Ok, so I raised my budget up to about $1000 and went back to look at the bike shops today. I looked at some Jamis but really liked a Felt Nine Sport and a comparable Specialized and then went and looked at a Kona Kahuna that was also close to the same as the others. I really like the looks of the Cannondale 29er's but no one around here stocks them. So... out of these which do you guys think is the best value for a grand. Thanks again