Hi,
 MS> A friend of mine swears by his GT Zaskar frame, although he warns that
 MS> it is  quite rigid. I have read here that chrome-moly frames are
 MS> 'springy'. I would  think that springy makes for a more comfortable
 MS> ride, but wastes a small  amount of energy. What are the considerations
 MS> of either type of frame, and  what are your opinions about your
 MS> stiff/springy frames? Any comments will be  read with interest, as it
Well, I'm sure you will get a lot of conflicting opinions, but I
personally think that Aluminum is a big waste of money.  If I could
afford an aluminum rig, I'd buy it -- but not because I think it is
better, mainly because of the prestige factor.  I have a Cro-Moly frame
that weighs less than 3.8 pounds -- less than many Aluminum bikes.
There are Cro-Moly frames that weigh less.  As to being springy, I can't
make any comparisons since I haven't ridden an Aluminum bike, but I have
never met anyone who felt that their Cro-Moly bike felt too springy.  I
have talked to some bike shop owners who thought the "stiffness" of
Aluminum is mainly hype -- and although it is stiffer, isn't worth the
extra money.
 MS> Also, everyone I know who has a decent bike says to get Shimano Deore
 MS> XT  components. Opinions?
Again, in my opinion, XT is mainly a prestige purchase.  Your buddies are
bragging about how great it is because they need to justify that they didn't
waste their money.  I use LX, and from personal experience, and what I've
read on the Net and in biking mags, there is very little difference (except
for weight) between LX and XT.  If a couple of grams are worth a couple of
hundred dollars to you, by all means buy XT.  It is the same scenario, I 
on't
think it is worth the money, I'd never buy it, but I'd sure like it just to
be able to brag I have an XT rig.
To give you a price idea, I just bought a Cro-Moly bike with full LX and
a JUDY XC recently.  Total weight, 26 pounds.  I paid $864.  An Aluminum
XT equipped Zaskar will run you $2150 (w/ Judy).  Is the Zascar a better
bike?  Sure.  Is it worth more than two and a half times more money?  I
really don't think so.
One thing to keep in mind as you shop is that you get the best deals on
the close outs from last year.  It is a little late now, but if you can wait
a year, you will be able to get a bargain on a '96 when the '97s come in.
I've bought two bikes that way and saved 22% off of the list price on both
of them.  On a big ticket bike, that is a lot of cash!
Good luck,
Lucas
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