jimmy-tiddlebun

I'll assume they both ride well, and choose the RAAW because its beautiful (or the Titan for the same reason) and the privateer is not.

@just6979: I get what you're saying mate, but you're still coming at things from the angle of 'People spending under $2k are beginners buying their first or second bike'. My point is that there are plenty of rippers who want to win races and train and race hard and who also don't want to or cannot spend even more than $1000 on a bike. They don't need my advice, they've been riding for 20 years, can burn me on any terrain and they don't care about comfort. As an aside, I disagree that everyone goes faster on a bike they feel comfortable on, and also that those people who are most comfortable are having the most fun. MTB for me (and I'm sure at least some others) is about feeling a bit sketchy, fighting on, fearing for your safety and coming out of it with a big grin... you don't need comfortable bikes to achieve this.

Hang on, only people spending $2K+ want to go fast? For a lot of people that's the most we will ever be able to spend on a bike, even if we obsess about bikes all day, ride hard most days, and enjoy racing many weekends.

Best thing I've seen on the internet today. North Carolina has everything!