Hi,

I would go with the best bike you can afford, and get the accessories as you go. You can find really good deals on stuff on eBay or by looking on Froogle. It's easier, and cheaper, to get the upgraded components when you buy the bike, rather than trying to upgrade later. With the 2100, you're also moving up a grade in frame, as well as getting carbon seat stays and a carbon seat post, both of which are going to give you a cushier ride. I assume you are going WSD for the slightly more upright riding position? Otherwise, you're tall enough to be able to pick anything.

What I would do is go out and ride everything you can get your hands on. At the LBS and all others within driving range. When I bought my second MTB, I was looking in the $2500 range, and the bikes that got good reviews in magazines and that looked the coolest to me actually weren't the best rides, for me. I ended up with a pretty obscure brand that I test rode in some tiny town in the mountains of GA. Being 5'2", it's also very hard to find the correct frame size to test ride- I ended up riding some shop guy's personal bike and loving it. I also test rode a bunch of WSD mountain bikes and hated them all- with the smaller components, such as a smaller diameter handle bar, I felt like I was on a puny kid's bike. I ended up getting a non-WSD MTB.

But- even after that experience, I have just bought a WSD Trek 2100, sight unseen, on eBay. I hope I like it! I'd _better_ like it!! I did a ton of research first. I will let you know after Wednesday. You're lucky- you can go ride one before buying it, which is the right thing to do.

Nanci