Originally Posted by unsuspended
Here is a list of hardtails in no particular order for +/- $1000
You might consider keeping $1000 for the bike and a bit left over for some extras(there are always extras)
Consider new 2004 models. You can get a good discount on a brand new year old bike
Unfortunately you are probably in the "average" size frame which means that all the good 2004 deals are long gone. Now if you were able to shorten yourself by say 10", you could find some really sweet deals