It also depends alot on what your trails and riding style are. I tend to pick smoother lines, even on my FS bike. I like my FS bike.. but it just flat wears me out riding it versus the hardtail on most of the trails. It's awesome to descend on.. but I hate to climb on it. I have a sprinting style and that bike doesn't accomodate that well. I'm much more comfortable in the rough stuff, but on the climbs or sprints it just feels like a real dog to me. I find myself riding the hardtail 90% of the time. But for urban assault/downhill I'd deffinitely choose the FS bike.