There's also Rocky Mountain but I'd buy a Cannondale or Scott. I think those are the top two carbon hardtails for the last few years.

I would give the new Yeti ARC carbon a look! My dad just got the 29er model and my mom just received one of the first 650b models and they're both gorgeous! Some of the nicest frames I've ever seen!

Niner don't recommend anything bigger than a 34 on the Air9; I assume others are similar.

Canyon and Focus are both big German brands. Definitely not boutique.

What about a Pivot Les, if only for the comedy name?

A few more options, some boutique and some maybe not:


http://www.kirkleebicycles.com/mountain/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;"

http://www.frmbike.biz/index.php/en/sho ... egory_id/5" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.paduanoracing.com/2/mountain_1155196.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.scapin.com/ita/mountain-bike-offroad/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.endorfinbikes.co.uk/bikes.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.festka.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.storck-bicycle.de/en/web-anz ... t=Mountain" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; Bikes&objekt3=Rebel Nine

http://newultimate.com/frames/big-warp-carbon-29" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://bhbikes-us.com/bikes/detail/28" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.pronghornracing.dk/index.php ... =1&lang=en" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.bmc-racing.com/int-en/bikes/ ... nbike.html

_________________
Orbea Oiz - xxxx
MSC Koncept Carbon Di2 - 6955g
Leichtkraft Team Carbon - 6868g.

Not sure if it'd be classed as boutique in your part of the world but something that's a little different looking is the "Mondraker Podium Carbon Pro SL" - http://www.mondraker.com/13/eng/bikes/P ... PRO-SL/302 - I found it the other day just having a look around, don't know much about it or the brand do couldn't comment on durability.

Something you probably don't get in Oz is a Pronghorn, http://www.pronghornracing.dk/, never owned one personally but ridden one and it felt good

BMC? Their importer is Brisbane based so finding a demo bike shouldn't be difficult. Some of the shortest chainstays going around for a 29er hardtail, and apparently the most comfortable as well...that doesn't mean it's a twitchey, slow noodle though...ask Absalon!

_________________
Grover's Grumblings
Grover's Garage

I have pictures of the Crumpton on my computer. I forgot about that bike. Looks incredible.

Im very happy with my superfly,
And let me ad to that i ride enough and stomp enough that they were bad it would been broken by now... Its 21" frame i way 90 kilo ( coming fom 100) it travelled on planes in back of the cars, enduros,100 km/6 hours/wa xc series..had it for two years. I would lve to but something new but im affraid it wont ad anything to it, i wish it would brake so i get a new one(; but it......

what about the new Yeti ARC Carbon? Has anyone ridden one and come back with reviews?

Not quite what you're looking for, but I do have some brief time on the new ARC. My parents both own one, my mom's is the black 650b frame and my dads is the large turquoise 29er frame. The finish on the frames is top notch! Didn't get a chance to weigh either frame but they very easily built up to the 22lbs mark with next to no focus on weight. I only have a brief ride on them as neither of them fit me very well, but the (brief) time I did spend on them was excellent, incredibly stiff! My parents (both cat 1 racers, very skilled) both shared similar feelings towards them, great climbing, fast descending, and second to none stiffness.

Sorry about the crappy pictures.

the angle of the picture is a bit off on this one, the bars aren't quite that high...

Swift D-Vore

What about a Bianchi Methanol? Mark at Bike Obsession on Albert Street should be able to get you more info on hem, might be able to source a demo bike too but I'm not sure on that count.