Are you going to be racing or having fun?

If just fun I'd be looking for a Hardtail Plus bike in either 27 or 29 depending on how big you are. Most people over 66" will fit on a 29er though.

$1500 might be a stretch for a new 27.5+ fs. I've seen Raleigh have sales from time to time. If you have a corp acct it makes itore likely.

Friends rave about the salsa pony rustler, though that's out of the price range.

Another option might be a 27.5+ ht with either a dropper or suspension seatpost, like the thudbuster.

Will your 29er fit 27.5+ wheels? That may be something to research as well. Maybe checkout mtb forums for more info.

I have a friend that has a 27+ Salsa Pony Rustler. She loves it.

Switching wheels may work and if I add a dropper post would that make a difference ?

If racing, stick with the 29er. 27.5+ is more about fun than speed.

I agree that a HT 27.5+ is more attainable than FS in that price range. Felt has had the best deals I've seen.

If you want something easy to handle on the trails that is very comfortable I would look at a fat bike. Here is a video of me racing mine this summer.

https://www.youtube.com/...BrFynwgUadJqmKv9_elp

Agreed. For just fun. Fat all the way, especially since we have suspension forks now. I think bikesdirect has some options for fat ht.

Dropper helps with techincal downhills.

If racing, agreed with post above, 29er can be fastest.

I have a 29er ht, giant carbon. My issue is height and skill. I'm 5'7 and switchbacks I suck.

My most recent build is my anything bike. Salsa Fargo, with couplers for travel. Just bought a 27.5+ wheelset. May add a 100mm fork if I want to do tour divide or something similar.

i think i figured out your problem.

I think you can find a Salsa Timberjack in that range.

Check out the Diamondback Clutch (27.5+) or the Release (27.5). You can find both in your price range. Nashbar has the Clutch for $1100 ish and you can find the release for around the same.

Entry level Specialized Camber 27.5 is $1650 MSRP.

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"They're made of latex, not nitroglycerin"

I’d go bikesdirect.com.

FS at that price is going to suck. I'd suggest getting some wide 27 wheels for the bike you've got, and run with that.

Giant Stance (brand new) is decent for that price range.

Marin Hawk Hill.
Check this out:
http://reviews.mtbr.com/marin-hawk-hill-review
Mike

Gt Verb.