Where’s your £4k going? New bike…

If I didn’t already have a carbon Raze, I’d definitely be looking at this Mondraker Foxy for £3.7k

https://www.freeborn.co.uk/mondraker-foxy-carbon-rr-2023-trail-bike

It sounds like you want a Santa Cruz with a bling spec – I’d just buy one of those in that case. The frame quality and hardware is very good on them and they work / have good warranty support if it’s new.

The Genius has a great spec for the money but the headset routing / hidden shock etc would put me off tbh.

“Another one is this ’22 Bronson for less money. Yes, I know it’s not a trail bike”

If it’s not a trail bike, what is it?

I reckon the Bronson is also in that long travel trail / enduro light sort of area with the Stumpie Evo, Sentinel, Ripmo etc etc

If it’s not a trail bike, what is it?

Pinkbike recently asked exactly that.  All Mountain whatever that is.

The bronson I demoed  on tamer trails  seemed slower than my v1 megatower and   my v2 to that end .  It felt sluggish  un weighted and un impressive  .  The sentinal and hightower are much better all rounders.

Stif have brand new Hightowers and Bronsons for 50% off… can get an XO AXS build for less than 4 grand with a full warranty…

Santa Cruz Hightower Carbon CC – XO AXS Kit

Santa Cruz Bronson Carbon CC – XO AXS Kit

Those SCs look amazing vfm. Assuming you’re not an Audi driving dentist, Orange have some closeout models on their website which I think have an additional 20% off with a code too.

Left field choice – Saracen have 15% off the Aerial 30 – Elite Spec then under £3.5k.

My wife just got a specialized status 2, you’d have plenty of change and it’s a great bike.

Left field choice – Saracen have 15% off the Aerial 30 – Elite Spec then under £3.5k

They fugly though…

Think the saracen is a great shout, and decent review on here a month or so ago.

I’d also look at the sonder evol. You’d get dream kit for that budget.

Wish them all the best, and nothing personal, but that second hand dealer offers on the first page, seem really keenly priced. I get the margins selling second hand are tight if a business and they look immaculate and great spec, but regardless of that, most value second hand is the age and model of the frame (in my opinion) and their prices compared to random Facebook marketplace or pinkbike seems optimistic

Rocky mountain?

https://www.paulscycles.co.uk/bikes/mountain-bikes/rocky-mountain-altitude-c70-enduro-mountain-bike-yellowblue__12704

Megatower 4k at leisure lakes…

Santa Cruz Megatower 2 GX AXS C Mountain Bike 2023 Trans Blue

Megatower 4k at leisure lakes…

That’s a pretty good answer to the OP’s brief TBF.

Nicely judged spec. Just get some inserts in them RF rims, the ones I had were a touch fragile.

Really Cant get passed the Atherton s150 for just above your budget

Or one of many oranges in the sale

I really do like to support brittish where I can and to see a small yorkshire business struggling is heartbreaking so I’d put my money there.

Yes there questionable ugly yes there’s better performing bikes out there but just like my terrier ,he’s an absolute flute 90% of the time but I wouldn’t swap him for any other dog.