Specialize FSR vs Kona King Kikapu

AdamP

Sorry regular readers but another question about good / bad deals. I know nothing so love the advice?

Ok, Christmas bonus to burn (well, November bonus). Ride XC on rough paths, country lanes, fields. need to climb but not immensely and road ride to get there. want to be quite fast too. my LBS screwed me over on some work on my trek 8500 so looking further afield.

based on needs, etc, which of these is best -

2006 Kona King Kikapu £845
http://www.cyclesuk.com/ViewProduct.asp ... /pId/76957

2007 Specialized FSR XC £719
http://www.cyclesuk.com/ViewProduct.asp ... /pId/87935

2007 Specialized FSR XC COMP £879
http://www.cyclesuk.com/ViewProduct.asp ... /pId/87934
or, they seem to have the 2008 for £899 http://www.cyclesuk.com/ViewProduct.asp ... /pId/87706

Please help ASAP, going shopping tomorrow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



THANKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

FSR_XC

Can't comment on the Kona, but . . . .

I have an 07 XC Comp.

Tried the base model before buying this one. I found the Hope Sole brakes lacking a little. I didn't like that they would rub slightly when cornering (bike angled left I think). Was told this was because of how critical the set up is and that they worked on a single sided piston.

In addition forks and shock and gearing is better.

If you look at the 08 Comp spec, it is closer to the base 07 model than the 07 Comp. I think because they only have 2 models (not 3) now.