Thanks for the added input. I'm still waiting to hear from the bikeshop about them trying to get the 23 in. I don't think I can make a decision until I at least try it out - of course it will be hard for me to walk away since they are having the damn thing delivered and built just to see if I like it. I mean - if it fits, I can't imagine walking away after all the trouble they'll have been through! Then again - they offered, so hey - "buy what you like."

Something about the way that Marlin shifted, it felt a bit smoother then the Rockhopper and I can't get it out of my head. If the feel of that Rockhopper isn't PERFECT - then I'll probably be purchasing a Marlin. At some point you just gotta pull the trigger already, I'm missing some good riding time!

One thing to mention - if anyone has any thoughts on this - one of the workers at the bikeshop said they would only recommend Specialized and Kona for today's bikes (he knew I was looking for hardtails only, so I assume he meant hardtails only). Obviously this was his response to me saying I was torn between his Rockhopper and a Marlin, and he started bashing Gary Fisher saying they were great in the 90s, but since Trek bought them they've lost their luster. I do sales for a living, and I make a point to never bash the competition, so it turned me off a little when he did. I thought I'd mention that here to see if there might actually be some truth to it and not just some cheap answer to get me to buy his bike. I guess I should say that it wasn't the sales guy I was working with, rather one of the other workers who was asking me about the test drive when I got back to the shop.