So I started riding a couple years ago and it has instantly become my favorite sport. I live in a mountain town with great access to trails and probably bike 3-4 times a week during the summer.

When I got my first bike I didn't really know what I was doing but think I got good advise from the shop folks and ended up with a good sale deal on a bike I have been loving.

Right now Im riding a Kona process X CR/DL which is basically an Enduro style bike, carbon, with a deluxe kit. It has been an awesome bike for me and I have learned a lot using it so no complaints there really. Lots of the riding I do fits pretty well with the big 170 travel in that bike and the trails around me are pretty rocky.

The thing is I am starting to get interested in doing some longer distances and the Enduro bike is, well, an Enduro bike. It pedals well but as you'd expect it's a big bike with lots of travel. I am going with the idea of clipless pedals but I wouldn't want to put those on that bike just because I wouldn't feel comfortable with the jump lines and such I like to do.

That all being said, it has made me consider a second bike, which I can't believe I am saying since these things are ungodly expensive.

I am curious about other people's experiences with this, how worth it it was to get a second bike or not, and if having a lighter XC style bike is the move.

The main benefit would really be to have something for a different style of riding, not that my current bike has stopped me from going long distances, but it's somewhat limiting and I'd like to have different pedals.

Thoughts? What bikes might be good for this? I would consider a hard tail but as I mentioned our trails really are pretty rocky and hardtails out here can be meh.