Runnergirl, Since this is my first real MTB bike I don't know enough to get very technical. All I can say is that it felt good, and being last years model I did get a close out price that gave me a little more bike for my meger bucks. I did print out geometry charts for all the bikes I was looking at, and I tried to understand it all but . . . ??? Maybe I can tell you more after our christening ride on Sunday! BikerHen