Originally Posted by khuon
Why not do a frame up build? Pick a nice hardtail frame like a Pace RC200F8, add a rigid fork like a Pace RC31, mix in some SRAM X9 components with a little sprinkling of Shimano DeoreLX or DeoreXT, serve it all up on a pair of Mavic Crossmax wheels and you'll have yourself a very nice cross country machine.
Stop me drooling, the way to go for the money and the bike you want, especially with the pace frame, Just like I wanted 10 years ago but still can't afford. Kona "P" forks still available and still the best rigid.