Quote Originally Posted by Flopsy View Post
Okay, so I know this is a fell running forum but I know many of you MTB too!

I'm quite an experienced MTB'er though mainly XC for the last 12 years or so. Been riding a stumpy hard tail for quite a while. Looking to buy an additonal MTB and looking at options.

I'm looking for a bit of an all rounder. I still want to do XC but I've been getting into trails and more technical stuff in the last year and so want a bike that will cope with jumps and fast direction changes as well as be comfortable for longer days in the saddle.

Thinking carbon fibre full sus. Have ruled out 29'ers as not sure they would be so good on the technical stuff. Not after a female bike as I'm tall and long limbed.

Any recommendation for makes / models? Less then 3 grand would be good if possible.
Flopsy in a rather lazy way I haven't read all the replies to your post but would like to add the following. I have been MTB in some form for over 25 years and have tried most types of MTBs along the way incl bouncers, hardtails and even a softtail. I use my bikes for just about anything from full on xc racing to weekends in the lakes. I have recently been fortunate enough to be able to buy an new bike and have got to honestly say that it is by far the best and MOST versatile bike I have ever owned. My advice would be go and have a test ride on a 29er as I'm sure you will not be disappointed. And the bike I hold in such high regard is my £1000 hardtail Whyte 629 29er, utterly utterly brilliant.