FS bike suggestions?

[Harley]

Thanks for the info... I haven't checked out Specialized (except online). Guess I'll need to take a trip and find a Specialized dealer. The Era looks fantastic, however a bit out of my price range. I need to stay around $1500.

LBS handles Trek, Kona mainly but supply on bikes is low this year. I have only been able to try the Kona's.

It is fun looking... and you're right, I really need to try before I buy.

[katherine]

If you can find a last years model they're often way cheaper. My LBS had my bike marked down $1000 (ouch). I keep telling myself it was worth the cash to have it last season!

[Aggie_Ama]

Mykas would be a good package for your budget. The one thing I didn't like about Specialized is the short top tube, so for me I would I test ride. The Gary Fisher geometry is very different and many people cautioned me against it, then I loved it. So definitely try. Are you sure you need a WSD? I ride a 15-15.5" so many of the non-WSD don't go small enough. Since you are an admitted bike geek you can do my method and pour over geometry charts. I knew I didn't fit Specialized well so I compared the parts that didn't work to Trek and Fisher. I was sure I wanted to buy from LBS but I was lucky that my shop started a mountain shop so we have a good selection. Oops that got a little long!