Whew!

[Aggie_Ama]

Boy am I glad that I bought the Epic when I did. I looked at the Specialized updated website and the '09 Epic starts at 4K. Jimminy!

DH pointed out there is no longer an Aluminum Epic. His Stumpy would be $200 more but have better (or newer) brakes. Otherwise he said it is a carbon copy of the one he bought. I don't think that is a ridiculous increase, I am pretty sure it is consistent with their increases the past few years. Difference is I am pretty sure they have been upgrading prices and downgrading components on the road bikes.

[Becky]

I was surprised to see that the 2009 aluminum GT Marathon only went up ~$300, in spite of having the new SLX gruppo on it. Granted, they did put a slightly lesser fork on it. Otherwise, the spec is remarkably unchanged from my 2008.

I think I know what I'm getting DH for Christmas....

[sundial]

DH pointed out there is no longer an Aluminum Epic.

Yeah, I'm glad I bought my lum dum bike than to be forced to go with carbon fiber.

[Aggie_Ama]

Yeah, I'm glad I bought my lum dum bike than to be forced to go with carbon fiber.

The number of times I get up close and personal with the rocks, it would be STOOPID for me to have carbon fiber on the trail. My Tess and I have become one with several rocks and even a couple trees, she takes a licking and keeps on ticking.

DH considered the Epic since it is "racier" than his Stumpy but it was over his budget, he wouldn't consider the carbon himself and he is pretty skilled I reckon.

[sundial]

...it would be STOOPID for me to have carbon fiber on the trail.....

LOL! Yeah, you and me both.