Mountain Biking - Question about specialized p2 and other "dj" bikes

I've been looking to purchase a new bike (coming from a bmx history) and was wondering how well bikes such as the Kona Shred, Specialized P. 2, and the Trek Bruiser 2 performed on the trails? I'm not looking for doing any "hardcore drops" or anything but I really like the geometry of the frames for these bikes and think they look awesome. If these bikes do well on trails, would you recommend them over the Specialized Rockhopper or Hardrock series? I'm really just looking for a bike that I can ride around town and still be able to goto the Trails with and I know the Hardrock series says it is ment for that but I'm really attracted to the frames of the p2, shred, and bruiser2 so I was wondering if they'd be able to do the same things as the Hardrock/Rockhopper + some.

Thanks for the help!

I have a Kona Shred...don't know much about the other ones, but isn't the p.2 a strictly street and urban bike? maybe I am wrong, and it wouldn't surprise me. I love my Shred. I take mine up on the trails some times, seems to hold up really well but I use it for the most part street and my town bike.

No one will know anything about the Trek bruiser 2 performance, It's new for 2005. I would say go with the p.2 or the Shred, both exellent bikes, and yes, they both can handle freeride. The p.2 and Shred also have the advantage because they have been around for a while, and they have proven their strength and ability. I would say stay away from the Bruiser just for the sheer fact that it is the first Trek to enter the dirt jump scene.

No the P2 is not strictly a DJ/Urban bike. It's th same frame as the P3 and I know alot of people who race P3's in DH and they kick ass and to a lesser extent a few people race P2's.

p.2/3...seriously...p's rules...they have xc, dj, fr, dh strenths...its the best bike you can get for the price.

The p.2 has a well deserved reputation. The bruiser 1 is at $368 with disk hubs and a triple. Throw on Avid disks and your good. You can also get your local bike shop to keep it if you don't like it, because once you see and ride one it is pretty obvious it is not going to stay in the store long.

There is not anything out there that touches that bike for value - and if the frame breaks in a year or two or three they will send you a a new one with all the design impovements cranked in.

The outer tire diameter is 3/4 of an inch bigger than other tires.

No water bottle bosses, but duct tape might get it done if you are desperate.

Santa Cruz Bicycles (http://www.santacruzmtb.com) just came out with a dirt jump-specific bike, the "Jackal" (http://www.santacruzmtb.com/bicycles/jackal.php)

When i get my p, I'll order (well bike shop will) a p3 frame with p2 components(hopefully it's possible). Just like white color......

Don't forget about the Giant STP series.

have a Kona Scrap, and it's a bit heavy, but I've done some pretty big climbs on it to trailheads, and on trails, and it does great on the downhills. I don't even dirt jump the thing, just use it as basically a hardtail freeride bike.

my LBS told me that they only like to carry the P2 because it has such a good balance of components for the price.

I will have to say that it's close. 2005 and 2004 matter though. Generally in 2004, p.2 beats the shred straight up but it comes at a price. However, in 2005


Osiris, what you say can be correct, but if you think the p.2 can go xc, the shred will too. The thing is, they're made to dj and urban. They are hardcore hardtails. Generally, the 2 have roughly the same frame strength. Personally, I think the p.2 is stronger, just because of the welds. I think the Specialized p2 in 2005 has a better bottom bracket, a gigapipe. But, it has crappy brakes. I mean they're HMX2 XC. My shimanos are actually pretty good. You don't have to squeeze hard at all and you'll stop easily. But, they don't have as good modulation as hydraulics, from what I hear. The new shred is also lacking in the drive train department.

Keep this in mind though, Kona only has a 1 year defect warranty on frames but has a lifetime CRASH replacement. That means you get the frame back for what Kona pays for your frame, if you do destroy your frame. Plus shipping. It's good. However, specialized only carries a life time DEFECT warranty meaning abuse=no warranty.
The p2 also has a boxguide and a whole lot of goodies.


Had I had the money, I would've gotten a p.2 (don't blam me kona fans). But, they were too expensive for me. The p.2 is a better value, better bike that I find is just overall better.

PS: Kona sucks on drivetrain SO BADLY. I mean this year they put an altus on a 900CDN bike. That's insanely BAD of them. When I get the money I will upgrade my drive train.

The freeride hardtails thread up near the top has a lot of other bikes you can consider also.