OK, here goes. Im 35 years, 6'4", 260 lbs. and havent ridden a bike in over 15 years. I also was a pack a day smoker for most of those and quit over 3 years ago. After doin some research Ive narrowed it down to these two bikes.

https://www.diamondback.com/bikes/mtn.../overdrive-10/ for $650

and

https://2009.fujibikes.com/Mountain/2...hoe29Comp.aspx for $699

The Fujis fork only has 80mm travel compared to the DBs 100mm (even though theyre both Dart 3.) Will I notice the 1 inch of missing travel? Also the Fuji is an '09. Doesnt matter to me. It looks pretty badass.

The only problem is the LBS website lists Fuji as 19" frame and thats the only size left, but Fuji website lists frames as S, M, L. Fuji is also $50 more, but a better value as its MSRP is $999.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

i suggest the trek mamba for 679 with better fork

https://bikeline.com/product-list/201...re-sale-pg287/

https://bikeline.com/product/11-trek-...on-72177-1.htm

take what fits best!

I can't speak for the Trek or Diamondback. I rode the '09 Tahoe Comp and loved it. Yeah, the fork wasn't the greatest but it got the job done. After selling it earlier this year I decided to go back to a 29er and got the '10 Tahoe Pro. Great handling bikes.

Trek/Fisher looks cool. Now if I didnt live on the opposite side of the country I could pick one up. Maybe LBS will price match.

Last night we brought home a pair of Giant 29ers, I got the Talon 1 and the wife got the Ranier. We have only been able to spin around the neighborhood so far but my first impression is they were a good value for the $$ The Talon 2 is about $220 less than the T1 I rode both but liked the T1 color and components a little better.