MTB recommendations w/o SRAM shifters?

[Becky]

Can anybody recommend some 2007/2008 full-suspension MTBs that do not have SRAM shifters? I've test-ridden a few that have SRAM trigger shifters, and just don't like them. But it seems like everything is spec'ed with these anymore :( My price range is probably in the $2K neighborhood, but that's not set in stone....

If I need to, I guess I can swap them out for some Shimano Rapidfires, but I sure would like to not have to spend more money after buying the bike.

Thanks in advance!

Becky

[SalsaMTB]

You could build up a frame for about that much. Might not be as nice of a build as a stock bike, but it would get you away from the Sram shifters. Some frames to consider that you could do for about 2K...

Salsa El Santo
Voodoo Canzo

How much travel are you looking for?

[Becky]

You could build up a frame for about that much. Might not be as nice of a build as a stock bike, but it would get you away from the Sram shifters. Some frames to consider that you could do for about 2K...

Salsa El Santo
Voodoo Canzo

How much travel are you looking for?

Yep, I'm giving serious thought to building a bike. It's a long story, but this whole bike-buying thing has gone from being a very simple decision to a "back to square one" decision. I'm thinking ~4" travel, give or take. Around here (Mid-Atlantic), I really don't need much more than than.

That El Santo looks really nice. Slap a Reba fork on it, and it would be just about perfect for me. I might have to swing by my LBS tonight and get them to price out parts. QBP distributes Salsa, so my shop should be able to locate one pretty readily. Thanks for the tip :)

[bounceswoosh]

When you buy your bike at an LBS, won't they swap out anything you don't want? Surely you could get them to swap out the shifters? It would be more expensive than buying the bike as-is, but probably not as much as a custom build. Or does that entail getting a new drivetrain to match?

[bluebug32]

I would think that you could swap out the drivetrain at your LBS or just swap it yourself and sell the SRAM to break even. I did that with my Shimano stuff so I could have SRAM drivetrains on my bikes.

Konas still come with Shimano I think. I have a King Kikapu that has 4" of travel and I have a Reba fork on it. Granted, I bought the frame new and built it up. Can be a fun option too.