that comes with disk breaks and a steel frame (nice for commuting). http://www.jamisbikes.com/usa/bikes/08_bikes/08codaelite.html
(http://www.jamisbikes.com/usa/bikes/08_bikes/08codaelite.html)
If you don't have a jamis dealer I think the 7.3 will be the best commuter but you wouldn't be able to hit the "real" trails like you said. You'll find that you'll go faster on the street with a bike that doesn't have shocks up front.

You need to assess the type of riding you will be doing 95% of the time then buy the bike that best suits that style. If you will be on the road 95% buy a road oriented bike. Mostly trails buy a trail bike. When you start switching tires and trying to make a mountain bike roadish you end up with a bike that is good at neither duty and quite expensive, ask me how I know ;). I wouldn't bother with the caffeine, try out the bad boy and the FX if you will be doing mostly commuting. Then pick up a used mountain bike for the once in awhile trips.

You need to assess the type of riding you will be doing 95% of the time then buy the bike that best suits that style. If you will be on the road 95% buy a road oriented bike. Mostly trails buy a trail bike. When you start switching tires and trying to make a mountain bike roadish you end up with a bike that is good at neither duty and quite expensive, ask me how I know ;). I wouldn't bother with the caffeine, try out the bad boy and the FX if you will be doing mostly commuting. Then pick up a used mountain bike for the once in awhile trips.

What he said. I bought a Bad Boy Ultra this summer. I love it but I wish I had just gotten a road bike. At the the time of purchase I was goign from mtb to more road and I was unsure how I would like it. I love getting out on the road, I just wish my bad boy was more of a dedicated road bike. Just my experience.

Good luck with the choice. Don't get bogged down in the nitty gritty of the bikes. Like you said, take them for a test ride and see which one you like the best. Maybe take it out a few times before you make a decision. Hope it goes well for you.

Good luck with the choice. Don't get bogged down in the nitty gritty of the bikes. Like you said, take them for a test ride and see which one you like the best. Maybe take it out a few times before you make a decision. Hope it goes well for you.

Yeah, I will ride them all. The reason I might be leaning towards the F3 is because my commute is about six miles each way all in town with countless ways to get there. I like to switch things up to keep from getting bored so I know I'm gonna end up trekkin' through woods and stuff like that sometimes.

Jack, there's always the obvious......more than one bike.;)

http://www.bikeforums.net/album.php?albumid=11

Jack, there's always the obvious......more than one bike.;)

http://www.bikeforums.net/album.php?albumid=11

Yeah, and there's more than one place for me to sleep. Like the basement or garage. :D