Hey Mountain Bike Action guys: I am 5'6" and 145 pounds. I want a fast, efficient, light, and, most of all, inexpensive hardtail cross-country race bike for cross-country and endurance racing as my second bike (I already have a Yeti 575). What bikes would you suggest for $2000?  
-Gabriel, ready to race


Mountain Bike Action: Can we throw you a curve ball? We think you should take some of those 2000 dollars and fit your Yeti 575 with lightweight wheels and tires. The Yeti 575 is far from a porker of a frame, and even with almost 6 inches of travel, it would serve very well for endurance racing and sport-level cross-country racing. If your talents have elevated you above the sport level, the cold hard truth is that a $2000 hardtail is not going to cut it, because your competition is going to be competing on lighter and better-equipped hardtails or dual-suspension bikes. If you don’t like our first suggestion and are set on a $2000 hardtail just for cross-country racing, we’d recommend the Cannondale Flash 29'er 2. The thing is a little rocket, and the current generation Lefty fork is the best yet. Another cool feature (for racers) is the 2x10 drivetrain.

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