Mountain Biking - Kula, Stumjumper Comp or Giant XTC1?

HI all,

Which would you's recommend:

Kona Kula 04 (Easton frame, XT rear, raceface evolve XC front mech, Fox Vaniila forxs)
Stumjumper Comp 04 (XTR rear, LX front mechs, Fox forx RL, deore brakes)
Giant XTC1 04 (XT rear, XT hollowtech 2 front mechs, Skareb forks, gobi wingflex saddle)

Im in 3 minds at the moment.

Cheers.

I have the Stumpjumper Comp ('04) but I would definately recommend getting the rim brake version. If you get the rim brake version, you get a Fox F80x which is a $775 fork with the Terralogic intertia valve. Or hmm, you can get crappy low end disc brakes with a $450 fork. See what I'm saying?

The Stumpjumper handles amazingly well, and if you get the Fox F80x fork, it blows away what any other bike is coming with in that price range. Specialized's geometry doesn't work for everyone but if you are like me with long arms, it will be perfect. The handling from my perspective is nothing short of amazing.

The XTC is ok, not a bad frame, but a Skareb? Sorry, but they suck, and forks are expensive to upgrade after you have the bike.

Kula I'm sure is a nice bike, but Kona has never impressed me with their XC bikes... the geometry never feels right to me for climbing/racing. I think part of it might be their shorter top tubes which don't work for me at all.

I
Kula I'm sure is a nice bike, but Kona has never impressed me with their XC bikes... the geometry never feels right to me for climbing/racing. I think part of it might be their shorter top tubes which don't work for me at all.

Kona's are not noted for their short Top Tube, so you either had a frame too small, or wrongly set up. For those of us that have Kona's, they are ideal bikes, so get a ride on one to see how it feels

Kona's are not noted for their short Top Tube, so you either had a frame too small, or wrongly set up. For those of us that have Kona's, they are ideal bikes, so get a ride on one to see how it feels

I've never had the sense of a short top tube on my '05 Kula, either. The Easton Ultralight race tubing is awesome and the 100mm Fox Vanilla fork is perfect for me. I find my Kula to be very flickable without being the least bit twitchy and it climbs like a rocket! :D

Kona's are not noted for their short Top Tube, so you either had a frame too small, or wrongly set up. For those of us that have Kona's, they are ideal bikes, so get a ride on one to see how it feels

They are shortER (in comparison to my Stumpjumper) I never said they are short.

Or you could get the Stumpjumper comp disk.....and get a Stratos ID cart. for the Fox fork....or a Mojo cart.

Or buy some used Avid Mechs for the Comp......ITS A WORLD OF POSSIBILITIES!!!1111

I feel like WIlly WOnkaa!

Well since both of the other two bikes have already have comments made i should probably say something about the xtc 1. I havent ridden one myself (i have an xtc 2 le) but i was chatting to someone at my lbs who has one and it has been performing really well. In saying that though i have heard alot of good things about the Kona

I think you have to ride them because the Specialized and Kona are very different fits. If you are tall like me, I think you will find the Stumpjumper to be a better fit. I found the Kona to be too cramped for my taste. It's a personal thing...all are great bikes.