I'm 5'5", and I just bought my first mountain bike after moving to the Keweenaw, which has amazing trails. I went to visit the local bike shops assuming I'd get a 29er hardtail (full suspension was financially impossible this summer).But after test-riding a lot of 29ers and one 26" Kona, the 26" bike felt a lot more nimble and controllable to me. As I get more experience, this may change, but for now, I'm happy with my new 26". (I also paddle a very agile, responsive, nimble kayak, so perhaps this is a theme for me.)