For me I wanted one bike to do everything I liked to do. One day I looked in my basement, and there sat 5 bikes. All in various states of disrepair. While all my bikes did what they were designed for great, I needed space and simplification. So I picked a bike that could do many things well, but nothing really great. So I compromised with gearing, and parts. I like how fast the 29er feels. Once I get it going. For me it's the perfect compromise between the road, and mountain bike.