Cari:

I had to make the same decision but ended up going with the 5" travel bike. Now I have t say for most normal terrain I ride a hardtail - just lighter, quicker but if there are any downhills of consequence I take the fully and have to say I love what the 5" gives me over my old fully which was 4", but the bike is alittler heavy and I struggle with climbing. All in all not all that much difference between 4 and 5". If you are racing, go with the xc bike.

Now 5" is not much of a downhill bike. My fork is 100 - 120mm. Downhill bikes go to 300mm!!!! Big difference! My bike is barely "all mountain" and diffinitely not downhill!