What is the difference between the shimano deore derailleurs and shifters and the SRAM?

Which Mountain bike do I buy?

• ok, so I am buying a new mountain bike and I need you guys input on which one. I have to choose from the... Thanks, really, for everyones help I can't dicide '07 Hardrock Pro Disc '06 RockHopper Pro Disc '05 Specialized FSR XC '07 RockHopper Comp Disc Here are the specifications of each bike... 2006 Specialized Rockhopper Pro Disc Frame: A1 Premium Aluminum Fork: Marzocchi Drop OFF Comp, 130mm-travel Rims/Wheels: Sun SingleTrack Hubs Front: Specialized disc; Rear: Shimano M-475 disc Spokes: Stainless-steel Tires: Specialized Enduro, 26 x 2.3 Crankset: TruVativ Blaze Chainwheel: 32/22 w/bash guard Front Derailleur: Shimano Deore Rear Derailleur: Shimano Deore LX Rear Cogs: Shimano HG50, 9-speed: 11-34 Shifters: Shimano Deore SL Handlebars: Aluminum riser, 31.8mm Tape/Grips: Specialized double-density Kraton Stem: TruVativ XR Brake Levers: Avid FR-5 Brakes: Avid BB5, mechanical disc Pedals: Aluminum platform Saddle: Specialized Body Geometry Sport MTB Seat Post: Aluminum, micro-adjustable Seat Binder: Aluminum quick-release 2007 Specialized Hardrock Pro Disc Frame: Specialized A1 Premium aluminum w/O.R.E. technology Fork: Marzocchi MZ Race LO, 100mm-travel w/lockout Rims/Wheels: Specialized/Alex Hubs Front: Specialized Hi Lo disc; Rear: Shimano M475 disc Spokes: 14-gauge stainless-steel Tires: Specialized Resolution, 26 x 2.1 Crankset: Shimano Chainwheel: 44/32/22 Front Derailleur: Shimano Deore Rear Derailleur: SRAM SX-5 Rear Cogs: Shimano HG50, 9-speed: 11-34 Shifters: SRAM SX-5 Trigger Handlebars: Aluminum, 31.8mm Tape/Grips: Specialized Enduro double-density Kraton Stem: Specialized 3D forged-aluminum Brake Levers: Hayes Sole Brakes: Hayes Sole, hydraulic disc, 6-inch rotors Pedals: Specialized aluminum platform Saddle: Specialized Body Geometry ATB Seat Post: Aluminum, micro-adjustable 2007 Specialized Rockhopper Comp Disc Frame: Specialized A1 Premium aluminum w/O.R.E. technology Fork: RockShox Tora 302 SL, 100mm-travel Rims/Wheels: Specialized/Alex Hubs: Specialized Hi Lo disc Spokes: 15-gauge stainless-steel Tires: Specialized Fast Trak, 26 x 2.0 Crankset: Shimano Chainwheel: 44/32/22 Front Derailleur: Shimano Deore Rear Derailleur: Shimano Deore Rear Cogs: Shimano HG50, 9-speed: 11-34 Shifters: Shimano Deore Handlebars: Aluminum riser Tape/Grips: Specialized Enduro Stem: Specialized 3D forged-aluminum Brake Levers: Avid FR-5 Brakes: Avid BB5, mechanical disc, 6-inch rotors Pedals: Specialized Aluminum Saddle: Specialized Body Geometry MTB Seat Post: Specialized aluminum 2005 Specialized FSR XC Frame: A1-aluminum, FSR technology Fork: Manitou Axel Comp 100mm-travel Headset: Aluminum Rear Shock: X-Fusion air Rims/Wheels: Aluminum Hubs Front: Stout Disc; Rear: Shimano Disc Tires: Specialized Adrenaline, 26 x 2.0 Crankset: Shimano, square taper Chainwheel: 44/32/22 Chain: Shimano Front Derailleur: Shimano Deore Rear Derailleur: Shimano LX Rear Cogs: Shimano Deore LX, 9-speed: 11-34 Shifters: Shimano Deore Handlebars: XC low-rise Tape/Grips: MTB double-density Kraton Stem: 3D forged-aluminum, 6-degree rise Brake Levers: Shimano Brakes: Linear-pull, aluminum Pedals: Aluminum platform Saddle: Body Geometry, dual-density base, steel rails Seat Post: Aluminum Seat Binder: Aluminum quick-release

• Answer:

  If possible, you should ride each of them on the same trail so that you can compare. If you go to a show/race, often the manufacturers are there and have bikes you can test ride. How much you're willing to spend and they type of riding you plan on doing really should influence your decision the most. For example, if you like climbing (as I do), you might pick the lightest bike. The lighter the bike, the more expensive though. If you like technical drops, you might pick the 2006 Specialized Rockhopper Pro Disc, because that has the 130mm travel fork. I've just upgraded from an old 100mm to a new 130mm and that extra 30mm makes a difference on descents. Disk brakes are nice, but I wouldn't choose one bike over another just because one had disks. Do you ride now? If so, trade with some of your riding buddies to get a feel for how different bikes ride. No matter what you get, if you really ride, you're gonna wear out just about every part on that bike (no kidding). If you get something with a nice fork and frame, but the rest of the gear isn't that great, you can just upgrade that stuff as it wears out. For example, my FSR used to be 8 spead, but the cassettte and chain and rear Derailleur have all worn out, so everything was replaced with 9 speed XT (and then all replaced again after a few years). The point is, it's better to get a good frame/fork with OK everything else than getting good equipment on a heavy/poor frame. I'd probably get the '05 FSR because that's a damn fine bike and is probably cheaper than the others. Mike.