idleuser

Within the next 2 months I'm looking into buying a hardtail (to compliment my full suspension). Well, actually I'm interested in turning up for some local "newb" races for fun, and my all-mountain isn't going to cut it =P The links will be from the places I'd be purchasing the bike.

So I've been eyeing these 3:

1) '06 Specialized Stumpjumper Disc:

https://kozy.com/itemdetails.cfm?cata...cedesc&id=4927

2) '06 Jamis Dakota Elite:

https://richardsbicycles.com/itemdeta...gId=39&id=6406

3) '06 Trek 8000:

https://richardsbicycles.com/itemdeta...gId=39&id=5930

And my interest in the 3 is in that particular order. Everyone will tell me to ride what's best (and I will) but I'd prefer some personal experience (instead of relying on MTBR). Any info on personal experience (particularly between the Specialized and Jamis) would be great. I already own a Trek so I'm used to their geometry.

Thanks.

Breitling

I'd say the Jamis. I've got an exile, and have never had a problem with it. One of my friends has a dragon
AL, and he loves his too.

concernicus

definitely go with the stumpjumper. it comes with a fox fork and avid discs. plus, i believe it was cheaper than the jamis. that should definitely be the bike you buy, hands down.

idleuser

One of the reasons the Jamis is on the list is b/c of the frame as well as the juicy 5's. It seems interesting w/ the carbon seatstays and obviously the brakes are better on the Jamis. But I'm not so sure about the wheels. Overall the Stumpjumper looks like a well balanced bike. Gotta ride em both obviously, but opinions are helpful... hehe.

I'm not too concerned about the fork differences. I've read that the R7 is pretty good, and I'm not a heavy guy so I'm assuming the performance between the R7 and Float would be similar for me.