Ok so I have it down to 2 choices. The first is a 2010 Marin Alpine trail. Sold at REI, 100mm travel, and all around look pretty good. The other is a 2009 Specialized Rockhopper, w/ 80mm of travel. Both are hardtails, both are 29ers, both have dart 3 shocks. The Marin is a bright orange and is catchy to the eye, the Specialized is dark green and well blah (thats my woman moment for the day comparing colors) So any input?

Individual components aside, both are good bikes. You gotta look at it everyday so make sure it's a color you like.

Just in case you DID have some extra money laying around. You know, the carbon fiber kind of extra money

From article below:
Drool...
http://www.feedthehabit.com/wp-conte...29-500x350.jpg
http://www.feedthehabit.com/mountain...bon-29-review/

Woman moment?:coffee::coffee:






HEY! :ignore:


Which one FITS you best? Can you spin at least a few parking lot circles with both? I'm all for color but I'll take what fits first.

Okie that is exactly what I would love to have the "Extra" money you speak of is really hard to come by.

And both fit great. The Specialized Rockhopper feels good and smooth. I want to try them both again and see which has the edge on the other. But going to pick one of them up tomorrow. Will post some pics.

Oh and Habanero the woman moment was because my mom is all about painting. Every house we fixed up she new that paint could make it great or just ok.

I don't care.....I thought it was funny. I do happen to have an easter egg green bike because the color caught my eye....

Doh!

Hey, it was a nice bike back then!

Too bad you can't take it out for a real ride. Angles and tube lengths start standing out a bit after 30+ minutes in the saddle and downright scream in your face after a few hours if things aren't right. Doesn't matter too much though. If needed, a different saddle here, or adjusted to a different position, change of crank arm and/or stem length, different width handlebars etc. and you've got a better fitting bike.

I have a basic Trek that cost $325... it is a great bike. The new versionsons of this bike have generic parts though. That really is the big thing with cheaper bikes, the bars, stem, cranks, brakes and derailers... It seems as though the frames are all pretty decent in this price range, it just depends on the parts. Look for good name bdand parts if you have the choice. I say that DB looks pretty good. Double wall rims are good, make sure you get those because at that price range some seem to have them and others don't.

Other than that, I agree with waiting for a CL deal...

Good luck!

Picked up the Marin yesterday. Plan on going out for a ride today. Provided the weather holds.