welcome mike, too bad the screen name super_mike was already taken...
picked up the Cannondale F7 it was time to upgrade from the costco mongoose that i have crashed so many time in the past 5 years and my wife and daughter took sympathy on me and gave me cash
the cannondale was in the price range for me i did test the trek,giant and specialized
this one just felt better.
Mike .
If your F7 is an o8 you should ditch the CST tires ASAP! They are not trail worthy and maybe even dangerous!