From: ccastmm@prism.gatech.EDU (Mike Marler)
Newsgroups: rec.bicycles.misc,rec.bicycles.marketplace
Subject: Santa checked my list!
Date: 22 Dec 92 15:48:40 GMT
Followup-To: rec.bicycles.misc
Organization: Georgia Institute of Technology

Many thanks to all of you that sent me suggestions for MTB's in the
$800-$1000 range.  You definitely got me to try some different bikes
that I would not have considered.  Here is a list (in no particular
order) of what I considered and a few comments.

Bridgestone	1992 MTB-3		$800	Rode larger size
		1992 MTB-4		$670	Rode it

Cannondale	1992 M700		$820	Rode it

Diamond Back	1993 Apex		$710	Looked at 1992 in larger size
		1992 Ascent EX		$580	Rode it ($600+ for 1993's)
		The 1993's were on order and due in mid to late Jan. 1993

Gaint		1992 ATX 770 (and 1993)
		1992 ATX 760 (and 1993)	Just looked didn't like them.

Trek		1991 950		N/A	Roomie's bike I have ridden
		1992 990		$900	Rode it
		1992 8000		N/A	Friend's bike I have ridden

Specialized	1993 StumpJumper	$870	Rode it
		1993 RockHopper		$710	Rode it


I didn't like the Gaints' weight or construction compared to the other bikes.

The Cannondale was nice, but a little stiffer than I wanted.  Ok, I have to
admit that I was already leaning toward Chrome-Moly.

I like my friend's Trek 8000, but I like the ride of the Trek 950 almost as
much and it costs less.  I really liked the components on the Trek 990,
as well as, the ride. I didn't like the looks of the seals on the 
front forks - they looked prone to leakage or water entering into them
(I must be too use to looking at forks on motorcycles).  Besides, I
haven't ridden enough to be giving front forks the use that they deserve :-).
I believe that I can find a better pair when I want them any way.  Aren't
some new designs coming out that are not based around the oil-air-spring
design.  Still the Trek 990 was a nice ride.

The Bridgestone's were both light bikes to the point of seeming almost
"twitchy".  The MTB-3 got more consideration from me than the MTB-4.
I liked the MTB-3 ride and didn't really like the MTB-4 ride.  The MTB-3
frame is definitely nice (thanks for the suggestion guys) and I thought
about special ordering a 1993 MTB-3.  The dealer's order for 1993's
was due in late Jan. or early Feb. and they suggested that I could special
order a 1993 if I wanted.  They told me (may be true) that Bridgestone
only ships bikes out of one location in the US, and further
commented that Bridgestone was a large company world wide and "seems"
to treat other countries better than the US - what?!

I ended up buying the Specialized 1993 RockHopper after riding it and the
1993 StumpJumper.  They both have a complete LX group, Specialized X23
wheels, and Specialized Extreme 26X1.95 tires.  I found that I really liked
the rapid fire shifters.  After the above three "items", the differences
between the two bikes was that the Stumpjumper has a frame from Japan
(verus Tawian), an XT headset, and the seat post looked much better to me.
I decided that I would not spend the extra cash on the StumpJumper and spend
it on accessories and some of the new "Bovine(sp)" rack parts to build myself
a two-bike rack for the back of my truck (no more of this rope crap).

The rain left me alone for long enough to go on a 10 miles single track
ride and I was able to have my first problem with the new bike.  Ran over
a thorn and punched my back tire about 5 miles into my ride :-).  Oh
what joy!

Cheers, Mike
-- 
Mike Marler                        | "Saving every nickel to spend on my
Internet: ccastmm@prism.gatech.edu |  my next set of thrills..." -somebody
Disclaimer: These views are not and should not be viewed as those of OIT.
Newsgroups: rec.bicycles.misc