Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - What a Dilemna! 2008 Zaskar Expert vs 2009 Motobecane FLY 9357 !!!

I am on the fence!!! I know I want a new hardtail...

I currently ride a 2001 GT i-Drive Race which has pretty much remained 'stock' (different seat, wheels and I added disc brakes). I love this bike - but holy cow - it's so heavy compared to my buddy's cannondale lefty HT!

So I got to searching around....

and have it narrowed down to 2 bikes.

2008 GT Expert Disc for <$1000 at Performance (http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=25790&subcategory_ID=3050)
or
2009 Motobecane FLY 9357 @ $1400 BD (http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/motobecane/fly_9357_09.htm)


I'm not interested in flames - I know the differences between the bikes -

I am however looking for real world experiences with either of these bikes....

I love the component groupo and the look of the FLY - it looks like the Vuelta Wheels (XRP Team Edition) might be considered 'crap'??! But the SID Race fork and FSA Cranks - make up for subpar wheels.

On the other hand - I have ALWAYS wanted a Zaskar !! from the first day I started riding - they seemed like they were the shiznit !!!

What does a guy do?? get the better frame with the lesser components and spend gobs of money in upgrades? Or get a a bike with amazing components with the intentions of looking for a Zaskar frame to swap everything out to one day?

opinions? thoughts?

6'5" - 235 - 39yrs old - with aspirations to ride 3x's a week on intermediate trails around the Frontrange!

I say go for the Zaskar, but seriously that's only because I ride with you and I know that was your dream bike you couldn't afford years ago, and I know that you will always wonder "What if"

But...
the components alone on the Fly are almost worth the money, then you can keep hunting for a Zaskar frame to build (which will be a blast in itself) in the offseason from the fly components...

as we know the BD bikes are pretty decent (despite all the flames, and no... I'm not a shill), the Dawes roadie (lighting 1500) I'm riding is amazing for the money, and rides great...

But I love them GT frames, the geometry is just about perfect, and the zaskar frames are legendary and bombproof

in the long run buying the Zaskar will be more 'spensive when you consider the components on the fly (in my opinion)

tough decision... hopefully others here will help....

I think I would go for the Moto. I would wait until you either break the frame or find a good deal on a Zaskar frame and then make the swap.

I'd go for the one i could test ride and pick up in person. But that's just me.

went to performance this weekend
that Zaskar is a damned fine bike... Almost bought one myself (but my wife was present! ended up getting her a GT comfort bike instead)
I rode about 20 laps around the store on the zaskar started getting looks from the sales staff with that stinkeye, the one that says "are you gonna buy that thing or get off it"... gonna start saving my nickels and dimes!

Well... I found out the Moto doesn't come in a 22" frame yet... so I went ahead and ordered an XL Zaskar. I cannot wait to get that thing and ride it !

as a (now) fellow zaskar rider, I can say that you made the right choice!
I'm tired today, that ride Sunday morning kicked my butt, but the 8 year old bike, rocked it!

LET THE MOD's BEGIN!!

I've already changed the pedals to M747's
Change to Aluminum Risers
Different Seat (needs to be adjusted)
and new tires are on the way (Fire XC Pro's - yellow sidewall)

http://aspenmaintenance.com/08_Zaskar_XL1.JPG


up next? Maybe a carbon seat post and some Spinergy Xyclone Disc's with yellow spokes


GO AWAY SNOW!!! I'm ready to RIDE!!!

In the mid 90s did the Zaskar have a special frame that was different from the alu triple triangle frame used for Avalanche and Ricochet?

On the latter, how does the old GT tt frame compare to current hardtails?

Oh man! Get the Zaskar. I always wanted one, too, and you have very little chance you'll be dissapointed with either - they are good bikes...

Always wanted a Zaskar...
finally can afford one...
Here's what I bought a couple weeks ago on sale:

Then I put on different Pedals, Seat and a Riser Bar:
http://aspenmaintenance.com/08_Zaskar_XL3.JPG
And then I ordered some Spinergy Xyclone Enduro Disc's and Panracer Smokes...
De-Badged the wheels and cleaned everything up...

http://aspenmaintenance.com/BlackHornet_RR2.JPG