unless you're racing or a weight-weenie or doing MAJOR climbs, the Coiler can be ridden for XC and be just plain LOTS of fun...

and since you're thinking about the bike, odds are the few percent slower you are is more than made up by the fun and durability factor!!

i ride a 2004 Coiler for almost everything - in the park, XC trails and all sorts of Freeride (yesterday was an aewsome tour with a total of 5000ft uphil (1 hour riding, 1/2 hour pushing and 1.5 hours carrying the bike over my head on my backpack)... yeah with 37.5lbs with DH tires i'm slow on the road and on climbs, BUT who the heck cares b/c i get to the top and then it ROCKS!!

my XC bike ('02 Specialized FSR Stumpjumper) hardly every gets used any more as i almost *always* find an excuse to ride the Coiler (i basically only ride the Stumpy if i know the trails i will be riding are too easy and then absolutely no challenge on the Coiler)

um... don't know what you like to ride, but if it's technical stuff i don't think you'll be disappointed with the Coiler over a lighter XC bike (if it bothers you when someone passes you uphill then forget it!)