So the wife finally settled on the 2011 GF Marlin. I don't get it, but she feels comfortable on a 600mm top tube.

As for me, I'm eyeing the 2011 GF Cobia
I like the bike, I like the fit, I like the price.
BUT...

There's a GT Karakoram 1.0 that's $250 less.
Is there anything I should know about the GT brand, before I make a decision?
Or about GF?
I know GT have been bought by some toy making company, and that GF have been consolidated into Trek.
But is GT any good still? Can I trust the frame, more than anything else?

Appreciate any input on this.


Cobia
http://tinyurl.com/6z483vw

------------------
Frame
6061 T6 aluminum, butted & hydroformed tubing, cold-forged dropouts & bottom bracket, G2 29" Geometry
Front suspension
RockShox Recon 29 w/Solo Air, TurnKey lockout, custom G2 Geometry, 51mm offset crown, 100mm travel
Sizes
15.5, 17.5, 19, 21, 23"

Wheels
Shimano M475 hubs; Bontrager Ranger 29 Disc 32-hole rims
Tires
Bontrager 29-2, 29x2.1"

Shifters
SRAM X.5, 9 speed
Front derailleur
Shimano Deore
Rear derailleur
SRAM X.7
Crank
Shimano Alivio, 44/32/22
Cassette
SRAM PG-950 11-34, 9 speed
Pedals
Wellgo LU-216A
Headset
1-1/8" threadless, semi-integrated, semi-cartridge bearings
Brakeset
Promax Hornet hydraulic disc brakes, 6-bolt; 160mm rotors



Karakoram
http://tinyurl.com/5saxyo2

----------------------
Type of Frame

NEW 29" WHEEL, HYDROFORMED, 6061-T6 ALUMINUM, TRIPLE TRIANGLE DESIGN, W/ ZEROSTACK HEAD TUBE, DISC MOUNT, REPLACEABLE DERAILLEUR HANGER

Fork
ROCKSHOX RECON SILVER TK 29" SOLO AIR, 100mm TRAVEL, STEEL STANCHION, MAGNESIUM LEG, W/ REBOUND ADJUST & LOCKOUT
Crank
SHIMANO FC-M430, OCTALINK, 44/32/22T
Bottom Bracket
SHIMANO BB-ES25
Shifters
SRAM X.5, TRIGGER
Cog Set
SHIMANO CS-HG30-9, 9 SPEED, 11-34T
Chain
HG53
Front Derailleur
SHIMANO ALIVIO, FD-M430
Rear Derailleur
SRAM X.7, LONG CAGE, CARBON
Rims
ALEX TD24, 29", 32H
Front Hub
ALL TERRA ALLOY DISC, W/ QUICK RELEASE
Rear Hub
ALL TERRA ALLOY CASSETTE DISC, W/ QUICK RELEASE
Spokes
14G STAINLESS
Nipples
BRASS
Tires
KENDA SMALL BLOCK EIGHT, 29x2.1", 60TPI
Front Brake
SHIMANO BR-M445, W/ 180mm ROTOR
Rear Brake
SHIMANO BR-M445, W/ 160mm ROTOR
Brake Levers
SHIMANO BL-M505
31.8mm CLAMP
Headset
FSA NO.11N 1 1/8" THREADLESS, ZEROSTACK