Mountain Biking - Trek 4900 v. Specialized Rockhopper

Hello Everyone,
Thanks for a great bike forum. Does anyone have any advise on which bike is better suited for me. I am a newer bike rider. Would like to ride road and trail. My decision has come down to a Trek 4900 and Specialized Rockhopper. I would like to spend around $500, so any other recommendations welcome.

Test ride them both, buy the one that fits best! That'll be the best deal regardless of price!

Both good bikes!

L8R

i agree keep test riding thats what i am doing i plan on spending some time on this bike so i want the right fit and feel gary fisher has some nice bikes in that range also `i have been on both bikes but i like the rockhopper has a good feel to me just my 2 cents

I, too, spent some time test riding these bikes (Trek 4900 and Spec RH). Both felt pretty good. I was all but decided on the Trek when I rode a Kona Blast, and haven't looked back.

My experience was that in that price range ($500-$600), most of the bikes are really similar with minor changes in componentry. You should ingore branding and go by fit. Buy a bike that feels great!

My only other advice, having recently plunked down my hard-earned dough, is to forego stuff like full suspension and disc brakes. In that price range, the money seems to be best spent on a solid hardtail frame with decent components, without diluting the 'value pool' with stuff like low-end disc brakes.

Just my $0.02.

Test ride a Tassajara. It gives you an enitrely different option in regards to bike fit. You might hate the thing you might love the thing.

Trek 4900 they give u good gurrantees. i got a year and a half from them, and 2 free tune ups.

i like the specialized better though. trek makes good bikes, but they tend to have higher prices. take the specialized.

No, go with the Trek.