i returned to rigid this year as well but my decision wasnt based on the rigid vs. suspension debate. I wanted to try riding big wheels (29er) and found the redline monocog 29 frame/fork real cheap. Getting reacquainted with riding rigid has been interesting.

Picking good lines becomes paramount, and depending on what you typically ride for terrain the punishment isnt quite as bad as some people make it out to be. i ride fairly technical New England rocks and roots primarily.

the bigger wheels help a lot and I also went with carbon bars to try and absorb some chatter and nice big cushy Oury grips and some roadie gloves with plush padding on the palms. I have been racing that bike this year on courses around 20 miles or so and havent crashed or experienced much more fatigue due to the rigid fork. then again im only 25 and can still take some punishment and recover so my opinion might be bias a bit, i might be paying for this in a few years...