IMO: When you buy Santa Cruz, you're adding alot of $$$ for the name. Just remember, the bike don't make the rider... I paid only $1000 for my brand new 2004 Haro Xtreme X2, and it'll go anywhere those two will go, and still let me have almost another $1000 to spend on either another bike or whatever. Don't get caught-up in the fashion wars in mtn.biking.