I looking at buying my first f/s bike, i've narrowed it down to one of the following

trek ex8

specialized stumpjumper fsr elite

giant trance x3

boardman f/s pro

can anybody help me decide

agree - try a few first, and don't just assume they'll either fit or suit you

Its probably taken me 6 bikes/frames (Apollo/Spesh Hardrock/Trek EX-Fuel/S-Works Enduro/XTC carbon and now On-One) and a pot full of cash to actually get one where everything suits/fits etc - oh and 4 years to get fit enough to exploit it!

Don't forget to consider the type of riding you normally do with your Mates.  A friend of mine bought a full suspension bike that was really designed for down hill only......we just destroyed him on the ascents and haven't seen him since!

One tends to spend considerably more time going up......than down!

Go for the Stumpy - They're like the Ford Focus of the bike world. Well priced, well made, well-specced, nice to ride and cheap to run!

The only downside (if you'd call it that) is that the world and his wife own one. But if you're ok with that, then you can't go wrong