2007 Gary Fisher hifi Plus ?

[alpinerabbit]

Ladies -

I can get a deal on this:
List of components in my order of importance...
Frame - aluminium, 16''
Suspension - Front Manitou Relic Super Air w/lockout, 120mm travel
rear Fox RP3
Avid Juicy 3 hydraulic disc brakes
Componentry - Shimano XT rear derailleur + Deore shifters & front derailleur
Asymmetric swingarm with Four Barrel dropout pivots (whatever that is)
Wheels - Bontrager Select Disc | Bontrager Jones XR 26x2.25/2.2 tires - wheels any good? my dealer says they have industrial bearings and he says that's good...
Shimano Deore M540 Hollowtech 44/32/22 crank w/XT spline (whatever, not really relevant)


I've ridden a 17,5'' Trek Fuel EX9 which is a much higher $$$ class of course. I think the only difference that I will notice is the Fox Talas fork which you can lower (? know-what-I-mean) for steep climbs, the Fisher's fork can't be lowered. That sort of fork only comes in the high-priced "package bikes" of the Trek/Fisher provenance. adjustable travel is probably the word

I liked the Trek but I thought it was a bit on the large side, and I think I like them smaller. My new road bike is really on the small side.
Although side by side the frames are about the same length, the Fisher has a much shorter stem and that's by design. Says the dealer. I like it. It feels - responsive? I'm told I will only notice the lack of lower-ability (adjustable travel ) on the fork on the steepest of climbs?

Go, or no go?
I'm 172 cm = 5'7''
I want to ride forest roads, some light trails, mainly for winter maintenance training. Some day maybe an easy ride in the mountains, nothing too technical. I liked our local bike park but that would only be to "get the hang of it".
If I make a mistake, at least I want to make a medium-priced mistake rather than a 4000$ mistake. And after my first road bike buy, that was too large - I'd rather err on the side of small.