myenzo

I am looking to buy a freeride bike this april, and I have narrowed it down to the Specialized BigHit 2 or 3. I know that the 3 has better compnents, but I don't want to spend the extra $600 if I have to. What I want to know is if the 3 will last me longer and be worth the extra $600.
Specs for the 3

FRAME All new BigHit FSR, 6061 ORE TT/DT, full cartridge bearing, ISCG mount, asymetrical rear triangle, 26" F/R wheel, adjustable geometry
REAR SHOCK Fox DHX 3.0 coil, 8.75x2.75", adjustable rebound and IFP pressure, 208mm travel
FORK Marzocchi 888 VF, 200mm travel, flat crowns, internal rebound adjustment, 20mm thru axle
HEADSET 1 1/8" threadless, alloy upper cup with OS bearing, 7050 alloy lower cup with 13mm insertion
STEM Integrated Marzocchi 888 for 31.8mm bar
HANDLEBARS Specialized Demo rise bar, 6061 alloy, 31.8mm clamp, 6 degree upsweep, 9 degree backsweep
GRIPS Specialized MTB grip, natural/black
FRONT BRAKE Avid Juicy 5, hydraulic disc with 8" Polygon rotor
REAR BRAKE Avid Juicy 5, hydraulic disc with 8" Polygon rotor
BRAKE LEVERS Avid Juicy 5
FRONT DERAILLEUR None
REAR DERAILLEUR SRAM X-9, micro cage
SHIFT LEVERS SRAM X-7 Trigger, 9-speed
CASSETTE Shimano HG50, 9-speed, 11-34t
CHAIN SRAM PC-971 with Power Link
CRANKSET Truvativ Hussefelt, 170mm with BlackSpire DS-1 alloy bash guard chain guide
CHAINRINGS 34T, 4 bolt, compact 104mm pattern
BOTTOM BRACKET Truvativ Howitzer XR, oversize sealed outboard cartridge bearing, 73mm shell
PEDALS Alloy platform, 3mm pressed pins, 9/16" Cr-Mo axle
RIMS Mavic EX325 d
isc, 26", 36 hole
FRONT HUB Specialized disc, 36 hole, 20mm thru axle
REAR HUB Specialized disc, 36 hole, bolt on axle, 135mm spacing
SPOKES 2.0mm (14g) stainless, black, brass nipples
FRONT TIRE Specialized Chunder 26x2.3" 60 TPI, aramid bead, 2 ply, Butyl insert, soft compound
REAR TIRE Specialized Chunder 26x2.3" 60 TPI, aramid bead, 2 ply, Butyl insert, soft compound
TUBES Specialized 26x2.4" schraeder valve
SADDLE Specialized freeride light, 8mm hollow Cro-Mo rails with X-Brace, super light foam
Specs for the 2

FRAME All new BigHit FSR, 6061 ORE TT/DT, full cartridge bearing, ISCG mount, asymetrical rear triangle, 26" F/R wheel, adjustable geometry
REAR SHOCK Fox Vanilla R coil, 8.75x2.5", 190mm travel
FORK Marzocchi Drop-Off Triple, 170mm travel, air assist, rebound adjustment, double clamp, 20mm thru axle
HEADSET 1 1/8" threadless, OS Cro-Mo cups
STEM Truvativ Hussefelt, forged/CNC stem, 5 degree x 40mm, 31.8 clamp, black
HANDLEBARS Specialized Demo rise bar, 6061 alloy, 31.8mm, 6 degree upsweep, 9 degree backsweep
GRIPS Specialized MTB grip, natural/black
FRONT BRAKE Avid Juicy 5, hydraulic disc brake 8" Polygon rotor
REAR BRAKE Avid Juicy 5, hydraulic disc with 8" Polygon rotor
BRAKE LEVERS Avid Juicy 5
FRONT DERAILLEUR None
REAR DERAILLEUR SRAM X-9, micro cage
SHIFT LEVERS SRAM X-7 Trigger, 9-speed
CASSETTE Shimano HG50, 9-speed, 11-34t
CHAIN SRAM PC-971 with Power Link
CRANKSET Truvativ Hussefelt, 170mm with Truvativ chain guide
CHAINRINGS 34T, 4 bolt, compact 104mm pattern
BOTTOM BRACKET Truvativ Howitzer XR, oversize sealed outboard cartridge bearing, 73mm shell
PEDALS Alloy platform, 3mm pressed pins, 9/16" Cr-Mo axle
RIMS Sun Single Track SL-1, 36 hole, 26" F/R, schraeder valve
FRONT HUB Specialized disc, 36 hole, 20mm thru axle
REAR HUB Specialized disc, 36 hole, bolt on axle, 135mm spacing
SPOKES 2.0mm (14g) stainless, black, brass nipples
FRONT TIRE Specialized Chunder 26x2.3" 60TPI, 2 ply, soft compound
REAR TIRE Specialized Chunder 26x2.3" 60TPI, 2 ply, soft compound
TUBES Specialized 26x2.4" schraeder valve
SADDLE Specialized freeride, 8mm steel rails, with X-Brace

zx108

did you look at any other bikes? kona, santa cruz, trek, etc.

i am not too fond of the new bighit frame(my 2-cents)

Maelstrom 

Curious why? Have you ridden one? Its one of the most proven designs strength wise. FSR is still the standard most companies are working for in regards to pedalling efficiency, the 24" was a weakness to some but now it is 26". Specialized has better warranties than most and the price is cheap.

Is it just the looks?

zx108

yea.

myenzo

I have looked at the other bikes, my friend rides a bighit and I felt confident while riding it.

Maelstrom 

Where do you intend to ride it. The frame is the same, the difference is in the linkage creating more travel. Personally I would get the 2. Better shock and better components.

myenzo

I intend to downhill race with it and go freeriding all around colorado. And isn't it the 3 that has the better shock and fork?

Maelstrom 

oops read the numbers backwards. YEs I would get the 3...

I prefered when they used names. Bighit comp, expert and dh. It geometry doesn't lend itself to great dh racing. The geometry is "designed" to be more fr. Not so slack a HA and short chainstays.

myenzo

I always thought that the names were harder to remember, but thats me. Unfortunatly I cant have everything I want, but I can get close. If I had my way I'd get a Demo 8 and 9 that way I'd be covered. I think I'll be doing more freeriding because thats what my friends do, and I also think its a good time.