Best new ultra bike under $3500

[michael obrien]

Im looking for a new bike to replace the worn out Giant taking up space in the corner of the garage, and I would like to keep it under $3500- actually I need to keep it under that amount.

I would also like to get into bikepacking and some ultra races. I would keep the Giant for pulling the kids in their trailer, so this would purely be used for distance travel.

I am thinking hardtail, something in the line of Trek Procaliber 9.7 SL. Any pros/cons on this bike? I would not be against picking up a better model, but slightly used either.

thanks !

[bakerjw]

Well, I just built up a Lynskey M290 Titanium.
The frame ran about $875.00.
$99.00 for a no name Chinese carbon fork.
$280.00 for a WTB i23 wheelset on SRAM X9 hubs.
Shimano XTR 2x10 shifters and derailleurs for perhaps $400.00
Avid BB7 brakes for $100.00
Cassette, chain and Shimano Deore XT crankset for $200.00ish.
I already had seat tube, saddle, stem, and handlebar.
Probably total investment of $2,000 when all was said and done.

Nothing teaches you about bike maintenance like building one from the ground up. And you also have complete control over all components.

I still have some weight weenie work to do on it but I've also got a Foundry Firetower in the wings to build up too.