@bikinfool, you went with 650b? That's interesting. I'm 5'9", have been drinking the 29er Kool-aid for years, and bought my first 650b bike this spring. I have all three sizes now. I'm not planning to throw out my 29ers, but I've decided that my next front-suspension hardtail will be 650b. (the one I bought this spring is a Beasley -- single-speed + rigid).