Originally Posted by robo
How do you mean couldn't keep up? Pricing? Suspension tech?
Going into a bike shop for the first time in 7 years, it's amazing how mountain bikes have changed. Back in the mid 90's, a high end mountain bike was an elegant looking thing, hardtail usually, with an ultralight frame, svelte looking parts, and a 2.7" travel fork. Now, high end mountain bikes look like motocross bikes! They are built like tanks.. are those 4" tires on there?
It's going to take some getting used to. My old Tange Prestige Stumpjumper with the Softride stem is scared
High end bikes don't look like motocross bikes now, only freeride/downhill bikes
!
Check out the Specialized Epic and S-Works and the Trek Fuel series and the Kona Kula Deluxe. Racing hard tails that look like you mentioned above. The Epic especially!