I've ridden the Liquid and its more oriented to XC than it is to freeride, the geometry wasnt upright enough for jumps and drops in my opinion, and i never really felt comfortable thrashing it around. If you are looking at a light freeride/enduro type bike I'd also look at the Giant VT 2, I've ridden it and i loved it, felt very much like my Enduro but had the swinger shock in the rear. I think they might have a cheaper version this year thats around 1500, not sure on the parts spec. though.