$2500 gives you alot of money to play with.... As im from the UK, i can only advise you on brands like specialized, Kona, trek, because the UK doesnt have companies such as rocky mojntain and Jamis, i cant recommend any of these to you as i dont know much about them
For your money, you can buy a Specialized Bighit comp -
http://www.specialized.com/SBCBkMode...m8h8b6z.j27003
cant say anything else, i gotta go out...
Other people will help you out a bit more, but for me the Bighit will do you nicely it will also leave you about $500 to buy helmets, Gloves, pads, bags, whatever else you need