That would suck. There are a small handful of Australian parts on my Vette though. I like Aussies though...you folks are willing fight along side us. (you build a mean Corvette tunnel-shaft too) ;)

The point isn't so much that something was built in the USA (Although I, and most of those unemployed folks out there, would rather have a job making $15 an hour in manufacturing than one making $8 in retail. Note: I do neither.), the point is that the company is US owned so more of the money goes back into you own economy.

Oh and chinese/tawaniese/indonesian/etc. made stuff is crap. Crap is what $0.50 an hour gets you. I had few pair of Converse Chuck Taylor All Stars(yea baby) from the last couple years of US production then they went to indonesian production but I bought a pair any way. Side by side the indonesian pair had uneven, wider stitching that wasn't as tight, the seams weren't as evenly/consistantly cut and the two year older, used, US made shoes out lasted the new indonesian pair by a large margin(finaly wore through the soles of the US pair), the glue was even inferior on the indonesian shoes.

Same goes for Levi's pants, after they moved production to south america I started finding all sorts of mis-cut jeans, no two I've tried on since[of the same model] were the same fit.

Japanese and European stuff is of ok quality because they make a decent wage but your money still takes a trip.(note shimano makes their lowend stuff outside Japan)


Anyhow back to the thread, I vote Cannondale, but specialized makes a fine ride as well.

i must admit i don't know a lot about the Cannondale Prophet.

but the 05 Specialized Enduro is an awesome bike!
it was actually one of my possible choices for my purchase Jan 05 (i bought a Kona Coiler-Delux - beefier and less expensive although MUCH heavier!)

my only real complaint with the Enduro is the inabilty to fully sink the seat b/c of the shock position (you can solve this with a double-telescoping seatpost)

i think the Enduro is about the best choice there is for a lightweight Enduro/Freeride bike -- under 33lbs, 5 to 6" travel (130-160mm)

is the Expert/Pro with the Fox 36 or Nixon fork?

I'd be willing to buy a cannondale frame, just not a bike.

The prophet 2000 is actually surprisingly well equiped. It has a fairly high price tag, but the XT brakes, the CARBON MAX fork and everything else about it really justifies the price.

I'd go with a prophet in your case...