Originally Posted by bmthom.gis

@wolfchild - 27.5 is the new wheel size the bike industry is pushing for MTBs. Tires, tubes, wheels are literally almost everywhere. I'm fairly certain Giant has more of that size than 29ers in their line up now. The only problem is right now you are still going to be paying a premium - though prices are getting better. Which is good, bc it should make prices drop for 29er stuff.

OP: Those are both decent bikes if you want to get off of the streets and play in the dirt, but for what you said you are planning on using them for, I would go with something else. As they are, looking at the prices, they are both going to have very low end specs - not really great for any rough trail riding (those Suntour front shocks feel like aluminum foil - I know because that is what my 29er has). If you really are just going to stick to the streets, I would look for something without the shocks, like the cannondale quick 6 or trek, or something in the hybrid range that allows some wider tires.