After doing some soul searching I have decided in my price range a f/s is out of the picture. I really don't think I will be happy with the inferior components I would have to settle with if I go f/s. Anyways, I have looked at the following hardtail bikes: '03 Specialized Stumpjumper, '03 Giant XTC 2 (super light bike) and a '02 Klein Attitude. All three bikes felt pretty good while riding around the LBS parking lot. My concerns are making sure I get the best bike for the money and the best fit for my 6' 1" 200lbs frame. Any opinions on these three bikes? Should I look at something else?

Kevin

OK, i looked at these closely and here's my input

If you want the best frame the Klein is far and away the better bike. If you're looking at the component spec the specialized and giant are tied, although i give the edge to giant.
So value ranking it goes: Giant Specialized Klein
Frame ranking: Klein(++++) Specialized(++) giant(++) i give the edge to specialized though b/c the M4 frame is a lot stronger and is tubed thicker

Personally I like Giant. But then again I haven't even seen a Klein mountain bike so I can't vouch for the quality of frame.

For 1000 bucks all three of those bikes will have good components. I would also suggest Kona but I am biased because they are my frame of choice and have been riding their bikes since they first came out.
Of the 3 you mentioned I would choose Giant since that would be my second choice after Kona. I have also owned Giant bikes for the last 8 years and they held up well under the abuse I put them through. I owned one of their first carbon fiber mtb's and it lasted for 7 years of hard riding which included lots of jumps and drops and I am definitly a Clydesdale rider.
This is just my preferance and my expieriance with them.

Slainte

Skip on the Klein unless you are a finesse rider.

I would vote Specialized, because of the frame stiffness; it's stiff, but not too stiff (like maybe the Klein would be). (Ironic given that I ride a steel bike). At any rate, I'm about 6'2" with a 35" inseam and my Specialized fits me really well. I rode a Giant for years, but it's so old that I wouldn't want to use it as a comparison. I still think that Specialized builds better frames than Giant, but that may be a kind of old school bias.

You'll be set with any of the bikes, though. Solid frames all around, just differences in geometry and bike feel. Good luck!

Why would the Klein be only suited to a finesse rider? Comparing specs it would seem the Stumpjumper gives the most bang for the buck. How does the M4 frame compare to the Klein? Also, how much does the Stumpjumper weigh? The LBS put the Giant and Klein on a scale for me today and the Attitude came in at approx 27 lbs and the XTC 2 was right around 24.5 lbs. I'm sure over time I will be upgrading parts on whichever bike I buy because I'm a gadget freak so I really want to make sure I get the best frame for the money.

Kevin

Kleins are beautiful, light and fast but the frames are fragile. If you are an experienced rider with several bikes, I'd encourage you to add one to your stable. I fell in love with Klein years ago (I've owned several) but can't own a bike that breaks twice a year. A vote for Klein though, they always replaced them without question.

A 27lb Attitude!? Trek has definitely emasculated Klein. The first Klein I rode was in the early 90's. My buddy had to wait something like 3 months before the bike was delivered.

I guess 27lbs is heavy? The dealer put a Gaint Rainer on the scales and it almost hit 30 lbs. To be fair to the Klein their website lists the '02 Attitude at 26.3 lbs. Anyone have an idea what the '03 Stumpjumper weighs?

Kevin

Weight isn't a big deal, it makes you strong.

have you ever looked into a full suspension bike? i used to ride hard tail too until i got into the full suspension bikes. if u get a good bike thats dialed in for you then full suspension bikes are great for xc and most other kinds of riding. I got a devinci saguaro and i went from a giant rainier and id never go back. Just sumthing to look into.... think about it

I started out looking at f/s, but $1000 is the top of my budget and I don't think I can get much bike in a f/s for that price.

Kevin

Very wise decision. And you will be a better rider because of it

Um doesn't Giant build frames for specialized?

Oh a Stumpjumper M4 comes in at about 25 lbs. It has a 28 spoke front wheel, and the tubes are really light weight, so you know that you're going to put a $2 tube in first flat....

Id swear that the Klein would be about the same? But their frames are things of beauty!!

The StumpJumper and the XTC both have a Manitou Skareb fork w/lockout, rebound adjustment, and preload adjustment. They both are lightweight bikes - about 24 lbs.

The Attitude has a Rock Shox Duke fork and it's paint job is too pretty to get it scratched, but it does have a long top tube (24") like the StumpJumper; but, it is the heavier of the three bikes.

The XTC has the shortest top tube, so it is the best handler. The Stumpjumper beats the XTC at climbing, though.

My overall vote goes for the StumpJumper, then the XTC, and then the Klein. You are about the same height and weight as myself, and I own a Stumpjumper. You may want to consider the StumpJumper.

Test ride all three again, and make a wise decision.

Thanks for all of the insight about the three bikes I'm considering. After doing some more research I'm pretty well set on the Stumpjumper. I'm going to go back and ride it and the XTC again before making my final decision.

Kevin

Giant does not build Specialized's high end frames, if they build any at all for the Big S. And, as a few folks have mentioned, weight isn't a big deal. If you can spare some, lose it from your body. Much more rewarding than buying a crazy light bike.

Congrats on your decision, and enjoy the ride.

HI there,

For me, it'd be a close call between the Klein and Speccy bike. As previously stated, Kleins are works of art, but since being taken over by Trek, they aren't as desirable as they used to be (I too longed for a 1990 Klein Attitude)

Check out this great page about early Kleins mmm, mmm.

https://www.engr.psu.edu/ce/martin/ver3/attitude.htm

...the Specialized M4 frameset rocks, and was used as a Team Issue frameset not too long ago.

As for the Giant, I can't really comment as I've only ever ridden one once...but at te time, it seemed pretty cool.

Good luck with the Stumpy...as you say, it does bang for buck!

Rich

I raced the 2001 sj m4 com ht for a year and was very pleased with it. It was off the rack at 23 lbs and i'm pretty sure the new one is close to that because they were able lighten up the frame even more. ( i dont know the new frame weight but the old was only 2.9 lbs )

Giant! Trust me on this one. I just built up a 2003 XTC and I am in love with it.

Granted I built up from the frame and speced my own components, but the frame is the heart of the bike and the XTC geometry and weight are awesome.

And yes, weight DOES matter. A light bike not only feels more nimble and flickable, but is more efficient. Go do your favorite climb - now do it again with a 3lb weight on your bike. What does the stopwatch think?

My XTC:

I love weight weenies (no offence but an affectionate term). My ht weighs 36pnds and I plan to add another 2 pnds before the spring. The only thing I know is it won't break

Bigger riders should never worry about weight unless they race. XTR parts are overpriced and break just as easily as lx parts.

When I do hop on a 'racer' bike I smoke a lot of riders because that 10 o 12 pounds difference is that much easier.

Well I thought I had my mind made up until I came across the Rocky Mountain Stratos. Any opinions on this bike vs the XTC 2 and Stumpjumper?

Kevin

Its a xc bike. A good one. Light enough. If you want to do xc change the fork to something lighter I would think. You really have to decide on the geometry you think you will like (TEST DRIVE) and what kind of riding you are going to do.

I can't comment on the other 2 machines, but I currently own a '98 Klein Attitude and I love this bike. The frame with its internally routed cables, perfect welds and unmatched paint job is simply a work of art.

Good luck with your choice!

hey,
just went to the shop today and saw the 03 stumpy and XTC. The stumpy looks like a better bike