£2K'ish for a FS - input appreciated

So I'm 6'1-6'2 and around 17 stone (not that much of a fat knacker honest) and have decided on a Fuel EX8 which will 95% be for Swinley singletrack and Surrey Hills with the odd day somewhere a bit more fun at the weekends.
Are there any other serious contenders at the current price point (1800/1900 squids seems to be the going rate) and also is the Fuel EX9 worth the extra spondoolicks?
I'm also happy to see any alternate words for £££ as squids and spondoolicks was all I could muster at short notice (greenbacks was another favourite but that's showing my age)
Are there any other serious contenders at the current price point (1800/1900 squids seems to be the going rate) and also is the Fuel EX9 worth the extra spondoolicks?
I'm also happy to see any alternate words for £££ as squids and spondoolicks was all I could muster at short notice (greenbacks was another favourite but that's showing my age)
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http://www.canyon.com/_uk/mountainbikes ... tml?b=2569
Orange Crush 650b 2014
Got my xc9 last week. Awesome bike and a great price. Will easily cope with Swinley but you may want more for your 'fun' stuff depending on how downward pointing it is.
What about an AM? The 8X looks tasty, similar price and is in stock. There won't be any more silver xc9s, that's it for this years stock.
EDIT or wait for next years models to come through