Need to make a choice.
 

Hello all. I am going for a new ride this spring and am down to two models, the Trek 6700 (non-disc) and the Gary Fisher HKEK.The HKEK seems to have somewhat better components (LX shifters, LX front and rear, Avid levers, ZR9000 frame) compared to the 6700 (deore shifters, deore front, deore LX rear, SLR frame, alloy levers). The Fisher is $40.00 less that the Trek, so it would seem like an easy choice-but I'm not so sure. Am I just confused about the components? Why would the Trek be more? Maybe I'm missing something. Thanks in adavance for any help I can get.

keep in mind brand name has a lot to do with it also.

Not sure, since Trek owns Gary Fisher. Like what phantom said, a lot of it could be due to brand name.

regardless, look at XT and XTR. THeres a huge price gap in there, same company, and to be honest i dont think theres much of a difference if any in performance.

It could be the name, and I do realize it is now the same company. I have for the most part always been with a Trek, but the HKEK does seem a bit better in this case. I have no experience with Gary Fisher, any comments or suggestions in terms of comparison?

I have no expirience with Gary Fisher but i nkow at the camp i went to all the folks who worked there swore by them.

You need to look at the frame, I think that the SLR frame is meant for cross country, so it is much lighter than a regular aluminum frame. But I'm not sure what the Gary Fisher frame is so...

I'd go with the HKEK in this case. Better components and what seems to be a better frame.

Yes I agree, it seems as if the HKEK is the better deal. Anyone have any experience with the Fisher geometry?

I have experience, first real mountain bike. I got the Surly and its a totally different feel. I personally don't like the Fisher geometry anymore, I felt too unstable.

It doesn't matter if the HKEK is a better deal if you don't like the way it rides. The HKEK has Fisher's Genesis Geometry. I pretty much hate it. It may work for you.

Go test ride each of those bikes and as many others as you possibly can before you buy.

To each/his her own. I'm a newbie and blissfully ignorant, but I love my Gary Fisher Big Sur, though I have not had it that long.