looking for a new(ish) aggressive xc or enduro "light" bike

Transition Smuggler. The new SBG model might depress the price of the old model.

I have the old model and it is fantastic.

thanks boys, the smuggler sounds good but there's nothing in my price range $2k or less. 

bikes currently on the list:

2016 Kona Precept 150 (27,5") - L

2010 Specialized Stumpjumper FSR Expert - M

2010 Specialized Stumpjumper FSR comp - L

2013 FELT EDICT NINE 3 - L

2011 Giant Anthem X 29er - L

2011 Specialized Enduro S Works - L

2012 LaPierre Spicy 516 - M price is great @ $1000

opting for a longer front center and a shorter stem with their Forward Geometry concept and moving away from the previously more roadie influenced design ethos that the industry had held onto for what some would argue was far too long.

looking at the different bikes clearance sale has now got me thinking about a new bike instead. the kona process 134 at $2500 looks like a good option but I'm wondering if it's worth stretching the budget to $3500 for the liv hail advanced 1 for a plastic frame and better part spec.

or maybe do the process and a fork upgrade instead?

Very different beasts IMO. The Hail probably doesn't qualify as "Enduro Light" anymore, rather as full-on Enduro. Judging from my Trance and the wife's Reign, it should be a splendid descender, but climb just to get to the next descent. Heard good things about the Konas, no personal experience. The right fork could probably make it into a great bike. As someone who's been on a plastic frame for the last 4 years: Yes, they do feel a little different, but not worth it on a fll-susser IMO. Saves weight, though. If I were to build a custom bike and money were no issue, I'd probably still end up with a metal frame. Or not, if the frame I wanted were only available in carbon.

I was about to pull the trigger on a 2016 process 134 but with the knowledge that I was going to have to eventually upgrade the 2x drivetrain and stick a 150 pike on the front.
I eventually got a great deal on a 2015 process 153 but the geo feels exactly the same as the 134 - it's a great bike for the pricepoint with those caveats.
The long, lower, slacker geo - very low standover - on 27.5 flies round corners. I found my head and eyelines were looking perfectly through berms and it is very responsive to input especially as speed picks up. The 134 will certainly pedal uphill a little better than the 153 I think, so that is a big plus if that's what you're looking for.

DISCLAIMER - I was coming off a 2005 Kona stinky so a lot of bikes feel more better, but the process really got me for price and feel

I looked around for the past 6 months new and used and just picked up a 2017 devinci troy eagle xo all the good stuff. Love this bike coming off a 2011 enduro!

this suddenly piqued my interest

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ptk3qUDlj_o

https://www.pinkbike.com/news/calibre-bossnut-v2-review.html

Posted by: tungsten

https://www.pinkbike.com/news/calibre-bossnut-v2-review.html

Yeah I've read that review and a few others. with adding a dropper post, after exchange and potentially having to pay GST it would be at my door for about $1900 CDN. There are a couple of quibbles though. The first is the 135mm QR rear end instead of a 142, but if this is going to be primarily a trail/xc bike that's something I think I won't have any issues with.  The second is the deraileur hanger - spares aren't available from the dealer/shop so I'd have to buy aftermarket and they're going to cost me about $60 per. I would want to order at least one extra to have a spare on hand so if one broke I wouldn't have any down time. @ $60 I almost might be better off just taking the one of the bike into a rider friendly machine shop and ask them to make me a copy. 

At $1900 it's a great deal, but for the same money I can get into a used Process 111 with a better parts spec. Decisions, decisions....

Posted by: syncro

the 135mm QR rear end

Deal breaker.....

but for the same money I can get into a used Process 111 with a better parts spec.

...this.......or go skiing and save your change for a 2017 next spring.

so the selection herd seems to be thinning....

smuggler

scout

process 111 or 134

sight

Devinci Django 29er very very fun machine

Posted by: DemonMike

Devinci Django 29er very very fun machine

sounds like it - seems like I could knock the sight off the list and replace it with the django instead