Ahhh another one who "swings both ways". Well since I don't know our trails all that well I would say that we probably have easy to moderate terrain. Out here in Boston any mountain bike ride would probably be found either in Wompatuck state park or the Fells State reservation and maybe Blue Hills. Most of this stuff I would guess is not all that amazingly technical so I am inclined to go hardtail.

Oh and c-mack, on the note of Felt and your sig: I think my saliva has probably found it's way onto our AR5 display model on quite a few occasions.

Edit: I am considering the Nine Comp. I guess I should ask this aswell though. I am about 160 lbs, I have heard it said 26 inch tires are better for heavier riders, not exactly sure what constitutes a heavier rider in the mountain world. I also dont really know the benefits of 29 vs. 26 other then its alot easier to bum 26 inch tubes of people.