If you can afford to go tubeless, do it. I too am on the small side, I ride a 29er and it made a huge difference for me once I went tubeless.

I am riding a hard tail, but I am thinking abut getting a full suspension. I started on a full sus 26er and then moved to the HT 29er. I miss the suspension. The trail here are rough and I am feeling a bit beat up from the HT.