About to pull the trigger on my first real MTB. I really want something carbon and racey but not sure how much I need it.

The Evo 29er looks pretty nice for the money (1x10 and fox fork), my LBS has a couple 2012's marked down and weight seems reasonable as well for an aluminum frame. Frame looks racey enough if I decide to do a couple short XC races. I can probably get the 2012 for $1850 or $1900.

Liking the XTC 29er Composite 1 but not sure how much lighter it would be and curious if it would be worth the extra $$. Plus the frame looks almost too stiff.

I ride one, I like it a lot.
I've changed out a lot of parts on it, if you can get a deal, then it's a good purchase.
The stock wheelset is crappy, I didn't have much luck with the Avids and swapped them after the rear brake died on me in a race.
The crankset is a pig too, as well as the saddle and seapost.
1x10 is nice, but I might swap mine to 2x10 soon...