I've been looking at bikes alot recently and I had planned on doing this thread for a long time. Since Im bored at the moment, I figured Id make it now. Below, are all the bikes I want to test ride, and hopefully purchase one of. The brands - specialized, trek, kona, and santa cruz. Im looking for a cross country bike, whose geometry allows my back to not be hunched over so much. My friend has a 4900 and it feels like Im not hunched over on it at all when Ive rode it. So basically based on the pricing, just let me know which bikes your fond of and why. Also I may have the potential for a substancial amount of money soon.

Retail values-
Trek- 4900 (619.99)/ 6500 disc (909.99) / bruiser 2 (not sure, but I like this bike)

kona- caldera (899.00)/ kikapu (999.00)/ kikapu delux (1299.00)

Specialized- hardrock pro disc (700-750 not sure) rockhopper comp disc (880.00)/ rockhopper pro disc- all mountain (1100.00)/ rockhopper pro disc (1100.00)
Ive found the all mountain and pro disc for 999.00 at a lbs

Santa cruz superlight D ( I believe its 1599.00 not sure)

Below are pics of all the bikes in order of me having posted them.

Each name links to where you can see the geom specs and component lists. Its ok if you don't want to look over every bike, just let me know which you prefer out of the bunch and why.

the o6 kona looks like it got a component downgrade. and the shock was swithed to a coil, no good for xc. rockhopper is more of an all mountain/trail bike. a giant trance is a good bike, i was thinking of getting one and now looking back i think i should have. i was hesitant about the meastro though, but it has proved itself. the santa cruz looks like a nice bike.

Well at specialized it says for the rockhopper heading- xc trail hardtail fun and durable off road performer. I'd love to have something over 80mm in the front. 100 minimally, the all mountain has a 130mm bomber. Id like something a bit stronger than a classic xc bike, that can handle some rocky trail use if you get what I mean. The kikapu dlx has an air shock, and I think it has lockout. If I get a dualie xc bike I want lockout.

By design, XC bikes have you more bent over and stretched out. If you want to be less hunched over, then get something with a shorter top tube and more slack head/seat tube angles. That'll likely be a bike classified as All Mountain or Freeride.

I know, but what Im saying Is Ive ridden an 04 4900 and a 6500 and neither of them feel like Im hunched over too much. I mean I don't mind being hunched over some, just with my current bike my seat is 2-3 inches over the handle bars and my back starts hurting.

I plan on test riding all these bikes to see which feels like Im not too hunched over. I just want to know which bikes based on components and frame quality you guys like the best.

That's strange because between there is a big difference in top tube length between the 4900 and 6500. For equivalent sized bikes, you should have felt more stretched out on the 6500. But something must be really wrong with the setup/fit of your current bike. Do you have any pictures of you on it that shows your seated position?

Haven't you seen pics of my current bike. The top tub is barely angles up at all. Thats why I have the bar riser on there which helps but still makes me really hunched over. I said the 4900 and 6500 are similar, I like the 4900 feeling better though.

Do you stretch-out and warm-up at all before riding? I have 3 discs in my lower back that were herniated two and a half years ago, my seat is 4-5 inches higher than my grips ,and I ride with little to no pain from my back. I really wish you had a digital camera (so we could see your riding position) . Something just isn't right that you are in pain.

Im going to class right now, but I have a camera Ill just get on the bike with jeans on so you can see when I get back in a few hours.

Stumpjumper..oooo...oooo....oooo!!!!

If those felt good, they would be at the top of my list for that reason. In fact they seem a level below some of the other bikes from other manufacturers up there (price-wise)...you should also try a 6700, maybe even an 8000, and a Fuel 70 and 80. I just recently rode a 6700 briefly and it felt a lot nicer then the 6500 for some reason...

what he said ^^^^^ stumpie

The Scott Scale's are a good ride too. Particularly the Limited..

Are you calling me "stumpie"?.... :( :D

Trek Bruiser 2's perform AMAZINGLY on trails. They are somewhat short, so they are easy to bunnyhop, and the big tires make riding over anything on the trails a breeze. Check out mine. (click 'My baby' in my sig)

I would consider the Santa Cruz if you are going squishy.

Why?

Weight would be one thing.

Being a bit heavier doesn't make a coil shock "no good" for xc riding, especially at the price points being discussed.

There really isn't anything wrong with using a coil shock for xc purposes.

Um, you should really look at the Stumpjumper. http://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCBkM...keTab=techspec
Very similar geometry to the 4500, but with a sweet fork and overall a great component spec. Try the Trek 6700 if you can't afford the Stump.

you probably should decide whether you want a hardtail or a squishy first before you go any further. then allocate a budget and accordingly start testing bikes. the way you have it now, with so many bikes up there, it is really hard to compare, mainly because you give no parameters inside of which one can compare. the bruiser for instance i would not consider if you want a pedalling trail bike with not much street use intended. also, it is not possible to compare a hardtail to a squishy. atleast i dont think so.

having said all that, if i had a decent (realistic) amount of money right now, and if the bike fit right, i would probably buy a iron horse mkiii if i was buying a fully. and if i had to buy a hardtail all over again, i would go with a santacruz chameleon or something similarly versatile. my present hardtail is fine though, i like how i sit on it, though i dont like the tire clearance it has. have fun shopping man!

yes, yes i am... not :D :D

I wanted a Stumpy to go with my Roubaix but they're horribly overpriced for the spec over here so I went with a Giant xtc 2. Fantastic spec for the price. Now that I'm used to it, it's a great performer as well. My only complaint would be flex in the bb when hammering out of the saddle. But coming from road bikes, perhaps that's an issue common to all mtbs?