
I would go in one of two directions.
I've run a few hardtails and i loved my Identiti Dr. Jeckyll the most.
The geometry is not for everyone but i loved it. I rode everything from BDRA BSX to Dragon DH on it. Its indestructible and stickered up looks the part.
However for the money a Curtis cant be beat as well. (the damn things never break) and one company people seem to have forgotten PASHLEY........