What to buy?

I would like some advise on what to buy. I am going to the U.S. in june and want to buy a bike at Wheelworld in L.A. The amount I want to spent is around $ 1500.
I am a 42 year old with just a few kilo's to much body weight that likes to bike once or twice in the week in the forest around Oslo. Most of the time a hour or two but sometimes longer trips. Not to much downhill but not to much uphill eather.

So, here are the two bikes that I am interested in:



Specialized '07 Enduro Elite
Reg: $2,799.99
Closeout!: $1,599.99

Or this one:



'08 Specialized
FSR XC Expert
$1,549.99

So, any experts here that can come with some advise or people that ride the same bikes?
Is it gonna be posible for me to get the bike in the country without paying tax? I will use it in the U.S. so it will be a used bike on the way back.

Thanks for the help, its much appriciated.

Werner H.

I would defenitly go for the Enduro Elite! 140mm of travel sounds sweeter zipping around the trails near Oslo, plus you have the downhill option if you should feel like it. The overall spec is much better IMO making this a no brainer

To put it in simple terms:
Choose the Enduro if you want a bike that kan do "anything".
The FSR is what you want if your looking for a lighter bike more suitable for dirt/gravel roads and fast lowtechnical trails.

Again IMO 140>100mm

Just a short comment; If you're a few kilos on the heavy side you might consider getting a coil shock instead of air shock from the shop. Air shocks have a tendency to perform under par for riders over 75-80 kg. The enduro elite would probably get even better with this option in my opinion. However, you'll get a weight penalty on your bike, probably around 3-400 grams in addition.

Granted, the Enduro us a much burlier trail/all mountain bike than the FSR, but the FSR is by no way limited to easier trails and gravel roads. It can hold it's own very well on trails too, I bet.

It does aim more for the cross country segment, but limiting a 4" full suspension bike to fire roads is pushing it a bit too far.

That being said; I too would go for the Enduro in a flash. Much more bang for the buck, and better on technical/aggressive trails. What's best for Mr.Wicked is not for me to say, but if his riding will be mostly on the trails in Oslomarka, then I'm sure the Enduro is the best bet.

You should look at other options too.. Since it's a closeout, it may be out of stock by the time you arrive there.

It shouldn't be a problem to avoid MVA on the ay back. Maybe let the tires be dirty when you pack it so the customs can see that it's been used if you get controlled.

I like this thread.

Feels like home

I would say look for a steel 29`er hardtail, but thats another ballgame.....

Just a comment, on the way out of the office: The depicted Enduro Elite looks like a '06 model to me, not '07, in case that means anything.

The '06 enduro Elite has been tested by us, by the way:
http://terrengsykkel.no/index.php?id=1544

At 16 kilo`s your gonna either..

1. loose weight fast
2. Give it up as a bad game

If I buy it I call them this week and reserve it with my credit card, so that shouldnt be a problem.

Thanks for all the feedback. I am close to 100 kilo myself so a kilo more or less on the bike doesnt really kill me.
I should be around 90 however, didnt get to work out that much the last 5 months.

How do you see the difference?

The test of the 06 was interesting by the way.

Thanks.