Mountain Biking - Specialized vs Cannondale

I am looking to buy a new bike, either a Rockhopper Disc or a F5. I mostly do trail riding with no crazy jumps. I rode both bikes today and am on the fence. Could someone give me some direction? :thumb:

If they both feel good, weigh the same, are spec'd similarly, and cost the same, I'd go with whichever has the longest warranty.

I would probably buy the Cannondale with those two choices. List the component packages for the two bikes here

Cannondale F5

Frame & Fork
Frame Construction TIG-welded
Frame Tubing Material Co2 SL Alloy
Fork Brand & Model RockShox Dart 3 w/lockout, 100mm travel
Fork Material Single
Rear Shock Not applicable

Components
Component Group SRAM X 5 mix
Brakeset Avid BB 5 Mechanical brakes, Cannondale XC levers
Shift Levers SRAM X.5 Trigger
Front Derailleur SRAM X.7
Rear Derailleur SRAM X.5
Crankset FSA CK-360TTT, 22/32/44 teeth
Pedals Wellgo Alloy Platform
Bottom Bracket FSA TH-7420ST
BB Shell Width Unspecified
Rear Cogs 9-speed, 11 - 34 teeth
Chain KMC 9-speed
Seatpost Kalloy SP-359, 27.2mm diameter
Saddle Cannondale Co2
Handlebar Cannondale C3 Riser
Handlebar Extensions Not included
Handlebar Stem Cannondale XC3
Headset Cannondale Converter

Wheels
Hubs Front: Formula DC20, Rear: Formula DC22
Rims Jalco X-320 Disc, 32-hole
Tires 26 x 2.10" Kenda Nevegal
Spoke Brand Stainless
Spoke Nipples Unspecified


Rockhopper Comp

Frame Construction TIG-welded
Frame Tubing Material Specialized A1 Premium Aluminum
Fork Brand & Model RockShox Dart 3 SL, 100mm travel
Fork Material Aluminum/chromoly, single crown
Rear Shock Not applicable

Components
Component Group SRAM Mix
Brakeset Avid BB5 w/160mm rotor brakes, Avid FR-5 levers
Shift Levers SRAM X.4 trigger
Front Derailleur Shimano Altus
Rear Derailleur SRAM X.5 medium cage
Crankset Shimano FC-M36108, 22/32/42 teeth
Pedals Steel cage, plastic body
Bottom Bracket Shimano BB-ES25, 118mm spindle
BB Shell Width 68mm
Rear Cogs 8-speed, 11 - 32 teeth
Chain KMC X8
Seatpost Specialized alloy two bolt, micro adjust, 30.9mm diameter
Saddle Specialized XC Body Geometry
Handlebar Specialized low riser
Handlebar Extensions Not included
Handlebar Stem Specialized 3D, 31.8mm
Headset 1 1/8" Specialized loose ball

Wheels
Hubs Front: Specialized Hi Lo disc, Rear: Specialized forged alloy
Rims Specialized RHD, 28-hole/32-hole
Tires 26 x 2.00" Specialized Fast Trak LK Sport
Spoke Brand Stainless steel, 15ga. (1.8mm)
Spoke Nipples Unspecified

kona

Hmmmmmm,which one sucks?

c'dale from those specs, pretty much better parts accross the board, 9spd vs 8spd

i do had c'dale brake levers so if it was me i'd throw some fr5 or sd7 levers on there (15-25$)

I've got the F5 and its been fairly good to me (other than fork, brakes, and the wheel that I destroyed trying an ill advised trick off of a loading dock). My friend has one as well, and over well, he likes his as well.

Hmmmmmm,which one sucks?

Every one knows the answer to that. That's why I ride one.

Wish I had one...maybe the "S" stands for snob...(but then my "J" would stand for jerk) ;)

I remember some one said that the C stands for Czucks.

"S" stands for special!
http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r212/2hick2b4real/theringerreview.jpg

The weight on these 2 bikes was 29.8 for the Rockhopper, vs 30.98 for the F5. What kind of a difference would this be on trails? Thanks

Probably wouldn't notice unless it was on the wheels and tires.
Which one felt better? Go back and ride them again.

I rode them both today at different bike shops, I couldn't compare directly. I am not sure if a second ride would help. I guess what I am asking is which of these bikes is going to hold up better over time.

Definately this one. The General G
http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r212/2hick2b4real/GeneralG.jpg

Definately this one. The General G
http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r212/2hick2b4real/GeneralG.jpg

That bike needs bigger tires.

That bike needs bigger tires.

And Some pedals!

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r212/2hick2b4real/GeneralG.jpg

That bike needs bigger tires.

And Some pedals!

I own a 06 Rockhopper but looked at a F5 before purchasing. I based my decision off the frame. With the Rockhopper you are getting a really great frame that will last a while and serve many purposes. I use mine for XC racing and endurance events and find that it performs perfectly. Yeah the components may not be as nice but we all upgrade right. The first thing I replaced was the wheels, still using the stock shifters. Check out Mountain Bike Action's review http://www.mbaction.com/Me2/dirmod.asp?sid=6C606132AD374521BC58D4CBDB82F733&nm=Main+All+Modules&type=news&mod=News&mid=9A02E3B96F2A415ABC72CB5F516B4C10&tier=3&nid=CBB2B34AA88E44EB8A61EE9E0274D98B As far as weight goes I find the weight of the rider makes more of a difference then the bike. I am sure you would not notice a difference in speed with the weights being so similar

I would think the F5's frame would last quite as long. Look at how many old C'dales you see (same with Spesh). I try to the best of my abilities to beat the poo out of it.

Both frames will hold up to normal trail riding and some rough stuff. To me the F5 has a little better drive train both seem to have some crappy wheels i have never heard of.

Definately this one. The General G
http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r212/2hick2b4real/GeneralG.jpg

Seat's too low...

Get a Cannibalized. Or a Specialdale. I herd both are purty good.

Definately this one. The General G
http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r212/2hick2b4real/GeneralG.jpg

The 01 on it looks photoshopped.

The 01 on it looks photoshopped.

Geee...ya think?:innocent:

The 01 on it looks photoshopped.
It was a long running joke.


http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r212/2hick2b4real/General_PEEte.jpg
http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r212/2hick2b4real/TGMBG.jpg

The 01 on it looks photoshopped.

more like paintchopped, if someone did that in photoshop they wasted their time.

Yes I admit it, I'm a hack!