Great thread and great stickies guys - very worthwhile information.

I'm looking for specific recommendations for my situation. I'm primarily a roadie. I do a 40 mile RT commute 2X's a week and ride our road tandem with wifey at least once a weekend. We ususally go 30- 40 miles on our rides. So the MTB will be #3 in line. I have a park with some trails near my house so I hope to get over there at least once a week and bang around. I'm in So Cal, so there's lots of large parks with great trails. I hope to get to those once or twice a month. This bike's not going to see a ton of use hence the more moderate investment.

I want to ride primarily single track, technical type trails and want to be able to go fast and hard. I'm 43 - way to old to freeride or DH But I'm also well insured so I will take some adrenaline surging risks. I'm 6'2", 240 (and dropping) with a 34" inseam. I feel like a need a really strong frame so that if I do hit a jump or a drop I don't have to worry about breaking it.

Spec's of what I think I need:
Hardtail
22" or XL frame (steel? 6061?)
deore components
Non-disc brakes
Good front shock

Specific models that seem to fit (looking at '05s since I can get a good deal):
- Secialized Rockhopper
- Trek 4800 (I almost don't want another Trek, although I love my 5200, I don't want to be a trek groupie)
- gary Fisher GED (My preferred LBS has a great deal on the GED - $700. A bit over my budget but that certainly seems like a killer deal. I know this is considered a freeride bike. Does that mean it woudn't work well for what I want?

Any others...?

Thanks for your suggestions.