I have a 10 mile loop that I run 3 to 4 times a week. It has a lot of variety including multiple switchback sections and about 1300 feet of climbing. I can clear that in an hour six on my 29er, a SB130 FS heavy tank. Granted I have to thread the rocks and swing a little wider on the 29er in switchback sections. My old 26" hardtail is a legit XC race setup... scandium, XTR, sub 20#, blah blah blah. It's always 5 to 10 minutes slower than the Yeti. I've all but given up on the 26".