I rode tonight at sunset. The conditions were perfect. It was nice hard pack with the trail swept of all tire marks. There was a bit of runoff gullies and the heavy clay trails rode spongy as they do after they get wet and get dry cracked. We don't get to ride these clean trails too often. No dust, firm trails, no tracks except mine. Happy empty sunset trails BTW I rode the 26 as the 9er pedals are still in my suitcase. The 26 climbed smooth steep chutes better than the 9er but climbed technical steep chutes worse.