Specialized Crosstrail Comp or Cannondale Bad Boy Ultra?!?
 

I'm looking to get a new bike. I like both of these in either the '08 or '09 models. Can't decide on either. I am not certain on the quality of the components on each of these bikes. Are they worth the dough too? Crosstrail $1050, Bad Boy $1350. Can all of you fine folks help me out. Thank you.

Ok. Since so many are interested. How about a Cannondale F3 vs a Specialized Rockhopper Pro? Your comments are much appreciated.

Cannondale, just because the Headshok is a really slick piece of work. Having adjustable damping (not simply lockout, but the "speed" of the suspension) is a plus, too. The internals might be built by Fox now, too, but don't quote me on that; I might be thinking of their Lefty line and getting them mixed up.

There's nothing wrong with the mechanical brakes on the Crosstrail, but, IMO, hydraulics are really nice. On three of my bikes, I have BB5, BB7 and Juicy 3 -- and I would upgrade the BBx's to Juicies ;) if I had to choose.

Where are you going to be riding?

Great,my long post just got eaten for some reason.

Ok,short version,own 2 BBU's,owned a Crosstrail. BBU lighter,better brakes,better fork. Would go with the '09 BBU w/hydro discs.

Thank you...
 

I would like to thank all of you fine folks who have contributed your opinions to this questions and various others. I recently picked up a Cannondale F3 :thumb: which appeared to me to be very comparable to the Bad Boy with exception to the tires of course. Now the fun can begin. :D Thanks again.

Yup, it is -- I think the tires are effectively the only difference. I'll bet that, if you needed to, you could swap 700c wheels onto the F3 and it'll be nearly identical to the Bad Boy except in its color scheme (I can fit my BB's 700x28 wheels & tires onto my Rush with zero problems ;)).

Whatcha gonna do with it now?

I love my Crosstrail - a really nice, do it all bike.

Once I can get over the fear of being clobbered over the head for my bike I am going to start riding where ever I can. I rode to Home Depot not to long ago. My objective is to ride in the Unity Tour next year which goes from NYC to Washington D.C. Also here where I live, Elizabeth, NJ, we have a 12 to 15 mile tour called the "Tour de Elizabeth" that will be on my list also. I know a mountain bike is not the ideal for either of these, but since I am not on any team and mountain bike frames are more durable I figured going with mountain bike would be the best for me. Several people who have ridden in the Unity Tour have shared stories with me about people who use road bikes. Apparently road bikes get flats much more often than people who use mountain bikes, some people have gotten their wheels stuck in bridge joints and have had quite a bit of trouble with this. My over all plan is to start with this bike, the F3, and then work my way to a road bike. I would like to own one, one day. Of course I'll always keep the F3.

I must say I have learned lots from this BB. I saw the pics of your bikes, BarracksSi, they look very cool.

Thanks; they may look nice, but that's the best that I can do with them so far -- I can match colors well. I just need to get faster.. ;)