Originally Posted by ZeCanon
Sick bike... just sick. I'd want one
so then you end up with a Trek 9.8 worth probably... $1300??? on ebay. I'd research that to make sure everything would be economically viable
It would be kind of an odd bike so you might be better off selling the frame for $400 and the fork for $450 and then selling the parts individually. You'll have to do the math for that one too.
If that sounds like way too much work, I dont know what to tell you... that 9.8 build is really nice. Much nicer than the EX. But the EX frame would suit you so much better... so I think I'd go with the EX anyway.
ZeCanon, thanks so much for your input. It does sound like a lot of work and I'd have to get my LBS to do the labor, so maybe in the end it doesn't work out so well. Still leaning towards the EX 7 anyway. I test rode an EX 8 and I took the elite 9.8 for a spin. I am going to be in Denver in early March, so I am going to check out a few shops there to see if there is an EX7 available for a test ride.