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Old 07-22-04 | 04:48 PM
  #59  
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Raiyn
I drink your MILKSHAKE
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Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 15,061
Likes: 3
From: St. Petersburg, FL

Bikes: 2003 Specialized Rockhopper FSR Comp, 1999 Specialized Hardrock Comp FS, 1971 Schwinn Varsity

Originally Posted by wOo
Hello
I'm pretty new too biking, I've got a CCM Riptide right now that I've had for a few years cause I wasn't really into biking for the last few years, but for the last 3 months I've been riding the piss out of it
It's time for a new bike
The bikes I've been looking at are the(all 2004 models)

Trek 4500
Specialized Rockhopper
Kona Fire Mountain

All are within $50 of each other, so the price on them isn't really an issue. And having rode my CCM Riptide for the last 3 months through dirt, mud, snow, and pavement makes anything really ride like a dream. I haven't test ridden any of them yet, but I will, but the store is 2 hours away(going to be moving to the city in fall, so warranty/lbs help isn't an issue) So I only have 1 crack to do this.

My question is, if they all ride very similarly, and I can't really tell much of a different, which should I buy?
They're all great bikes, and would b e happy with any of them, from what I've learned from trolling around on this forum I'm thinking the rockhopper would probably be the best
Thanks for the help/suggestions If i get any

Oh yes, also, I'm 5'8" 180 right now, what size frame would you guys recommend?
I know the Kona and Trek go 16-18-20 and the Specialized go 15-17-19(please correct me if I'm wrong)
I'm mostly going to be doing rough terrain trail riding with this, and commuting 8km round trips to school each day

Thanks
Comparisons have been made in this thread involving the 4500 vs Rockhopper on the basis of spec in which the Rockhopper beat out the 4500 due to better components. In terms of the Fire Mountain vs. the Rockhopper: the Rockhopper eats the Kona's lunch at this price point hands down.

Edit Just noticed the Hardrock if you're talking about the Hardrock Comp model that's compareable to the other two bikes on your list if not then....
I'd hold out for the Rockhopper as it only takes a couple days to get bikes in.
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