This season I got to race the first races in a 26" fully suspended bike, and the other half of the races on a Ellsworth Enlightenment 29er hardtail. I love the 29er, as it does everything great and it works great for me. I found that the Enlightenment 29er:
1. Climbs great in rocky technical climbs (rolls easier over rocks)
2. Is fast on rocky technical dowhills, not as plush as my 26 fully suspended but still very fast.
3. It is easier to keep the momentum on flats and gradual climbs if compared to my 26" bike.
4. The ride is not at harsh as a 26" hardtail, the 29er feels more like if I was riding 26" soft tail.