Gary Fisher choices
 

Ok, I'm looking at upgrading from my Specialized Hard Rock comp. I have owned this bike for around 5 years. I have been out of biking for the past 3-4 years or so. I am now getting back in and I wan't to get a better bike. My uncle owns a bike shop and the brands he has are what I have to buy. Mainly because he would hate me if I bought something else. He has Specialized, Trek, and Gary Fisher. I have been looking into bikes from all three of the companies. The two bikes that I have narrowed it down to are the Gary Fisher Cake series, or the Gary fisher Sugar series. I don't know which one I should get. I know what I wan't to do , and the cake is my overall choice, but If the sugar can do the same things, then I would like the 29" wheels(I think). Can the Sugar take drop offs and jumps, like all mountain riding stuff. I just wish they made a 29" wheel version of the cake, then that would be without question I would wan't.
Make note that I haven't tried any of these bikes. I will be going to my uncles shop tomorrow, so I can try them out. I haven't talked to him about the bikes yet, so I just thought I'd ask for some input from people here.

Thanks

Sugars are a really bad design, honestly. In the past two months we have seen four of them break in the exact same spot (on the shock mount under the top tube). For one of the owners this is his third Sugar. Long and short of it is that the bike will NOT hold up to hard abuse. I even hesitate to recommend the Cake for drops and jumps--when it comes down to it the Cake is a long travel XC bike. A better bike for this would be the Specialized Enduro, which seems to be a bit beefier and built for light freeride while still be a good trail riding platform.

ok thanks, What about the trek Liquid? I will be doing some light drops (not exceeding 5') and small jumps. I really don't want my bike to go breaking on me though, I like anything I buy to take more than I throw at it. Any other sugestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Enduro is the only bike in your category I would recommend with certainty, but a Liquid could maybe do the job. I think an Enduro is still a good all around choice though... beefy + fairly XC friendly.

The liquid is kind of like the cake with it being a long travel xc bike.

If I do in the end decide to go with a hardtail, would you reccomend the Specialized Rockhopper Pro Disc?

Good bike, safe bet.

i love treks, but i have a Cannondale jekyl 600 dual suspension with lockouts. I really enjoy the ride. Very responsive and light for a mtn bike. I still have my Gary Fisher Kiata front suspension, Fisher's are fine.