Hi-spec, lightweight, quality 29'er wanted

[m3psm]

What I'm ideally looking for is a high-spec, medium framed mountain bike. If it has a high quality dynamo hub LED light set up too, all the better.
I had a heart attack a few years ago, so it needs to be lightweight. I'll be using it in the local woods and bridleways in winter, so it needs to be robust and reliable. The terrain varies a lot so it needs good air suspension. I want great gear selection and good feel and modulation on the brakes.
Because of the heart attack, I won't be tearing through the woods at breakneck speed. Nor will I be throwing myself down a mountain. That said, I have a Whyte Montpellier hybrid and love the quality components, so don't want to downgrade on the mountain bike.
I have another ad for a hub-geared version which is my preference, but I know these are thin on the ground, hence this advert as a plan B.

The sort of thing I'm looking for (I think) is a Whyte 729, but I'm open to suggestions.
My budget is around £1k. This is flexible for the right bike though.
So, what do you have?
Paul

 

[Drago]

29ers are great, but not so cool in winter when the huge hoops hold on to several kg more mud and clag than a.smaller wheeled bike.

The Whyte is good, one of the best at that price. The Specialized Carve HT is also decent. The Voodoo Bizango runs them both very close and is much cheaper - Voodoo currently.doing to MTBs what Boardman did to the road bike market a decade ago.

 

[m3psm]

Thanks Drago, then maybe a smaller wheel like a Whyte (do you see a pattern, lol) 950 or similar. Will look in to Voodoo too.

 

[Drago]

Whyte really have their act together in the HT department. Glad to hear you're not letting the ticker keep you down.

BTW, is that a foundation call sign?

 

[m3psm]

Cheers Got to keep it beating

Really like the Whyte brand, but can't afford new and always get better value second hand.

Call sign is just the car I used to race and my initials