Mykas would be a good package for your budget. The one thing I didn't like about Specialized is the short top tube, so for me I would I test ride. The Gary Fisher geometry is very different and many people cautioned me against it, then I loved it. So definitely try. Are you sure you need a WSD? I ride a 15-15.5" so many of the non-WSD don't go small enough. Since you are an admitted bike geek you can do my method and pour over geometry charts. I knew I didn't fit Specialized well so I compared the parts that didn't work to Trek and Fisher. I was sure I wanted to buy from LBS but I was lucky that my shop started a mountain shop so we have a good selection. Oops that got a little long!