Well, I ended up with a cf bike, after all. Not the SJ expert I was looking at, though. I got a brand new 2006 S-Works Stumpy for an amazing price at a bike show in Toronto.

http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bc/...=06Stumpjumper

They made me an offer I couldn't refuse.

WOW U Saw through the 90 + percent that never rode a carbon mountain bike? Awesome... you won't regret it.

OMG, Jealous! Have fun!

This made me think and I'd like to get the expert opinions...what happens to the shock and fork seals if they weren't used for four years? Do you guys think they would kind of dry out and wear out prematurly?

It is possible if they are rubberized that they might dry out, shrink and crack.. other issues are the hydro brakes taking on moisture and in general the oil settling in the forks/shock. There is a time element to scheduled maintenance for those reasons.

Don't buy old elastomer forks that is for sure!

I have no experience with hydraulic brakes. But from what I've read, I was expecting these brakes to be more "grabby" than they are. I think I will change the fluid.
Now I just have to do some reasearch on how to do it. I guess I could take it to a bike shop, but i prefer to be self sufficient as much as possible.

The bike only cost me $2999.00 CDA , so I'm not going to quibble about any minor initial maintenence I need to do.

There are various bleed kits on the internet for $50... but that is just above the price a shop will charge todo it once... so if you have to bleed the brakes again you will be saving cash. The brakes will feel weak for the first 10-20km until the pads wear in... but after that if performance doesn't increase and they still feel mushy then you'll need to bleed them,.

Thanks for the tip, electric.

The guy who sold me the bike told me to bring the bike into their store in about two weeks to see if anything needs tweaking. So I'll get them to check out the brakes and fork while I'm there.

Would you buy an AL frame with a dent. AL and Carbon are quite similar in that they're both quite fragile to an extent. I've got and ridden AL, Ti, Steel, Scandium and Carbon bikes and love them all for certain reasons.

If you like the carbon frame over the AL then get it for the weight saving alone, if you want durability then get a Ti hardtail. If money is the main factor then the AL will be a very similar ride but a bit heavier, certainly no more durable in a big crash.

Choccy...

It's been a year and a half, Choccy. I think a decision has long been made.

Oh, & I bought a dented frame off ebay that I still ride. Nothing wrong with dents as long as it's a quality frame and there's no creasing.