2011 Fisher Cobia or Cannondale Trail SL 2?

[901dave]

New to Mountain Biking, and just trying to get a quality bike for around $1100.

I'm sick of hearing all the shops bicker about which is better for whatever reason, and was hoping to get some good advice on this forum.

I'm also looking at a Rockhopper Expert 29er from Specialized.

It seems like I',m going to have to make a few upgrades in the future so which bike is the best core for the money? I think the Fisher has the best fork ( Roxshox Recon) as opposed to the RST with Cannondale. However the Cannondale Brakes (shimano) may be better than the promax hornets on the Fisher....

Please help, all advice welcome!

[VicnPA]

Dude, Stay away from teh Cdale Trail SL. I bought that bike and it was horrible, fork sucked, the frame wasn't reamed correctly and it tore up the seat post. Pait had runs in it. You can't go wrong with fisher/Trek. IMHO

[enfig]

Have you considered the Giant XTC 29'er?
Is around that price, has a very nice frame, Shimano brakes, Marzocchi fork, etc

[901dave]

Ive Looked at the Giant Bikes, I think a Talon.... Not sure if they have many in stock here in St. Louis, and the Fisher Dealer is offering 10% off the bike....

I was actually considering the Fisher X-cal. 1550 marked down to 1300....

Is this worth the 300 to go to the Xcal over the Cobia?

[waterdude]

[QUOTE=901dave]Ive Looked at the Giant Bikes, I think a Talon.... Not sure if they have many in stock here in St. Louis, and the Fisher Dealer is offering 10% off the bike....

I was actually considering the Fisher X-cal. 1550 marked down to 1300....

[I]Is this worth the 300 to go to the Xcal over the Cobia?[/] [QUOTE]

Looks like it to me.

[waterdude]

[QUOTE=waterdude][QUOTE=901dave]Ive Looked at the Giant Bikes, I think a Talon.... Not sure if they have many in stock here in St. Louis, and the Fisher Dealer is offering 10% off the bike....

I was actually considering the Fisher X-cal. 1550 marked down to 1300....

[I]Is this worth the 300 to go to the Xcal over the Cobia?[I] [/]QUOTE]

Looks like it to me

[roscoe1971]

xliber for 1300.00 would be a good deal. sram x7 3x10spd drivline and a reba fork. my personal favorite in the 1100.00-1300.00 range is the giant xtc2. that thing has a tapperd headtube,marzzoci 15mm through axle fork shimano hydro brakes and a shimano 9spd. driveline for 1300.00 if you can you need to look at one, its what im getting the frame on the giant is just killer looking, trust me go look at one if ya can.

[901dave]

Thanks for all the advice, had to pull the trigger yesterday, and went with the Fisher Cobia. Great bike, and i got it for 10% off retail, and a solid lifetime tune deal.

This is my first bike, so im pumped to hit the trails.

[stratos27]

I think you made a great choice for your first ride. Now go out and enjoy it.

[sxr-racer]

you will enjoy it.