Hi folks-

I really need some input from people who have been riding for a while. I've been riding a Specialized Rockhopper ('97) rigid for about 2 years, the last year of which I've been riding mt bike trails for the first time. I'm a novice for sure, but I'm learning.

I'm older-37, knee and some back issues, but I work out 5-6 times a week and stay in reasonably good shape.

I'm considering an entry level bike that has at least front suspension because my tris and shoulders can't take the shock anymore jumping over logs.

My budget is around $800.

These are the 3 i'm considering.

Trek Fuel 70. Dual suspension. Air shock vs. a coil spring should help on climbs but still absorb some rear bumps and help on downhills. Black on black color scheme kicks ass. V brakes Yes, color is making a difference in my search.

Specialized FSR XC. Dual suspension. Springy. I was okay with the ride, but the seat was too high on the demo and the shop couldn't let me test a lower one. V brakes.I HATED the color. Looks like a kids bike. Still, a coil spring pivot suspension should be much better for my back.

Specialized Rockhopper Pro Disc

I love my current rockhopper so I'm drawn to this one. Compnentry pretty much the same as above models but it has cable disc brakes. No need to upgrade a year from now. Advantage: Lighter bike should be easier to climb with. Disc breaks will give me more control in mud and rain on downhill. Disadvantage: hardtail will slow me down on downhills and I'll feel every bump.

Please let me know your thoughts about dual vs. Hardtail and Specialized vs. Trek. I greatly appreciate it.

i take my vote back, the fuel 70 has a very nice spec for the money

2004 Bicycling Magazine Editors' Choice award for entry-level mountain bike. "Built with solid parts, great multi-condition tires, a nine-speed drivetrain and competent brakes, it's a winning ride."

I dunno. I'd do everything I could to make sure I got disc brakes. You WILL want them, and it's a royal pain to upgrade later [you need the disc hardware itself, plus new levers, new shifters (because most most OEM shifters are integrated with the brake levers, which you will be replacing), new hubs - which likely means new wheelsets]

Thanks guys. These are excellent points. Please keep them coming. Let me add that I don't see me being a major hucker. I love going downhill, don't get me wrong, but I'd rather race someday than bomb. Too many tough choices!

I have test ridden both the Fuel and the FSR. Haven't had a chance to test ride the Hopper. I hope I can make up my mind before August. I plan to do a lot of riding this summer.

Thanks again,
Duff

The Fuel 70 is around $950 here...

...but my vote goes for the FSR.

Get the FSR it's the same frame as my 2003 Rockhopper Comp FSR and I love that bike

What company does lance ride for, and how many times has he won the tour de france?

My case in point TREK RULES

Yes, because as we all know, there is no difference at all between making road bikes and making mountain bikes.

Yeah, and Lance rides an almost $6,000 Madone Road bike custom fitted to his exact dimensions by a group of 5 or 6 engineers.

Treks are decent mountain bikes, I can't knock them. Other than to say I don't like their geometries. Their bikes were never comfortable for me. For you, they might be perfect.

So, the key to deciding which bike to buy is to take each for a test ride and buy the one that fits the best.

L8R

I'd love to save a little more and get a $1200 bike, but I just can't wait another summer to get away from rigid on the trails. My arms are killing me!

Hmmm and what does the current XC World Cup Champion ride? Oh yeah a Specialized! Who gives a fat rat heiny what Lance rides. He could win the Tour on a Huffy if they would put enough money into it.

Thanks for the feedback a2psyklnut. I noticed in other posts that you recommend against a sub-$1000 dually. That's one of the reasons I'm considering the Rockhopper Pro Disc. I believe I can get a better hardtail for $800 than a dually. However, I don't see a major difference in componentry in the Hopper vs. the FSR, except for the disc brakes. I really need to just test ride one of Hopper and do the Fuel and FSR and make a choice, once and for all.

By the way, I'm 5'8, 185 and dropping so if there are similiar frame riders out there, I'd like to know what they think.

i rode a FSR for 2 years. It's an excellent design and a very good overall ride.

Ah yes, a prime example of the "I own a trek, therefore trek is better than any other company out there syndrome" with the "Lance rides a trek, therefore trek rules them all syndrome."

Afraid to tell you this, trek may make a decent bike for beginning recreational riders, but how many serious riders(As in race) do you see on the trails who ride a Trek? Not many I bet, with the high performance mountain bike theater, trek is lacking very seriously compared to the other brands out there. The Fuel has not been altered at all since it was released in 2000* Other companies have changed stuff around since then Kona still has the same suspension design, but they changed stuff on it, moved the positioning of pivots, reshaped swing arms, change pivots around. Specialized has the tried and true FSR design which is one of, if not the best suspension platform ever, they always make changes to make it work even better, Santa Cruz with their VPP bikes, Giant's VT series, Cannondale even changes stuff up every year. The only thing trek has done to the fuel was change the paint scheme. They are just realizing this but unfortunately they are a bit late, OK very late. Their new freeride rig is basically a copy of a Kona Stinky, and their jump/park ht probably won't do too good considering the competition it will have.(Kona DJ series, Evil Imperial, Sovereign, 24 Letoy IV, Norco125, Giant STP, Cannondale Chase, Specialized PSeries,.243, Endless Lifetime, draco, Iron Horse, Rocky Mountain, Santa Cruz. All of those are way more desirable and are proven. If Trek was to make a big splash in either the DJ/Park ht's or Freeride areas, they would have to release something rather revolutionary in order just to get noticed. Full Suspension has pretty much been covered with the onset of VPP, FSR. Every aspect of ht innovation has been covered as well.

To get back on the correct topic, if a big name rides a certain brand bike in this case Lance and Trek, does not mean that brand is the greatest ever.

LOL

...and if Lance jumps off a cliff I suppose you would too right?

Slight difference in your logic... Trek pays Lance to ride their bike. You pay Trek to ride their bike.

The FSR is an exception to this rule. As I mentioned before it is the same frame as last years Rockhopper FSR and also the 2002 Stumpjumper FSR. It's still a great design the only reason that it's cheaper now is due to the fact that Specialized is really pushing the redesigned Stumpjumper and the new Epics. It's a sound frame and you can really play with the componetry to set it up perfectly for the way you ride.
Such nice things you say Kona. Bucking for a sponsership?

Nope, btw, it's sponsorship.

Bear in mind the "trickle down technology" phenomenon. With the latest crop of new bikes, I'll probably have to readjust my thought process and now say, I wouldn't recommend a full squish for under $800.00.

I just reviewed the spec of the FSR/XC and that's a great bike for the money!

I will add that one thing I think every manufacturer should do is what Specialized does. Even on their $880 non-disc bike, they include a wheelset with disc-ready hubs. Kudos to them and whatever manuf. does this as well.

Think about it, you buy the bike as is, ride it for a couple months and decide you want disc. For another $89 you buy an Avid Mech. and you use the same lever and you plop a disc on the front. Then you save another $89 and buy the one for the rear. For under $1,100 you've got a full squish disc bike!

L8R

Ahhh..disc ready hubs. That makes a huge difference! I'm more tempted to give my endorsement to the FSR in that case, since that will save you some major cash when you want to upgrade to discs.

I wouldn't look at brands too much. My factors are how the bike feels/price. The time is coming soon where companies/lbs are trying to clear out stock to make room for the 05 gear. Granted this means that you might not find your bike or size but it can mean a sweet deal if your lucky.
I can say this from experience, LBS gave me a sweet deal a Stumpjumper M4. It was so sweet I was able to afford upgrading to XT hydro disc and putting on a Selle Italia Prolink trans am saddle without hurting my pocket.

The only other thing I can say is GOOD LUCK with making your decision.

More or less how I started except I knew I wanted a couple things straight off the bat.

Here she is! Thanks to all those who gave me your input. I went with the FSR after all.

Congrats on the purchase.

You'll love that bike man. Let us know when you want to start upgrading / personalizing as that's part of the fun.