LTS and Specialized FSRs are far and away the class of the pre-97 bikes.
Pedal quite well, don't do weird things under power or braking (well LTSs do jack up a bit under brakes), reliable particularly if Fox sprung rather than Rockshox, and not prone to breaking like some others (LTS-DH chainstays being an exception to that).
As to weight, my 7005 Taiwan LTS-2 with a SX-Ti fork and M737/M900 mix is bang on 26lb built up, not heavy considering it is running Maguras and Rhynolite rims with steel bead Dusters; an American built 6061 early LTS Team with an Alps shock rather than rockshox coil, built with a Judy SL Ti or Mag 21 SL, M900 and light rims and tyres would have to be high 23-low 24lb range.
I would not buy any URT or high pivot bike personally (apart from maybe Foes and Mountain Cycle).