Well, like I said, I'm in Northern California and won't be doing much, if any, serious downhill. Maybe at some point I might take it to a ski resort in the summer, or go down to Santa Cruz. But even then, I've ridden in SC on my hardtail and done just fine.

I go back and forth between 26 and 29. I haven't ridden a full suspension 26, but the Epic Comp 29er was awesome.

I honestly thing the ASR Carbon would be more up my alley in terms of geometry and intent, but it might be too racey. Has anyone ridden one?