bjh0003 I actually dont agree.. its all rider skill!! I have riddern my hardtail which the frame cost me £170 brand new on many a dh course. There is nothing more satisfying when you blast past someone or jump bigger than someone on a £6000 DH rig. If you can ride a bike and go big you can do it on any bike within reason. "wangamachang" It also always makes me laugh when people put a video of someone who can clearly ride a bike well riding a 29er. This guy will be able to go just as fast on a 26" as he does on a 29er as he has all the right skills he needs. I was racing a DH race a couple of years ago and a guy came 2nd out of 65 riders and he raced on his hardtail.....its all in the rider not the bike unless you racing at high level....29er is just another fad and another way for bike companies to get cash out of you.