Mountain Biking - buying new bike - confused!

i'm going to buy a new bike (hardtail) but i have to say i'm totally lost.
i'm pretty sure that if i just buy any bike in my price range i'll be happy but i just want to make sure that there's nothing important i should look out for.
i found a good bike shop who stocked marin, specialized and trek bikes. the guy seemed to want to sell me a specialized based on the fact that it had XT gears instead of LX gears for the same price as the marin next to it. now i know that XT are higher up in the range but what is the difference? will i notice any when i test the two bikes?
i don't fancy using clipless or pedals with clips, so what kind of platforms should i look for? or is this a silly request for these kind of bikes.

the two bikes i'm looking at are
marin nail trail
http://www.marin.co.uk/marin-2002/ht/nailtrail.htm

specialized rockhopper a1 pro fs
http://www.specialized.com/SBCBkModel.jsp?san=RockhopperA1ProFS&browselevel=mountainbikes (the second asks for region but i think the link still works)

thanks.

Either choice is a good bike. The Marin has cable actuated discs, and I don't know much of the brand, so that could be a good thing or a bad thing. I just don't know w/o looking at em.

The Specialized has Vee brakes and those will be more that enough unless you're riding a lot of downhill or extremely muddy conditions.

Take both of them out for a test ride and buy the one that's most comfortable.

L8R

I have a spec A1 FS comp from 2OO1 the frame is still in great shape but I'm kicking my @$$ I didn't go for the the pro waqy better components haven't rode it for a while those cause I gotta new steed:cool:

The specailized looks loads better than the Marin, the Marin has really sucky colours. Id go with the Specailized on looks alon over the Marin + it does have the XT components which is a bonus

I went to test ride a Specialized A1 pro FS last week... Awesome! :D
I'm harrasing my banker to get one...
It's ligth, smooth, comfy, looks nice and has sweet specs...

I tried the disc version but will go for the Vee-brakes, as I mainly do XC.

I reckon the extra £100 or so for a Specialized are well worth it (especially as it has XT + RockShox or Marzo).

The best is to go and try both bikes to get your own idea.

Julien

i'd definatly go with the specialized rockhopper, especially me being a specialized fan.

If your doing xc riding though, i stronly suggest getting clipless pedals.

You could also check out Orange bikes' line of products.

Ms. Isle (http://www.orangebikes.co.uk/2002BIKES/msisle.html) looks preety good with room for future upgrades.