I'm asking a question for a friend. He has been on the search for a new bike and after weeks of research and test rides, he has decided on the Giant VT 2 ($2300) or Specialized Enduro($2500)
Both Canadain prices. The VT 2 is on sale from $2600. He is stumped! Both are very similar in ride and geometry and he likes the ride of both. He has spent many hours on line reading anything he could find on them. The VT 2 comes with better components for the price but the VT series is brand new this year so he is worried about durability. The specialized is a new frame this year but it is a specialized frame and a tried and tested suspention set up where as the VT 's swinger shock is new.
Here are the specs of both bikes.

Giant VT 2

color Team Blue
size 16.5", 18.5", 20.5", 22.5"
frame ALUXX SL FluidForm aluminum, Varible Terrain Suspension System, integrated gussets, 5/5.75" adjustable rear travel
fork RockShock Psylo XC w/U-Turn, 3-5" travel
rear derailleur Shimano LX
front derailleur Shimano Deore XT
derailleurshifters Shimano Deore LX, 9-speed
cranks RaceFace Prodigy XC ISIS Splined, 22/32/44T
pedals Shimano M505 Clipless
handlebar Titec Hellbent XC, 6061 butted
stem Titec Big Al
headset FSA Integrated, cartridge bearings
Levers Avid AD3
brakes Avid CPS Disc, 6" rotors
saddle WTB Speed V
seatpost Titec X-Wing, 27.2
rims Mavic X223 Disc, 32H
hubs Shimano Deore Disc, 32H, QR, casset
tires Hutchinson Scorpion, 26x2.0"
rearshock Manitou Swinger Air SPV
cassette Shimano Deore HG-50 11-34T, 9-speed
spokes Stainless Steel, 14-15G butted
additional Shock Pump

Specialized Enduro

FRAME Specialized FSR technology, A1 Premium Aluminum TransForm Monocoque frame, ORE technology down tube, full sealed cartridge bearing pivots, ITch Switch 100/130mm on the fly adjustable travel, replaceable derailleur hanger

REAR SHOCK Fox Float R, air spring and rebound adj., travel adjust ITch Switch, 7.625" x 2.0"

FORK Marzocchi MX Comp, 100mm travel, 1 coil spring, 1 air spring, internal rebound adj., Cr-Mo steerer

HEADSET 1 1/8" Threadless, 3x sealed, black alloy cups, cartridge bearings, ultralight alloy top cap and bolt

STEM Aluminum, 4 bolt, 7 degree rise, black

HANDLEBARS Specialized Enduro Mid Rise bar, 6066 Alloy, 6 degree upsweep, 8 degree backsweep, 640mm width

TAPE / GRIPS Specialized MTB grip, black, double density Kraton

FRONT BRAKE Hayes HFX-9 full hydraulic disc, 6" rotor (Note: Some bikes appear with Shimano M-525 disc brakes)

REAR BRAKE Hayes HFX-9 full hydraulic disc, 6" rotor (Note: Some bikes appear with Shimano M-525 disc brakes)

BRAKE LEVERS Hayes HFX-9 (Note: Some bikes appear with Shimano M-525 disc)

FRONT DERAILLEUR Shimano M-510 Deore, 34.9 clamp, bottom pull

REAR DERAILLEUR Shimano M-750 XT

SHIFT LEVERS Shimano M-510 Deore, 9 speed

CASSETTE Shimano HG-50, 11/34

CHAIN Shimano HG-73

CRANKSET Specialized Strongarm 7050, XT Spline

CHAINRINGS 44Ax32Sx22S, 7050 alloy 4mm thick outer ring, 4 bolt 104/64mm pattern, Steel chainring bolts

BOTTOM BRACKET Shimano ES-30 Octalink spline, 68mm shell width, 113mm spindle length

PEDALS Shimano 515 clipless

RIMS Mavic X139 disc, 26", black, machined sidewalls

FRONT HUB Specialized Stout Disc, 32 hole, cartridge bearings, 9mm Skraxle

REAR HUB Shimano M-525 Disc, 32 hole, loose ball bearings, alloy Q/R

SPOKES 1.8mm black stainless, brass nipples, 264/261mm front, 261/260mm rear

FRONT TIRE Specialized Enduro Pro 2.2", Kevlar bead, 120 tpi

REAR TIRE Specialized Enduro Pro 2.2", Kevlar bead, 120 tpi

TUBES Specialized Ultralight, presta valve

SADDLE Specialized Body Geometry technology, steel rails

SEAT POST 2014 Alloy, black, 30.9 x 350/400mm

SEAT BINDER Alloy collar with Q/R, 34.9mm clamp I.D., black

NOTES Chain stay/seat stay protector, derailleur protector, seatpost water bottle mount, reflectors, owners manual


So anybody have any opinions? Anybody hear anything bad or good about either bike?

Sorry about the long Post!

Thanks