Originally Posted by wvxc
My FSR xc came with a Tora 318 which is air, and the 07 comes with a Recon which is air also. The rear is an X fusion 02rc which has been flawless for me. I will add that you need to keep it lubed with slick honey every 2 or 3 rides. The lock out is superb and bob is minimal. I changed the pedals to Crankbrothers Candies and mine comes in at just under 29 lbs. All this goes for the Comp model. It has been the right bike for me.
The Stumpy is a fine bike too, and you can hardly go wrong with either of them.
Specialized lists the FSRxc as spec'd with "Rock Shox Recon 335, 100mm, fixed coil, lock out, turnkey damper, ext rebound adj, alloy steerer". Looking at the Sram site, they do have a coil spring shock. There's nothing wrong with coil but air is more adjustable, especially if you are at the extremes of the shock design, i.e. light weight or heavy weight.
You are right that it would be hard to go wrong with either bike.