Me, too! I've had three of them. My first was a purple one back in 1992. The paint peeled on that one so Specialized gave me a red (with yellow graphics) one. The head tube cracked on that one, so now I have a very industrial matte grey/blue finish that I am going to ride in half an hour.

 

Here's one for you guys...kind of dates myself but oh well... 1993 Crested Butte Fat Tire fest XC

Specialized M2 Team full Suntour XC Pro


Same bike as Ned Overend (only ridden much slower, by me of course)>

 

For that price range, Cannondale is the way to go.
No other bike in that price range will have a decent fork.
Cannondale's head shock is OK even on their low end. It won't bend like a low end fork does.

I have a Stuntjumper from Specialized, I paid $1050 in 2003.
The fork itself was more than half the price of the bike, so that was a good deal, and I'm happy with it.
But now bikes with those kind of forks are more in the $1500.

I rode several cannondales and I really liked them.
The geometry was better than my specialized for twisty trails.
Better balance, easier to throw in the corners.
My bike is better for the straights and power.

 

Even though I live just a town away from Cannondale... my mtb is the original Red S-works (circa 1990) Team edition M2 - the first batch that has Ned Overand signature on the top tube :-) exactly the same as the pics posted by AtlJimK !

 

2 weeks ago i just bought a stumpjumper comp 29 and LOVE it... i think it retails for around $1800 and i paid $1440 at a local shop. maybe u can find the same deal somewhere???

i was in the same price range as you, and was going to go with the rockhopper 29comp... i think its worth the extra $$$ because:

better front fork
better components
juicy 5 hydraulic brakes (vs. mech on rockhopper)
etc. etc. etc...

im not hardcore, so this bike was perfect, where i wont ever need to upgrade components, and fits my needs....

i love the 29" wheels. easy when i cruise around town w/ the wife... easy to climb... just not as nimble (no big deal for me)...

 

oh.. my buddy just picked up a trek full supsension bike on 2007 closeout...

not that you want a full sups bike, but check local shops for old 2007 models... you might be able to find a deal.. he got his for 30% of retail....

 

Another Vote for Cannondale.