so thats what I picked. Jamis XLT 2.0 2005 frame. heavy, robust, and fun....

I drove about 1.5 hours to test ride one of these bikes. A couple of guys who I knew from before. I rode a Dakar XC Pro and a XLT 2.0....Loved the ride of the XC pro and had a lot of fun on the XLT 2.0.....and just like a hot headed guy went with the sexier one- XLT 2.0......blonde, blue eyed, big ****s.....and not the intellegent, practical, funny one (XC Pro).......this had alweas been a problem for me...

so, for $350....I would give this frame a try......

Thanks each one of you for amazing help and info. I am personally indebted to dminor...thanks D...

sorry folks, no pictures till winter.....

best regards....