The 29er front wheel with 2.3" WTB tire makes front suspension almost unnecessary. The 26" rear wheel is quicker to accelerate than a 29er rear wheel. Also I am 225 lbs and 6'-4" so the 26" rear wheel is much stronger than an equivalent 29" wheel - which I need. I love it, though I come from cyclocross rather than hardcore MTB, but this does the job on singletrack where my cyclocross with 45" knobbies has trouble.