Well I've gotten to do some test rides over the past few weeks and yesterday finally got to really demo a couple of bikes on trail. The test rides were OK in terms of sorting out a few fit issues, but not much else, as suspected. For example, the Giant XTC 29er got my attention for value and long shot on fit, but after a 5 minute ride my shoulders and neck felt stressed out like on my first road bike -- too long to fix with part swaps. My body is NOT built for stock bikes...

It seems like the WSD 29ers mentioned here are probably not tall enough, but at any rate I haven't yet found them to ride -- either high demand and/or not yet available early in the 2011 model year. I'm still interested and will do some more calling this week.

General thoughts: the FS bikes I've ridden feel more like bulky machines rather than the freedom devices I like bikes to be. However the first time I decided to take one hard, tight and fast around a corner (on pavement, but still) I had the lightbulb moment about why FS can be so cool. Wow do they hook up on turns. Haven't ridden one that sings to me yet, in 26 or 29.

Despite the geometry looking impossible, my closest LBS kept telling me to try their hardtail 29er demo (GT Peace 9er, lots of upgrades including front shock). It's not a total match on fit, but better than most I've tried, and what a fun bike to ride. I was instantly more confident on the singletrack section I rode. Some due no doubt to the similarity to my road/cross bike in some ways...

It also seems that despite quite amazing suspension front and rear (serious improvements from last time I played on any bike with it!) that I am one of those people who is sensitive to aluminum "buzz". I really liked the ride quality of the Peace 9er and forgot it was steel til I thought about it on the way back. And I've not yet really enjoyed a ride on an aluminum bike. I know there are other factors (tires/pressure, quality of the shock, etc.) but that might help me decide.

I had the opportunity to borrow a used Dean Titanium hard tail 26er to demo. The fit is better than some, but still would take some significant tweaks to get even in the "oh heck I'll just learn to ride this over the winter and think about something else later" ballpark. I wasn't as comfortable as with the Peace 9er, but I did like it better than any other hard tail 26er I've tried. The frame just feels good (and light!). I could definitely see what some of you have said about having to pick better lines and stay attentive without FS, and why that might be better for learning.

So....still no decisions, but really appreciating the insights from this group as I think about another round of visiting bike shops.