Everyone has a different opinion on this but here is mine.


The two things your going to NOT change are the frame and fork (some will change the fork but those are expensive).


That said. I'd sooner take a Beatiful Titanium frame (extreme example here) with shimano altus (CRAP) and a 'rochi fork. Over say a bike from k-mart with XTR everything.


Why? Because I enjoy replacing parts on my bike with better ones, as they break. If you plan to just replace what you get now with the same stuff etc; and need a happy medium then I would say something like a Rock Shox Judy (any of the Judy forks) with Deore would be a great setup (if you can find anything like that in your price range) disc brakes dont really matter.

It all depdns on your budget do you have a total max you can spend in USD or CDN I'm sure we can point you in the direction of a couple of bikes spec'd out nicely. I wouldn't touch the raleigh and the trek is...just not my style.


CK