I got a Stumpjumper hardtail 29er this year and am extremely happy with it. I am not the worlds most technical rider but as I was riding around some of the close-in tree areas in Scott County this weekend I was thinking a 26" would be better on tight single track where you're turning in and out of trees, but overall I love the 29er. Hard to explain exactly why - I don't think I am any faster on it - just rolls over stuff better with the bigger wheels, which I suppose is the idea! I still have my old 26" bike, but it hasn't seen much action this year.