New hardtail purchase advice?

[pundit]

I was planning on upgrading the components on my 2001 Avanti Montari ($1400 AUD new in 2001) as the Tektro cable disc brakes and heavy 'rubbery' RST forks leave much to be desired.

The Montari frame (Kinesis 7005) is solid but the cost of new hydraulic disc brakes, decent front forks and wheels has made me think I may as well replace the entire bike.
I also have a Cane Creek Thudbuster LT suspension seatpost which I am pretty happy with and this would be fitted to the new bike.

I have budgeted around $2,000 - $2,500 AUD for a new bike and hope to get around $400-$500 for my s/h Montari which is very clean.

I am considering purchasing either a...

Avanti Aggressor 2007

* Frame: Alloy 7005 UL2 ASB
* Fork: FOX FRL 100mm AIR Travel, with Lockout
* Front Derailleur: SRAM X-7
* Rear Derailleur: SRAM X-9 Long Cage
* Brake Levers: Avid Juicy 7 Hydraulic Disc with matchmaker for Shifter
* Shifters: SRAM X-9 Triggers, 27 Speed
* Crankset: Truvativ Stylo 3.3, 22-32-44T
* Brakes: Avid Juicy 7 Hydraulic Disc
* Hubs: Shimano LX M585 Disc front and rear with centre lock
* Cassette: SRAM PG950 11-32T 9 Speed
* Handlebar: Easton EA50 Riser Bar 31.8mm
* Grips: Dual Density “Vice Grip" Grips
* Handlebar Stem: Easton EA50 Forged 31.8mm 6 Rise
* Pedals: Shimano PD-M505 Clipless
* Rims/Wheel Set: Mavic XM317 Disc Black
* Spokes: DT Stainless Steel
* Tyres: Specialized Fastrak Pro Duo Compound 26 x 2.0 with Lightweight Tubes
* Saddle: Selle Italia XO Trans Am
* Seat Post: Alloy 31.6mm Micro Adjust
* Bottom Bracket: Truvativ GIGA X Type
* Headset: Cane Creek ZST Zero Stack 1-1/8
* Chain: SRAM PC951

Scott Scale 40 2007

* Frame: Scott Scale Alloy 7005 DB hydrafrom monocoque tubes V dropout design Delta SST bridge Integ. HT BOX chainstay bridge
* Fork: Fox 32 F100RL Air spring alloy steerer reb. adj/ Lockout 100mm travel
* Headset: Ritchey OF 1 1/8" semi integrated 44/50mm
* Derailleur (Rear): Shimano XT RD-M761 27 Speed
* Derailleur (Front): Shimano LX FD-M580A 34.9mm
* Shifters: Shimano LX Sl-M580 Rapidfire Plus 2 way release w/gear indicator
* Brake Levers: Shimano BL-M535 Disc
* Brakes: Shimano BR-M535 Disc 160 F& R mm CL RT52 Rotor
* Crankset: Shimano LX FC-M580 hollowtech 2 44Ax32Ax22A T
* BB-Set: Shimano Cartridge 68mm shell
* Handlebar: Scott X-Rod 600mm / 5° bend
* H'stem: Scott Comp 4 bolt 1-1/8" /6° angle]
* Pedals: Shimano PD-M505 Clipless pedal
* Seatpost: Scott Comp 31.6 mm
* Seat: Scott Racing
* Hub (Front): Shimano LX HB-M585 Disc CL
* Hub (Rear): Shimano LX HB-M585 Disc CL
* Chain: Shimano CN-HG53
* Cassette: Shimano CS-HG50-9 11-32 T
* Spokes: DT Swiss Champion Black 1.8mm
* Rims: Alex TD-24 Disc 32H Black
* Tires: Scott OXYD 26 x 2.0 60TPI Kevlar Bead
* Weight: 11.7 kg / 25.7 lbs


Jamis Dakota Elite 2007

* FRAME: 7005 triple-butted "Superlight" aluminum main tubes, carbon fiber monostay, gusseted down tube, replaceable derailleur hanger
* FORK: Fox 32F-100R, air spring, rebound adjustor, 100mm travel
* HEADSET: WTB Race, internal cup type, 1 1/8"
* WHEELSET: WTB Laser Disc XC rims, eyeletted, 32H, with Shimano M475 disc hubs, WTB 14g stainless steel spokes
* TIRES: Maxxis Ignitor, 26 x 1.95", 60tpi
* DERAILLEURS: Shimano Deore XT (hi-normal) rear, Deore XT 31.8mm top pull front
* SHIFTERS: Shimano Deore XT, Rapidfire Plus-SL, 27-speed
* CHAIN: Shimano CN-HG73
* FREEWHEEL: SRAM Powerglide 950, 9-speed, 11-32
* CRANKSET: Shimano Deore LX, 44/32/22, 170mm (15.5"), 175mm (17-21")
* BOTTOM BRACKET: Shimano Deore LX integrated
* PEDALS: Crank Brothers Smarty clipless
* BRAKESET: Avid Juicy 5 hydraulic disc brakes with Avid Juicy levers
* HANDLEBAR: Easton EA50 XC flat bar, 3D sweep x 580mm wide
* STEM Easton EA50, 6D x 90mm(13"), 100mm (15"), 110mm (17 ") & 120mm (19" - 21") extensions
* GRIPS: WTB Trail, dual compound
* SEATPOST: Easton EA50 microadjust, 350mm x 27.2mm with alloy clamp and cromo seatpin
* SADDLE: WTB Pure V Race with SL top & sides and cromo rails
* SIZES: 15.5", 17", 19", 21"
* COLORS: Midnight Blue/Pearl White
* WEIGHT: 25.75 lbs

Any advice or opinions appreciated - TIA!

[mikesbytes]

I'll leave the numbers to the bean counter riders. My question to you, is which one fits your body best?

Have a nice day
training log

[Mulger bill]

G'Day Pundit

Based purely on the specs, the Juicy 7 brakes and X7-9 drivetrain on the Avanti would sell her to me, (insert declaration of bias ). They all look to be pretty well specced to me, Fox forx are winners. The Jamis runs a flat bar which is pretty narrow, swap it out for risers if you're not XC racing.

Looking at the specs is only a small part of buying, try them all if you can, one of them will smile at you.

Have fun with your search, but be careful, there's a few people here who are pretty good at selling roadies Thanks Fellas

Shaun

[pundit]

Thanks guys.
You are right, they are all fairly well specced so it comes down to what feels most suitable.
I've had a gander at the Avanti and the Jamis and am now off to eyeball the Scott.
Then I'll go for a ride on each and decide - Cheers.

P.S. - I just wish manufacturers didn't make an artform out of ripping off consumers with over-the-top component prices.