I have been visiting this forum for awhile and thought I should finally register. I am about to get my first bike that cost more than $300. I am looking at getting a new HT and would like to spend around 1000+/-. I should add that I love speed and love to climb like a mountain goat. This bike is going to be used for some epic rides, 30-40 mile trips with ascending/descending of 3-4000ft and just short couple of hour trips. So I would like to get something that doesn't feel like I am pulling a bag of bricks with me, but yet still sturdy enough to take some abuse. I have not made up my mind as far as steel or aluminum, but at this point I think I would be happy with either unless someone would argue differently. Also I would like a fork that comes with around 3-4in of travel. A friend recommended that I take a look at the Ibex Trophy 880 disc which is a really nice bike and I also like Marin's. I These are the specs on the Ibex
[right][font=Arial] Frame: [/font][/right]
[font=Arial] 6061 Double-Butted Aluminum w/ Oversize Tubing /Aerol Downtube / Replaceable Derailleur Hanger / Disc Ready / S-Bend Seat-Stay & Tapered Chainstay[/font] [right][font=Arial] Fork: [/font][/right]
[font=Arial]Marzocchi EXR Race w/ 85mm Travel / One Side Coil - One Side Air / Ext. Air Preload Adjustment / Ext. Rebound Adjustment / Monolite Magnesium Lowers / 30mm Stanchions[/font] [right][font=Arial] Front Derailleur: [/font][/right]
[font=Arial] Shimano LX[/font] [right][font=Arial] Rear Derailleur: [/font][/right]
[font=Arial] Shimano XT[/font] [right][font=Arial] Shifters: [/font][/right]
[font=Arial] Shimano LX Rapidfire - 27-spd Indexed [/font] [right][font=Arial] Crankset: [/font][/right]
[font=Arial] TruVativ Firex Team - 44/32/22T w/ Alloy Crank Arms & Chainrings - Mirror Black / Polished[/font] [right][font=Arial] Bottom Bracket: [/font][/right]
[font=Arial] TruVativ Giga-Pipe SL - ISIS Splined - Cartridge Type [/font] [right][font=Arial] Cassette: [/font][/right]
[font=Arial] Shimano HG-70- 11-32T - 9-spd [/font] [right][font=Arial] Chain: [/font][/right]
[font=Arial] KMC Z9000 Super Narrow - Dark Silver[/font] [right][font=Arial] Brakes: [/font][/right]
[font=Arial] Avid Juicy-5 Hydraulic Disc Brakes[/font] [right][font=Arial] Brake Levers: [/font][/right]
[font=Arial] Avid Juicy-5[/font] [right][font=Arial]Cables: [/font][/right]
[font=Arial]Jagwire[/font] [right][font=Arial] Tires: [/font][/right]
[font=Arial] Kenda Koyote - 26" x 1.95" [/font] [right][font=Arial] Rims: [/font][/right]
[font=Arial] Sun DS1-XC - 32H - Silver[/font] [right][font=Arial] Hubs: [/font][/right]
[font=Arial] Shimano M525 w/ Quick Release [/font] [right][font=Arial] Spokes: [/font][/right]
[font=Arial] 14G Black Stainless Steel [/font] [right][font=Arial] Handlebar: [/font][/right]
[font=Arial] TruVativ XR - 640mm x 25° rise - OS 31.8 Clamp Size[/font] [right][font=Arial] Stem: [/font][/right]
[font=Arial] TruVativ XR Alloy - 4-bolt - OS 31.8 Clamp[/font] [right][font=Arial] Grips: [/font][/right]
[font=Arial] WTB Dual Compound Trial Grips[/font] [right][font=Arial] Headset: [/font][/right]
[font=Arial] FSA Orbit XL II Threadless - Cartridge Bearings[/font] [right][font=Arial] Pedals: [/font][/right]
[font=Arial] Shimano M520 Clipless w/ Cleats and Clip-in Platform[/font] [right][font=Arial] Saddle: [/font][/right]
[font=Arial] WTB Pure V Race[/font] [right][font=Arial] Seat Post: [/font][/right]
[font=Arial] TruVativ XR- 2-bolt - 27.2 x 350mm[/font] [right][font=Arial] Seat Clamp: [/font][/right]
[font=Arial] Uno Alloy Extrusion[/font] [right][font=Arial] Also Included: [/font][/right]
[font=Arial] Multi-tool, Touch-up Paint[/font]
It comes with a lot of nice components, and it will be hard to beat. The other bikes I have looked at are Marin Nail Trail, Marin Palisades Trail, and Marin Eldridge Grade. So I was curious what would be a good starting point for a HT?