Ok, been looking into it a bit more for your price range.
One thing I have noticed the fall of the aud is now really starting to make bikes dearer.
Another thing I've noticed the quality level of components vs price paid for bike have dropped.
My first giant was only a couple of years ago, I picked up a giant talon 0 which had sram x9 groupset, fox float fork, shwalbe rapid rod tyres and some other freebies thrown in for $999.
A bike of equivalent spec is now $1600.
My latests giant is a trance x29er 00 limited edition with xo groupset, serious suspension and a fizic seat plus a dropper post. (was a bit dearer at $5000 though) I can't even get a trance anymore with similar spec.
Sram x9 etc is the gearing components, avid elixir are srams brake components.
I personally prefer sram over shimano, but it really is a personal thing.
Sram is definitely more expensive than the equivalent shimano though.
Another option to look at is a standard hard tail mtb and then put hybrid tyres on it.
Provided the front fork has a lockout then you will have the best of both worlds.
As mentioned earlier if it is something you will make a real good of and keep, purchase on groupset quality, then brand.
If you aren't sure whether you will stick with it, purchase a brand name bike as the resale will be better. You will get less bang for your buck though.
Cheers
Evo
