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Alright so it's about time to upgrade my trek 3700. I'm looking for a 26" full sus, spending no more than $3k. I ride in the San Antonio area, so a lot of single track but some good rocky technical stuff mixed in, and I'll probably do some of the XC races for fun around too. No huge downhills really. I'm looking for 120mm-140mm of suspension, a good warranty, and lots of smiles. I wish I could test ride them all for a month, but that's not happening. I've been shopping by bike shops in town--
Everyone seems to have pretty similar components
Shop A (Sells at MSRP, gives 1 year unlimited maintenance, best rep in town, I know all the mechs):
12' Stumpjumper FSR Comp 26" - $2750 - 140mm travel
Pros: 2x10, tubeless out of box, 12x142 rear, elixir 7 brakes
Cons: no front TA, proprietary rear shock (not sure how triad ii matches up vs rp2)
12' Giant Trance X2 - $2750 - 125mm travel
Pros: Front TA, everyone loves Maestro
Cons: wheels can't be converted to tubeless, no rear TA, elixir 5 brakes
They also sell Santa Cruz bikes, but they're a bit pricey and only have a 2 year warranty which worries me. The Blur LT is kind of a wild card.
Shop B (Sells a bit below MSRP, good rep, don't know anyone there)
12' Trek Fuel Ex 8 - $2500-$2650 - 120mm travel
Pro: DRCV front/rear shocks and front TA, slx brakes, good wheels, tubeless
Cons: lowest travel, no rear TA
There's also a Cannondale and Jamis dealer in town, though I'm not familiar with the shops. I'm leaning pretty heavily to the stumpy, but this is a lot of money and I'm kind of a research whore, and I'm open to suggestions. Hopefully I'll be on my new ride within a month. What are your thoughts guys??
Everyone seems to have pretty similar components
Shop A (Sells at MSRP, gives 1 year unlimited maintenance, best rep in town, I know all the mechs):
12' Stumpjumper FSR Comp 26" - $2750 - 140mm travel
Pros: 2x10, tubeless out of box, 12x142 rear, elixir 7 brakes
Cons: no front TA, proprietary rear shock (not sure how triad ii matches up vs rp2)
12' Giant Trance X2 - $2750 - 125mm travel
Pros: Front TA, everyone loves Maestro
Cons: wheels can't be converted to tubeless, no rear TA, elixir 5 brakes
They also sell Santa Cruz bikes, but they're a bit pricey and only have a 2 year warranty which worries me. The Blur LT is kind of a wild card.
Shop B (Sells a bit below MSRP, good rep, don't know anyone there)
12' Trek Fuel Ex 8 - $2500-$2650 - 120mm travel
Pro: DRCV front/rear shocks and front TA, slx brakes, good wheels, tubeless
Cons: lowest travel, no rear TA
There's also a Cannondale and Jamis dealer in town, though I'm not familiar with the shops. I'm leaning pretty heavily to the stumpy, but this is a lot of money and I'm kind of a research whore, and I'm open to suggestions. Hopefully I'll be on my new ride within a month. What are your thoughts guys??