To you mountain bikers

[clarkkey594]

Old news, they just got rid of the gf brand and are selling "gf signature" branded treks to simplify things.

Trek and GF have had a partnership of sorts for years.

[rxp rider]

Trek and GF have had a partnership of sorts for years.

1993, I am ready for warm weather, my bike is too clean sitting in my closet. And a new fork thats not even broke in yet! :)

[sleepingbeauty]

what do you got? I try to get out anytime its above 50, like 65 makes for the best riding weather, and a couple redbulls

[rxp rider]

2010 Rock Shox Reba XX 29er, with X-Loc. I ride a Felt hard tail

[clarkkey594]

what do you got? I try to get out anytime its above 50, like 65 makes for the best riding weather, and a couple redbulls

60's are perfect riding weather but I prefer a 5-hour energy. lol

[Cloudbase]

I actually like suffereing in the cold, it satisfies the illusion that I'm still hardcore. When in reality it just give me more layers to hide my love handles!

I've had 5 high end Gary Fishers over the years. Trek ended Gary Fisher last year similar to Lemon in a GM like consolidation move. Gary Fisher was way too popular and established (especially in the 29er market) to kill completely so it got rebranded as the Gary Fisher collection. It was justified as a measure that would allow a greater combined dealer network, but I've been told it is strictly a cost cutting measure. My old coach lives pretty close to headquarters and is well connected to the inside goings on. Even before I talked to him I was not impressed with the 11 models. If have a choice between the two I would go Specialized, although considering what I've said the GF trek might be cheaper. Wheat Ridge is a great shop, they will treat you good. What ever you get if it isn't tubeless pick up a Stans kit and some tubless valve stems. Tubless is a must out here, especially on a hard tail. I can convert both bikes for you super quick.

[blefevre]

Is is a frame issue with the 11 Trek GF collections or component selection you were not impressed with?

Basically I wan't a rockhopper expert 29er which is $1050. However, the trek GF mamba is only around 800-850 and seems to have similar components. If I could save $200 then I can spend that on extras. However, if there is an obvious weakness with the GF's then I would rather get a bike that won't get destroyed in a few years.

[Cloudbase]

To answer your question - No, not at all. I'm just disappointed with Trek. There is no frame weakness at the lower end. Gary Fisher had some issues with frame failure on it's early carbon frames, but also was generous with replacing suspect frames without questions, mine was replaced under warranty.

Looking at those two bikes I would definitely spend the extra $200. That $200 actually goes a really, really long way in your situation. I prefer Sram over Shimano, but at that level the Shimano is better than what you get on the Fisher.

Hydraulic disc brakes vs. Mechanical is reason alone to go with the Specialized. It will cost you well over $200 to go to Hydraulic later on and the only Mechanical disc brake to go with are Avid. Even on high end stuff I prefer Specialized to Bontrager (although Bontrager quality has been re-invented from the pitiful stuff of early Trek ownership). That said on the low end it's not that great.

Lastly tires. Specialized Captain Controls are the best tire for Colorado period. It's a $50 dollar tire, which is $100 bucks per bike. The Bontrager tires are junk. When I got my GF Superfly they were replaced with Captain's before I even mounted my pedals. I've raced and ridden two dozen sets of tires over the years and the Captain is the best. It's only better on a 29er! After flatting on the first lap of 24 Hours of Moab and loosing 10 minutes I dumped the S-Works Captain for the Control. The extra weight is well worth the durability. They are tubeless ready too, so the conversion will be much easier.

Seriously, go for the Rockhopper Expert. Even looking at the GF Cobia which is a more even comparison to the Expert, the Expert is way more bang for your buck. You will be glad you did. You could ride that bike for years without having to spend a dime.

[quikveedb2]

The Bontrager tires are junk.

+onefuckingmillion

I hate Bontrager tires. They are designed to ride well on the 15 minute test ride in the parking lot, that's it. I'm a big fan of the Maxxis Highroller front and Larsen TT or similar low profile rear for Colorado riding.

[blefevre]

You would be a good salesman!

But seriously, that is perfect advice. Someone that has used some of the specific components, experience with brands, etc. Thanks for the info!

[sleepingbeauty]

60's are perfect riding weather but I prefer a 5-hour energy. lol

alright clarkkey, thats as good as signing a verbal contract. we are riding!

Basically I wan't a rockhopper expert 29er which is $1050. However, the trek GF mamba is only around 800-850 and seems to have similar components. If I could save $200 then I can spend that on extras.

specialized is the wasy to go. I've been riding only since I was about 7. that price difference does sound nice between the two as long as the geometry is similar. the geometry of the bikes is really what separates one company from another

[clarkkey594]

alright clarkkey, thats as good as signing a verbal contract. we are riding!



specialized is the wasy to go. I've been riding only since I was about 7. that price difference does sound nice between the two as long as the geometry is similar. the geometry of the bikes is really what separates one company from another

I need to get back in shape first last time I rode hard was in like June.

+onefuckingmillion

I hate Bontrager tires. They are designed to ride well on the 15 minute test ride in the parking lot, that's it. I'm a big fan of the Maxxis Highroller front and Larsen TT or similar low profile rear for Colorado riding.

Bontrager sucks in every way. Specialized is teh win in nearly every way. lol

[quikveedb2]

You would be a good salesman!

I am a salesperson. Also a mechanic. I've worked in bike shops for the last 7 years & manage the ski shop the CO guys came to for the WP/r3v ski day. I like Specialized except for their proprietary bullshit. Don't buy anything of theirs that has to be sent back to them for service, i.e. their "Brain" suspension technology.

[sleepingbeauty]

/\ yes that was cool when it came out… useless. thank god i dont ride xc. why would u send the bike for service though and not the shock? aka brain

[Cloudbase]

Agreed. Specialized Brain FTL... You won't have to worry about that on the Rockhopper Expert.