I am thinking about buying my fantasy bike in the spring.

[Denninmi]

I'm considering one of these:

http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bikes/mountain/sjfsr/sworksstumpjumperfsrcarbon29

http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bikes/mountain/camberfsr/camberprocarbon29

http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bikes/mountain/epicfsr/sworksepiccarbon29xtr

Anyone have any insights into any if these, what I should look for?

[wtmusic]

1. Sweet.

http://www.mtbr.com/

has tons of reviews and info. Beyond that, you need to find one and ride it.

It's hard to go wrong with Trek or Specialized. Lots of other options though, and more good ones every day.

[bike man]

2. I am looking forward to a new

Last edited Thu Jan 24, 2013, 04:48 PM - Edit history (1)

long wheel base recumbent, but if I get it now I'd have to put it on a credit card.

I already have one LWB recumbent and a diamond frame bike (Transeo), and consider a credit card purchase (for another bicycle) at this time would be imprudent. Many people would agree with that (especially my wife.)

edited for clarification

[happyslug]

3. You know I paid LESS for my first new car then what you are planning to pay for a bicycle

It was a 1982 GMC 3/4 ton truck, I believed I paid $8500 and used it till 1990 (my sister purchased a 1991 Mercury Sable, and I inherited her 1987 Renault Alliance, and the GMC was one car to many for me so I had my sister trade in it on the Sable). Good truck, three speed Manual Transmission with a "Creeper" gear (i.e. Four Speeds, Low, 1st, 2nd and 3rd, Low was to be used when you loaded the truck with to much to go in 1st).

Anyway, I hope you like your purchase (I like my 1982 GMC, I abused it and it kept on running).

I am looking at Waterford (which is decedent from the Schwinn Paramount production pre-Schwinn bankruptcy). They start at $1400 just for the low price frame, parts are extra.

Waterford Ordering Guide:
http://waterfordbikes.com/resources/WaterfordOrderBookletV5.pdf

Price list:
http://waterfordbikes.com/w/ordering/price-list/

Wateford also build bike frames for Terry bicycle:
http://georgenaterry.com/
http://georgenaterry.com/heart-of-steel/

Terry is noted for making bikes design for women, instead of bikes designed for men, and then modified for women.

Terry Wheels are out of Velocity Wheels:
http://www.velocityusa.com/default.asp?contentID=642

[frylock]

4. i love 29ers and have a monocog flight 29er i've built up myself. mostly..

the only stock parts are the frame, cranks and wheels. I'm also a Giant guy and I don't sport a lick of carbon on any of my whips. In any case, your choice should be based entirely dependent the style you ride. I ride a varied terrain of rolling XC with some mildly gnar DH mixed into my routes. Based on that, I'd select the Camber Pro, as it presents itself as more of an all mountain type of bike, while the other two bikes seem more race/XC. At the pricepoint of any of these bikes, the componentry is solid and it really boils down to a matter of grams, so not many concerns on that front. If I were to purchase a new 29er today myself, I'd prolly get either the Transition Covert 29er, or the Transition Bandit 29er, both of which are alu frames. What I'm really curious about is the 640b. Have you looked at any of those?

on edit the Stumpy has a slacker geometry and would be better suited for AM.