If this is for 2017 start doing rentals, demos and trying friends' bikes now. My "next bike" started with testing two seasons before we (I share with my wife) bought it.
It was totally worth it for me to try different wheel sizes, widths, different drive trains, and different suspension design. It was also totally worth it to spend some money on rentals and demos.
What really stood out with all my delayed gratification and trying stuff was it's some bikes that are awesome, not wheel size, suspension design, material or parts. Favorites were different makers, different wheel sizes, some with $1500 list price and some with $7000 list price.
The coolest parts of all the bike trials were riding same model with two wheel sizes, and riding same Treks with and without the "Reaktiv" shock. That shock is not hype. You really do get what you need when you need it.
Have fun shopping.
Well, that appears to cover the options.
What I'm trying to get at is what people think is the perfect set-up for Cam-Rock/Kettles? And maybe what would be the ideal set-up (presumably different) for Blue Mound or other more challenging trails.
One reason I got Remedy over Fuel EX, and why our regional Trek rep said he sold his Fuel Ex for a Remedy. The Remedy's got your back, yet pedals fast.