Bay Area / Which of these would you recommend for local trail ripping?

[dickshoulders]

Hey Y'all!

I am at a bit of a crossroads (no pun intended) and am hoping to get some help here.
I live in Northern California (the Bay Area, Berkeley/ Oakland specifically).
I am an avid roadie and am looking to take advantage of some of the trails in our area.
I am seriously in the market for a new bike and I've narrowed it down to a few (all complete bikes, based on specs, price and very limited test rides).

Santa Cruz Heckler
Kona Honzo
2012 Cannondale Flash Alloy 29er 3

I know these are all very different bikes… I am trying to narrow this down based on the terrain and which bike would be most suitable for the riding in this area.

Other than riding around the block near a bike shop/ parking lot, there is no way for me to really test 'em all out to compare in real life situations.

Basically, I just want to have a lot of fun ripping around.

One thing I was considering is that I will probably be actually riding the bike to the trails (as opposed to driving to the trail w/ bike in vehicle)… like up Old Tunnel road and all of that. Not sure if it would really matter, but the Honzo is a 1-9 (no front derailleur) and is also like 33 pounds. Seems like it would be a lot of fun in the dirt though!

So yah, a full suspension AM, a steel hard tail kinda dirt jumpin' 29'er or a XC 29er… what do you guys/ gals think?

Thanks!
DS

[CalvinAtWS]

Ibis Mojo HD or SL. The best Mountain Bike in the world.

[dickshoulders]

Ibis Mojo HD or SL. The best Mountain Bike in the world.

Gorgeous... but way out of my price range! I'm trying to stay under 2K...

[DG Going Uphill]

Consider a cyclocross bike, especially now that SRAM has hydraulic road brake levers coming this summer.

[DRietz]

As a high school cross country racer, I'm gonna have to go with the cross country 29er.

Easily the best combination of ride and speed for any local trails. People argue that a 26er is more nimble, but I'm a mere 125pounds and whip around my 29er on a regular basis.

If you need more convincing, hit me up. I just need to sleep right now - so much schoolwork. My brain is fried.

Oh and if you want to keep it under 2k, there are far better options out there but they require piecing this puppy together and hunting for deals. It's the route I'd take. Stock bikes...lame.

[rydaddy]

Ibis Mojo HD or SL. The best Mountain Bike in the world.

You nailed it.