c'dale f300 or specialized rockhopper?
 

Any siginificant differences between the two that would tip the scales? Also, anything else I should look at with a price point below $550 usd? Not looking to race but mainly have fun on the trails. Thanks.

Cannondale, lifetime frame warranty!

Dude...same with specialized...haha

Cannondale... Frame + lifetime warranty - anything quality = crap.
Specialized.... Frame + Lifetime warranty + awesomeness = Great bike.

Man, I can't believe I'm writing this, what with my history of defending C'Dale, but I wouldn't get a Cannonale unless it were a F1000 or above. C'Dale can't compete price wise with other manuf. for lower price points. That is unless you're a hardcore Patriot and must have a "Made in the U.S.A." frame!

Plus, the Specialized is a great bike!

L8R

Ha, I just sold a guy a RH A1 over the F300 in one easy step-put the Rockhopper next to last year's Stumpjumper. It's the SAME FRAME. Exactly the same construction, just made with the A1 alloy rather than the M4. The Specialized is a better value, IMHO.

:rolleyes:

Make fun of him if you like Jim, but I doubt the components listed in your sig came stock on your c-dales, right? Any particular reason you chose to replace the stock cra.. er, stuff?

Anyway... Who in their right mind puts a lifetime warranty on an aluminum frame? Stuff has a 7-8 year lifespan at best. ;)

Specialized switched from a lifetime to a 5 year warranty on their AL frames in 2001 I beleive, but have since switched back. Good move.

That aside, I'd go with Specialized. Besides the far far far better components, they have easily the BEST customer service. Regardless of the warranty limits, they happily replaced my Rockhopper frame after 8 years at no cost, no questions asked during the switch to the "5 year plan".

On top of all that, both my 93 and 2002 frames rode/ride like a champ.

Thanks for the advice. Looks like the group leans towards the rockhopper. A few mentioned the specialized has better components. Looking at the catalogs/website I cant seem to notice any big differences btw the two as far as components go. Any one care to elaborate? Also, I am not able to see them in person (small town, have to special order). Any comments on the whether to go burnt orange or metallic blue for the choice of color on the rockhopper? Finally, my bike shop will let me change parts out before they build it up. Any ideas on what if anything I should swap out and what I should get? I am hoping to keep costs down, but I can save money in the long run by replacing parts now instead of upgrading later. Thinking about changing the pedals (for clipless), wheel set, bars, and/or seatpost. Any specific ideas for the most bang for the buck? Thanks in advance.