Hi Jonny, I recently got a chance to see one in person and decided not to get one. Decent bike for sure,fit and finish seemed ok although some of the welds look sloppy (not a big deal IMO) but by the time some upgrades are done (brakes, cassette, shifter for 1x8-9) and probably a suspension fork, the cost does not really make sense. If I never rode the steep trails, I would ride it as is but would install disc brakes. Right now I'm leaning towards the Diamondback Overdrive or possible the BD Windsor Cliff for my first entry into 29er. That said, I took a ride on a club member's fully, a GT Marathon..holy crap that thing climbed like a mountain goat and was comfy as heck...humm, leaving 26ers would be difficult, especially in the technical stuff where they excel.