Oh dear....FS debate

[CarbonCandy]

I'm quite sick/bored of my "no-name" hard tail and its time to purchase a full-suspension. Considering I work in a shop and we carry Trek and Fisher, it would be more economical to get a Hi-Fi or a Fuel EX. I've already ridden the Fuel, but since we don't stock any form of the Hi-Fi, I don't have anything to compare it too. My boyfriend who also works at the shop says they ride totally differently. Anyone have/ride/own/demo either? Any help is much appreciated :]

I'm looking at...

Trek Fuel Ex8 wsd --> http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/2008/mountain_full_suspension/fuel_ex/fuelex8wsd/
Fisher Hi-Fi Deluxe --> http://fisherbikes.com/bike/model/hifi-deluxe-gs

[SJCzar]

I just got a Hi-Fi Deluxe in April. I really like it but it's my first "real mountain bike" so I have nothing to compare it to. It was recommended to me by a few friends.

I've taken her out on a few of the trails in the area and had a blast .... even with the expected falls and scrapes. It makes me feel like a young kid again when I ride that bike.

I enjoy the bike so much that I find myself using it for my commuter bike more often than my road bike. I feel more secure on the potholed, debris- filled city streets around here when I'm on the mountain bike. Sure it's more work, but it's so comfortable to ride that I don't mind the extra effort and time it takes me.

Sorry I can't give you any comparisons to other brands but I'm really happy with the Hi Fi.

[bike4ever]

I also sell Fisher. I rode the HiFi deluxe at Interbike. Then I hopped on the Fuel EX - back to the Fisher. I completely preferred the Fisher. I was set up by the same tech for the demo. I thought the Fuel was sluggish and clunky. My two cents.

[CarbonCandy]

So I got the chance to test ride a couple bikes today (in a parking lot :[ ) (and of course neither were wsd). The Ex8 and the Hifi Deluxe. I can tell you right now that I deff favored Hi-fi over the Fuel. Problem. I cant tell if it's because of the Sram on the Hi-Fi that I liked so much compared to the Shimano on the Fuel! Looking back, I can't really can't recall much about the ride. :(

So. Ladies, I appreciate the reviews from above and it appears I'm still searching...