a choice of 3 bikes for a newbie

i have been to the lbs in my area and have narrowed my choice down to the 3 bikes below
i have been told the giant is a better speced bike than the p7 but as a newbie proberly wont know the difference
so not sure which one just looking to get the best value
rideing will be a mixture of road, trails, forest paths
thanks for the help bigtoddy
Orange P7
http://www.bikescene.co.uk/moreinfo.php ... 406&sale=0
specialized rockhopper comp disc
http://www.bikescene.co.uk/moreinfo.php ... 222&sale=0
giant xtc 2.5
http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/ ... 5-07-12440
i have been told the giant is a better speced bike than the p7 but as a newbie proberly wont know the difference
so not sure which one just looking to get the best value
rideing will be a mixture of road, trails, forest paths
thanks for the help bigtoddy
Orange P7
http://www.bikescene.co.uk/moreinfo.php ... 406&sale=0
specialized rockhopper comp disc
http://www.bikescene.co.uk/moreinfo.php ... 222&sale=0
giant xtc 2.5
http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/ ... 5-07-12440
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VOODOO CANZO
Come and see me at https://www.facebook.com/biketyke/
VOODOO CANZO
Come and see me at https://www.facebook.com/biketyke/
VOODOO CANZO
Come and see me at https://www.facebook.com/biketyke/
Although I ordered/reserved an Orange G3!
Just a preference thing!
The Rockhopper is a great bike
Giving it Large
Most mountain bikes are capable of taking far more than the average rider can dish out, but bad landings can cause damage. And there is a reason why we have all this tougher 'hardcore' kit now, as it can cope much better.
VOODOO CANZO
Come and see me at https://www.facebook.com/biketyke/
2006 Specialized Enduro Expert
http://www.pinkbike.com/photo/3192886/
2008 Custom Merlin Malt 4
http://www.pinkbike.com/photo/2962222/
2008 GT Avalanche Expert
http://www.pinkbike.com/photo/3453980/
SPECIALIZED Rockhopper Pro Disc or a
SPECIALIZED FSR XC COMP
both are teh 2008 bikes
they are £900 each just not sure about the fsr would it be any good and i carnt find any details regards the weight of the bikes
when i look at the specs they meen nothing to me so i dont know which one is better going to the lbs in the morning to pick one
cheers
The hardtail will be a faster and more nimble ride but harsher on the back over the rough stuff.
Have a go on both.
The Rockhopper Pro disc is 26lbs or so.
VOODOO CANZO
Come and see me at https://www.facebook.com/biketyke/
just not sure if i would be able to get it off road but prob up and down the road
VOODOO CANZO
Come and see me at https://www.facebook.com/biketyke/
there wasnt much in it between them and got a few accessories aswell
cheers