2005 Trek 8000 advice
 

Hello, I'm a newbie and am looking for my first MTB. I want to spend around $1200 or less and my local Trek dealer will sell me a new 2005 Trek 8000 for $1200 which seems like a great deal considering the msrp is $1540. I've done a lot of research and it seems like all the components are top notch. The only thing I wasn't sure about was the fork but I called Rockshox and they informed me the 2005 Duke Race fork is very similar to their new Reba line except it is only OEM. It has an aluminum steerer, weighs 3.5lbs, and has their new motion control damping system. I just wanted to know if anyone has any opinions on any component on this bike or if you have any suggestions on another bike I should be looking at. Any responses are greatly appreciated.

http://www2.trekbikes.com/Bikes/Moun...8000/index.php

I have to admit that's a great deal... The other bikes similarly equipped have the same MSRP but I don't know that you'll be able to get them for that cheap. The Specialized Stumpjumper Disc has better brakes (Avid BB7 vs Shimano LX) and arguably a better fork (Fox F80RL vs RS Duke Race), but overall it's still a wash. The Kona Kula is a great bike as well, but has a Fox Vanilla R and Hayes HFX-9 Hydro brakes. Not as nicely spec'd in my book. The Giant XTC is a really nice bike, but no disc brakes. It's SRAM-equipped (X-7) and has Avid brakes.... seems that bike is almost exclusively SRAM stuff aside from the pedals. I guess if you wanted to give a middle finger to Shimano, that'd be a great place to start

Thanks for the suggestions cryogenic I looked at a 2004 Stumpjumper non-disc that I can get for $1050 but I've heard bad things about the stock Mavic wheels and the Avid V brakes. One reason I think I want disc bakes is because I live in Western PA so we get tons of rain and the trails can be very muddy.

hah, i was just about to suggest not getting discs on a diff bike but now taht you said that, poof goes rim brakes.

Yeah the Kona fork and brakes aren't as nice but the PAINT JOB=GREATMAPOSILITAN

You can pick up chicks on your...bike :(

Woah just realized you were gettin a sweet price on the Trek 8000. Good deal for sure if you can't find anything else on sale like that.

Thanks Swifferman, The whole picking up chicks thing with the Kona is pretty tempting. I guess I'll rethink my original choice, lol.

What do you guys think about upgrading the stock wheels on the Trek (Bontrager Select) to the Mavic Crossmax Enduros for $120. The Enduros are a $500 wheelset so it seems like a great deal but I'm not sure.