Guys, kinda lost on bike choices, would like input.

[MotownBikeBoy]

Ok, here's the real scoop. I got myself into some pretty big trouble last year medically. It was, uh, kinda not looking so good for me for a while. I had the great pleasure last summer of sitting down across a desk from a specialist who told me I have a potentially fatal disease. Kinda turned my world upside down, and frankly I didn't handle this news with what you might call grace and dignity, I went into full blown meltdown mode. I spent three weeks in the hospital having treatments, didn't make me as sick as I feared it would. I made it through and out the other side with a complete 180 in my attitude about living. It's something I am actually doing for once in my life, really living. So, I've treated myself to a great hybrid Specialized, a Surly Pug, and some miscellaneous toys like new skis and snowshoes. All great. Having fun with it all. I'm going to give myself the ultimate gift in a couple of months, my fantasy bike, kind of a little "hell, you didn't die after all" present. This has to be a one-time deal, I can't afford a do-over down the line so I need to pick the right bike. I spent about 20 minutes talking to the owner of the LBS the other night, just generalities, no specifics of features or models, more a "what are your goals" kind of thing. We talked about all of the groomed and rough trail opportunities in the region, there are a lot so I can put the beast to good use. I can squeeze out probably 5-6 time slots a week of 2-3 hours for riding, so it isn't just going to sit in my garage covered with a tarp. Ok, here's my current thinking about what I want: http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bikes/mountain/epicfsr/sworksepiccarbon29xtr http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bikes/mountain/epicfsr/sworksepiccarbon29sram http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bikes/mountain/sjfsr/sworksstumpjumperfsrcarbon29 But there is a lot to consider in terms of features. Yeah, probably a lot more bike than I need, but this is one of those "oh, Hell yes" live the fantasy things. And since I don't see some of my other fantasies coming true, like dating Julia Roberts or Jennifer Aniston, LOL, this is gonna be the one. So, what should I really be looking for and looking at? TIA. Danny aka the weird dude from Detroit!

 

[vspa]

the Epic's are basically the same bike but with different groupsets, i would go with one of them the Stump Jumper looks more of a freeride and downhill bike, what disease did you overcome ?

 

[MotownBikeBoy]

I'm leaning towards the Epic myself. I was looking at the LBS the other night again and talked to the owner quite a while, he's going to take me out in the spring when the weather breaks on a demo Epic to a local park and we're going to ride the trails and see how I do, and then go from there.

Sorry about the TMI, I probably shouldn't spread my personal problems all over a bike forum, probably pretty inappropriate. But to answer your question, one of the weird, rare anemias that is potentially fatal. It falls into the category they call "myelodysplastic syndromes." It's not curable, but is controllable with the right drugs, at least hopefully. So far, so good. Getting my head screwed on straight again has actually been my bigger challenge, I was a real mess last summer, now the medical stuff is just a matter of popping pills daily for the foreseeable future and having a lot of followups with the oncologist/hematologist and a lot of labs. Cycling is the one factor, in all of this, that saved my sanity, well, at least what is left of it. I never would have made it through without it.

Again, sorry for the TMI.

 

[vspa]

we are glad that you are doing better now and that everything is under control, good luck with the bike testing rides,

 

[i12ride]

Mountain biking is truly magic for the soul. Glad you found it and good luck with the medical stuff.

 

[jaretj]

While I can't comment on those bikes since they all look good I'd like to say congratulations on getting through your disease.

If you need help on setup or opinion on trails let me know as I'm in SE Michigan and have ridden a lot of them.

jaretj

 

[LDB]

I'll go from a different track. If you are completely debt free and have large piles of cash laying around I'd pick the sram because it looks best in the photo. If you aren't and don't I'd suggest spending $10 on a copy of The Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey rather than $10k on a bike that will be worth far less the day after you buy it. That advice is based on figuring that you did win over your challenge and will continue to win for decades to come and therefore will want to win big long term not just immediately. Good luck to you whatever happens.

 

[vspa]

I'll go from a different track. If you are completely debt free and have large piles of cash laying around I'd pick the sram because it looks best in the photo. If you aren't and don't I'd suggest spending $10 on a copy of The Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey rather than $10k on a bike that will be worth far less the day after you buy it. That advice is based on figuring that you did win over your challenge and will continue to win for decades to come and therefore will want to win big long term not just immediately. Good luck to you whatever happens.

if you are serious about biking and you can afford the 10 K no problem, such a bike and accessories will function and delight you for years and years to come,