Originally Posted by
Cheez
I highly recommend you look into Canyon mountain bikes, the Exceed CF7. It's out of your anticipated price range but you get a very nice bike as it is severely underpriced. The bike competes, and as good as more expensive $3000- $4000 bikes. You are getting a lot for the money and you won't regret later...
Ah yeah, the Canyon Stoic was also recommended to me for this reason.