Need advice on new rig.
 

I've been choosing between the Merida AM 800D and the Anthem 3. But when I went to the LBS last night to buy a copy of Dirt, they introduced me to a Iron Horse Warrior and they claimed that the 130mm Manitou Splice was from 2007. But when I went to the Manitou page, there was no 2007 model for the manitou splice. Is there such thing as a 2007 Manitou Splice Comp 130mm? And out of those 3 bikes which one would be the rig which would "bang the buck"?
And here are the specs for those bikes:

AM 800D:
http://www2.merida-bikes.com/en_INT/...f04087a5ff.jpg
FORK Rock Shox Tora 302 85-130 lockout
REAR SHOCK Rock Shox Ario 2.1
DERAILLEUR Shimano LX
SHIFTER Shimano LX radipfire
BRAKE LEVER Shimano LX
BRAKE Shimano LX Disc 203
CHAINWHEEL Shimano LX 44-32-22
HUB Shimano LX centerlock
SPOKES Stainless Black
RIM Alex Supra 4X disc
FREEWHEEL Shimano HG50-9 11-32
TIRE Maxxis Ignitor 2.35 KV
STEM XM Comp 10
SADDLE XM Comp
SEAT POST XM Comp SB20 31.6
PEDALS Shimano M505
WEIGHT 14.0 kg

Anthem 3:
http://www.giant-bicycles.com/_uploa...hem-3-Zoom.JPG
front fork XCR RL
rear shock GIANT MAESTRO-A
chain wheel TIEN-HSIN FSA CK-715D 22x32x44T
b.b. ISIS
cassette SRAM PG950 11-34T, 9 Speed
brake set AURIGA
d. lever Shimano Deore SL-M511
derailleur Front: Shimano Deore FD-M530
Rear: Shimano Deore RD-M511-SGS
speed 27 Speed
handlebar GIANT Alloy 25.4
stem GIANT Alloy
seatpost GIANT Alloy 30.9x350
saddle VL1127
pedals M20
wheel set
hubs FORMULA 24H
rims ALEX G2000
tires K1012 26x2.0
weight w/o padel 13.55KG (16")

Warrior (2006):
http://www.rscycle.com/site/image_br...r_prol_dis.jpg
# Rear Shock - FOX VANILLA R COIL, 7.5"X2"
# Fork - MANITOU SPLICE COMP, 130MM TRAVEL
# Handle Bar - TRUVATIV LE LOW RISE, 31.8MM CLAMP
# Stem - TRUVATIV XR 3D, 31.8 CLAMP
# Headset - ZERO STACK
# BB - FSA MEGAEXO
# Crank - FSA GAMMA
# RIngs - 44/32/22T STEEL
# Pedals - ALLOY PLATFORM
# Chain - SHIMANO HG-73
# Saddle - WTB PURE V SPORT
# Seatpost - ALLOY MICRO ADJUST
# Front Hub - ALLOY DISC, 32H
# Rear Hub - ALLOY DISC, 32H
# Front Derailleur - SHIMANO DEORE
# Rear Derailleur - SRAM X.7
# Shifter - SRAM X.7 TRIGGER
# Cassette - SRAM PG-950, 11/34T, 9 SPEED
# Brakes - AVID BB5 W/ 6" ROTOR
# Brake Lever - AVID FR-5
# Rim - WTB SX-24
# Spoke - 14G STAINLESS BLACK
# Tires - WTB WEIRWOLF 2.35

giant anthem3. easy one for me. its my future future bike.

i'm gonna take a anthem2 blue/white and switch out the fork for a fox f80. :] shexy.


EDIT: but now that i look more closely at the specs for the anthem 3, i wouldn't follow my suggestion. its just a love for giant anthems i have... the fork/shock and parts don't exactly look the best compared to the other bikes.

When you switch you fork, is it cashing in the old one so that the new one is cheaper?

I would say either the AM or the Anthem 3.

Wow I think I jsut feel in love with another rig, lol. The merida mission 2000V. But I think it would be way more expensive when compared to the am or anthem.

http://www2.merida-bikes.com/en_INT/...d4678320ce.jpg
FORK Manitou R7 Super 100 Lock out
REAR SHOCK X-Fusion LRS lockout
DERAILLEUR Sram X7
SHIFTER Sram X7 trigger
BRAKE LEVER Avid FR5
BRAKE Avid Single Digit 5R
CHAINWHEEL FSA V-Drive 44-32-22
HUB DT Swiss Cerit centerlock
SPOKES PSR14 Black
RIM DT Swiss X450
FREEWHEEL Sram PG-970 11-32
TIRE Maxxis Crossmark 2.1 kevlar
STEM XM Pro 6
SADDLE XM Comp
SEAT POST XM Comp SB20 31.6
PEDALS Shimano M520