Hm, well, a cyclocross bike is pretty versatile too. Almost as fast as a road bike, eats up fire roads, and can be used on easy mountain bike trails. But...I don't have any intention of buying one any time soon.
So I'm not chained to that frame anymore? Alright, here we go. I'd take this, eBay everything on there already, put some lighter components on it, make it into a weenie version of itself, and hopefully get a 24" trail bike:
http://www.specialized.com/ca/en/bc/...9451&gold_ses=
140mm Float up front (although making it a little burlier and putting a 140mm Argyle is tempting too)
RP23 in back
X.9 RD
X.0 shifters
e.13 bash and guide
Elixir 9s
Dirty Dog rotors because they're frickin' cool. 160 in back, 185 up front.
Straitline platforms
Selle Italia SLR with the TLD design
ODI Yeti lock-ons
Easton Monkeybar riser, don't know how high without seeing the bike
Thomson stem, don't know how long without seeing the bike
CK headset
Some decent SRAM cassette...I don't really care hah
Truvativ Noir 175mm
Willing to wait for that Fox dropper post
Gonna need to find a custom wheel builder for decent wheels probably.
And maybe Nevegals? I don't even know what other decent trail tires are made that size.
Pretty sure $3000 won't cover that.