funny you mention the intense traser 2 because today i stopped in at Southfork in Braunton on the way for a cheeky afternoon surf and there is was. it was beautiful. a traser 2 frame. excesive sliva imediately entered my mouth. its looking like a serious number one contender, more so because i checked out their website when i got home and it has a video on it with some way too relaxing moby-ish music on it and i struggled to contain myself. it would have to have an SLX build though to remain within budget but it would still compete and potentially be cheaper than a spicey 516 and around the same as orange 5 pro. what i liked was the fact that it seems to fill that gap between so many brands bikes ie – orange 5 to orange 5am, lapierre zesty to spicy.
test planned.
ps. it looks stunning. watch this
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eNL8s5NJ750

A few that have caught my eye:

Mondraker Dune
Last Herb AM (great write-up in Dirt)
Nukeproof Scalp

Not an easy choice is it? 🙂

Considered the whyte 146?

Surprised no-one has mentioned the Norco Fluid or the Fluid LT (may be called something else this year.)