Which of these 3 bikes have the best components? They are all within my price range and I have narrowed several mountain bikes at my LBS down to these as they fit pretty well.

How good are the forks on each?? I've used the shifters on bike #3 for years and like them quite a bit. Are they very different from the shifters on these other bikes??


BIKE #1 price: $719

Frame:

WSD Alpha Black Aluminum w/semi-integrated head tube, twin taper down tube w/integrated gusset, formed top tube, wishbone seatstay, forged dropouts w/rack and fender mounts, replaceable derailleur hanger

Front Suspension

RockShox Dart 3 w/coil spring, rebound, TurnKey lockout, alloy steerer, WSD Rider Right spring weight, 100mm


Wheels

Shimano M475-L hubs; Bontrager Ranger rims
Tires Bontrager Jones XR, 26x2.25" front, 26x2.20" rear

Drivetrain

Shifters SRAM X.5 trigger
Front Derailleur SRAM X.5
Rear Derailleur SRAM X.5
Crank Shimano M442 44/32/22
Cassette SRAM PG950 11-34, 9 speed
Pedals Wellgo alloy platform

Components

Saddle Bontrager SSR WSD
Seat Post Bontrager SSR, 31.6mm, 20mm offset
Handlebars Bontrager Approved Riser, 25mm rise
Stem Bontrager SSR, 10 degree
Headset VP-A42E, 1-1/8" semi-integrated, sealed
Brakeset Avid BB-5, mechanical disc w/Pro Max levers

BIKE #2 Price: $679

FRAME Specialized M4 fully manipulated alloy frame, fully butted, externally relieved HT, forged dropouts w/ replaceable derailleur hanger, disc only

FORK SR Suntour SF11-XCR-DS-26-LO-SP, mag. lower, 30mm steel stanchions, hyd. damping w/ lock out and custom tuned spike valve

HEADSET 1-1/8" threadless, loose ball
STEM 3D forged alloy, 7 degree rise, 31.8mm clamp

HANDLEBARS Butted alloy riserbar, 25mm rise, 8 degree back sweep, 6 degree up

GRIPS Specialized Enduro, dual compound Kraton, no flange, 131mm

FRONT BRAKE Avid BB5, mechanical disc, 160mm G2 Clean Sweep rotor

REAR BRAKE Avid BB5, mechanical disc, 160mm G2 Clean Sweep rotor

BRAKE LEVERS Alloy, linear pull

FRONT DERAILLEUR Shimano Altus, 34.9mm clamp

REAR DERAILLEUR SRAM X.5 8sp Mid cage

SHIFT LEVERS SRAM X.4 trigger

CASSETTE SRAM PG-830, 8-speed, 11-32t

CHAIN KMC X8 w/ reusable Missing Link

CRANKSET SR SunTour, Octalink spline

CHAINRINGS 42S x 32S x 22S replaceable

BOTTOM BRACKET Shimano BB-ES25, Octalink spline, cartridge bearing, 68mm x 118mm

PEDALS Plastic platform, toe-clip compatible, reflectors, 9/16"

RIMS Alex RHD 26", alloy double wall, pinned w/eyelets

FRONT HUB Forged alloy, hi/low flange, double sealed, ground race, machined disc mount and flange, QR, 28h

REAR HUB Forged alloy, mid flange, double sealed, ground race, machined disc mount and flanges, cassette, QR, 32h

SPOKES 2mm (14g) stainless

FRONT TIRE Specialized The Captain Sport, 26x2.0", 60TPI, wire bead

REAR TIRE Specialized The Captain Sport, 26x2.0", 60TPI, wire bead

INNER TUBES Presta valve

SADDLE Specialized Rockhopper XC, Body Geometry, 143mm width, front and rear bumpers

SEATPOST Alloy two bolt, 12.5mm offset, micro adjust, 30.9mm

SEAT BINDER Alloy QR, nylon washer



BIKE #3 Price: $591

Frame

Alpha Black Aluminum w/semi-integrated head tube, formed down tube w/integrated gusset, formed top tube, monostay seatstay, forged dropouts w/rack and fender mounts, replaceable derailleur hanger

Front Suspension

Suntour SF10-XCM-PM-HLO w/coil spring, preload, lockout, 100mm

Wheels

Wheels Shimano M475-L hubs; Bontrager Ranger rims
Tires Bontrager Jones XR, 26x2.25" front, 26x2.20" rear

Drivetrain

Shifters Shimano M410, 8 speed
Front Derailleur Shimano M310
Rear Derailleur Shimano Deore
Crank Shimano M361 42/32/22
Cassette SRAM PG830 11-32, 8 speed
Pedals Wellgo alloy platform

Components

Saddle Bontrager Race Lux
Seat Post Bontrager SSR, 31.6mm, 20mm offset
Handlebars Bontrager SSR, 25mm rise, 6 degree bend
Stem Bontrager SSR, 10 degree
Headset VP-A42E, 1-1/8" semi-integrated, sealed
Brakeset Avid BB-5, mechanical disc w/Pro Max levers