After getting run over by a car 2 years ago (literally), I put some of the insurance money towards a new XC bike. It started out as a base Epic Comp, but I've upgraded a number of the parts. I didn't have enough money for a "dream bike," so it may have been cheaper to simply buy a better model, but I find deals as they come up and here's what I've slowly built.

I do lots of research before buying parts and I try to find parts with excellent reviews. In some cases, I've gone through different types (Eggbeater pedals, etc..., before finding what I like).

There might be "better" bikes out there, but this bike fits me really well and just "feels good." I tried 29ers and other XC bikes, but when I tried the Epic, it just fit me really well.

FRAME - Epic M5 with Specialized Fox Brain Fade - Blue
FORK - Fox F100 RL 100mm
HEADSET - Chris King
STEM - Thomson Elite X4
HANDLEBARS - Race Face Next SL Carbon
GRIPS - Ergon Grips w/bar ends
BRAKES - Magura Marta SL with carbon levers
FRONT DERAILLEUR - SRAM X9
REAR DERAILLEUR - SRAM X.0
SHIFT LEVERS - SRAM - X.0
CASSETTE / FREEWHEEL - Shimano HG50, 9-speed, 11/34t
CHAIN - SRAM PC-951
CRANKSET - Truvativ Stylo
CHAINRINGS - 22S/32A/44A
BOTTOM BRACKET - Truvativ GXP
PEDALS - Shimano XTR SPD
RIMS - Mavic X317
TIRES - Bontrager Revolt SS (semi-slick) - not on the market any more
SEAT POST - Thomson Elite
SEAT - WTB Rocket V

I'd like to get some American Classic wheels (or an equivalent wheelset), but that gets REALLY expensive. The fork is fine for me - though I'm sure I could upgrade that as well. And of course, there's the crank and bottom bracket, but not much else.