I sold my hard tail because I had a really hard time staying on top of it. I think it was a little too big for me, it was a 21 inch and I'm 6'. I'd be riding along on that bike and be on the ground, I swear I would crash that thing every time i rode it. Last time i rode it I crashed 3 times in two miles all on easy creek crossings or just easy things. The frame was a leader with a 100mm fork. I think it might have been a really steep head tube or something.

I almost never crash my full suspension, I keep hearing people talk about being in the bike as opposed to on the bike. On my Trek Fuel EX I feel like I'm in the bike, on the Leader I was on it.

THe problem is with these guys I've taken up riding with, they ride kind of slow and very steady with very few brakes. I'm not as fit as they are, but I'm stronger in a short distance. Downhill I have to brake hard to keep from running them over, but I always fall back on the long climbs. To me the Fuel works best when its being hammered and these guys don't hammer except on the climbs.

I don't think the bike factors in to the equation nearly as much as my fitness but I think I'd slot in with them better on a hard tail.

As far as 29rs go I've ridden one only once on a demo and it seemed like it had a noticably easier time getting over stuff. Our trails are covered in crap so getting over stuff is pretty important.

If I build up the bike myself its going to cost more and have some worn parts. If I buy a bike ready to go it's going to be a bit cheaper and new parts. I guess the real question is how much better the Bandersnatch frame is than a GT Peace or Haro Mary.