Mountain Bikes

[radio times]

I'd go for the Specialized, better equipage. Steer clear of carbon bars, pedals, wheels and stem, and you should be ok. It lacks the elasticity for me to ever trust it as a frame material, but that's just me. Modern steels betray no flex upon the climb.

[W9TR]

I'm riding an REI (Novara) full suspension mtb. It will be replaced with a Surly Pugsley or a Moonlander later this fall, just for the fun of it.

[TMcD]

Originally Posted by Josquin des Prez

Thanks guys. A bunch of you are riding carbon. I know that will be out of my price range. I am looking at two possibilities:

Trek Superfly AL 100 Elite
Specialized Epic Comp 29

Both are great bikes. You can't go wrong with either. Try and test ride both to see what one fits and feels better.

[Josquin des Prez]

Originally Posted by TMcD

Both are great bikes. You can't go wrong with either. Try and test ride both to see what one fits and feels better.

I wernt to the Specialized dealer today. They would not put me on any FS bike, but had a demo I could ride for $50 (credited back if I buy a bike). I walked out and spent the rest of the afternoon at the Trek shop, chatting with the owner and riding demo bikes.

I test rode the Trek Superfly AL 100 Elite and it's bigger brother, the Superfly AL 100 Pro. Both were great, but the Pro is substantially better and I would say definitely worth the extra $1K. While they were setting up the Pro demo for me the shop owner put me on his personal highly modified Superfly 100 Elite SL. That is one sweet ride. I left feeling very good about the bikes, the shop and the people there. I also picked up a new bike seat, a lock, and some new water bottles and cages.

[TMcD]

Originally Posted by Josquin des Prez

I wernt to the Specialized dealer today. They would not put me on any FS bike, but had a demo I could ride for $50 (credited back if I buy a bike). I walked out and spent the rest of the afternoon at the Trek shop, chatting with the owner and riding demo bikes.

I test rode the Trek Superfly AL 100 Elite and it's bigger brother, the Superfly AL 100 Pro. Both were great, but the Pro is substantially better and I would say definitely worth the extra $1K. While they were setting up the Pro demo for me the shop owner put me on his personal highly modified Superfly 100 Elite SL. That is one sweet ride. I left feeling very good about the bikes, the shop and the people there. I also picked up a new bike seat, a lock, and some new water bottles and cages.

Good news, just like audio your store is a big piece of the puzzle. Treks are great bikes, spend the extra, you will not regret it.

[Josquin des Prez]

Originally Posted by TMcD

Good news, just like audio your store is a big piece of the puzzle. Treks are great bikes, spend the extra, you will not regret it.

I agree. The Trek shop is the same store I frequented as a teen when I had a Motobecane 10-speed road bike (in the 70s). The owner is a former national mountain and road racer.

[W9TR]

$50 bucks for the privilege of trying their bike to buy? Really? Sounds like some high end shops I no longer patronize. Sounds like you've found a great shop.
Tom

[Josquin des Prez]

Originally Posted by W9TR

$50 bucks for the privilege of trying their bike to buy? Really? Sounds like some high end shops I no longer patronize. Sounds like you've found a great shop.
Tom

The Trek shop will also let me take a nice demo bike out for an extended period -- like over a weekend -- for $250 (applicable to purchase), but the difference is they let me take some $3K+ bikes out in the surrounding neighborhood just for asking. That is what I would have expected from the Specialized shop, but I walked away without getting on any bike.

[W9TR]

Walking was a good move, Dean. They don't deserve your business. Last year, I was shopping for a carbon road bike, and all the shops were easy to deal with. I bought from the shop that spent the most time fitting me to a demo, about 15 minutes. They said they wanted to make sure i had the best experience. I don't think they even took my drivers license and was an expensive bike. I spent an hour on the bike and really got a feel for it. Turned out to be a Trek shop.
Tom

[Grasshopper]

Ellsworth Truth! The bike is amazing.


Also look at an Ibis Mojo. Both in your price range loaded up (used).