As I mentioned in the Scales thread, I am replacing the Ruckus with a full suspension bike with gears. I am strongly considering the following:

Giant Trance X4
http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-US/bikes/mountain/2272/32148/


Specialized FSRxc Comp
http://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp?spid=40122&eid=95


GT Force 3.0
http://www.gtbicycles.com/usa/eng/Products/Mountain/All-Mountain/Full-Suspension/#5747


I was strongly leaning toward the Trance but after looking at the specs of the FSRxc it may be more up my alley. I don't need a full-out all-mountain rig but I'd like something tougher than your average XC bike. All of these appear to fit somewhere in the middle. Comments/suggestions anyone?

Fuck you, mother fucker.

I value your input and your friendship. What we have is very special.

Must it have that new bike smell?

No, I'd consider used if the deal were good enough. I'm also thinking about building.

What's your budget? The Cannondale Rush line is what I've been lusting over.  It took over for the Prophet series (so if you can find an '08 model, or a used one).  I've been wanting the Rush 6, and I think it runs about $1200.  The Rush is the more XC version of the Rize, which is more of a "Wooo Mountain Dew Jumping Dirt Bro!" bike.

I will check that out.

Budget wise I am probably looking at around $2k, but less would be nice. I think this is what I want: 100-140mm travel front and rear, 2x8 or 2x9 gearing, and something with an effective top tube of less than 25". I want something lighter than a DH bike but that won't break on a jump the size of that one at Scales.

Jumps won't break your bike if you land right.  I'm riding on a pure xc stumpjumper, and have never been nervous to jump it, if I'm landing on flat ground I'll just set the back tire down first.  Now yeah if your doing any kind of 3-4'+ drops go all mountain, but sometimes sacrificing travel for a light bike is totally worth it, in my case a light xc bike + clip in pedals = the ability to bunny hop over about any obstacle I encounter.

http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/motobecane/fly_xc.htm

I'm looking at this guy, for 1k it seems unbelievable when you look at the component list, the rock shox sid fork is 1k itself.  Upon research I've read that the frames aren't bad, just a little bit outdated as for as design, but its still a 23 lb bike with awesome shit for 1k.
 

Frames from Bikes Direct are made in the same factories in Taiwan as Giant, GT, Trek, etc. They bought the rights to names of old bike companies and sell them on their site for cheap because they don't put them together, offer the support of your local bike shop, or have to live up to the prices attached to the bigger brand names. 

I bought a road bike from them. Good bike, from what I could tell. I had to sell it shortly after getting it due to losing my job, and needing the extra cash. I did end up taking it to Dan's Competition to have them finish the build. I was perplexed by the rear brakes. I figured I'd rather have a professional do it rather than me trying to do it, then not being able to stop.

Guess it's time I post this. Some of you might recognize it.

Man that thing gets around.

I was told you built it. True?

True, but no warranty included

Hey, that bike used to live with me! 

You're not kidding. 

I wanna ride that thing out on the trails some time just to see how it feels.  Nice buy.

I agree with this guy.

You're more than welcome to do so.

This bike is a probably a size smaller than I would normally buy but actually fits me pretty well. Marc and I will be competing for who has the most extended seat post, but otherwise it's very comfortable.

This bike is going to get almost completely rebuilt over the winter. First order of business is a new seat post, but that's just so I can actually ride it. Other items on the agenda: swapping over the Hussefelt bar and Titec stem from the Ruckus, hydraulic disc brakes (not sure which, yet, but v-brakes are weak), beefier wheels. I'm also going to investigate a new crank - the XTR is great but I want something a little beefier and with a bashguard.

Also might look at a new fork, I want a 20mm thru-axle but I don't really know dick about forks so I have some reading to do on that. From what I can tell this fork is a CP125 which has 125mm travel (naturally). That's actually about the most travel I would want on a bike like this so I might just keep it. Definitely going to have to learn about fork maintenance though.

Overall I'm extremely pleased with this bike, it's just about perfect for me in every way, and satisfies both my buying and building urges because I get to do upgrades. Plus it's my favorite finish ever - RAW ALUMINUM

BTW anyone interested in buying the Ruckus? You'll have to be a tall M-to-the-F. I will let it go for a reasonable price.

I am one tall M-to-the-F, but, I do not need anotehr hard tail.  Good score on the FSR.  Can't wait to see the finished product next spring.