Have you ridden one? I was getting super frustrated at Rays, falling off skinnies, fell off a teeter totter like 10 feet in the air. Then I started my buddys redline, and it all came together for me. Not mention it was a blast to peddle around.
Play it smart and keep the Chumba. The "newness" of the 29er will wear off eventually and you'll wish you had a FS gearie again. Even if you'll always like the 29er more, the time will come when you wish you still had the Chumba. There is nothing wrong with owning more than one bike bro!! Keep the Chumba!!!
You are correct... except for one fact unbeknownst to you: I now live smack dab in the middle of a major city and barely have room for two bikes (and ones a roadie).
Yes, Tani (from The Path) loaned me his SS 29er (fully rigid). I am also going to borrow a SIR9 this weekend and try it out. Climbing up hills was twice as easy for me...of course, I can mash in a big gear if I really try.
This thread from mtbr might interest you steph. http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?t=384998 Sorry for the thread jack Choc!
I got to check out Foo Fighter' 29er Zion this weekend and I only maybe rode it a minute or so but the first thing I noticed climbing that once you get going the momentum really takes effect in those big wheels
Here you go man: http://www.socaltrailriders.org/gallery/showgallery.php?cat=1283 fully build just a little over 23lbs (approx 23.16) let me know what you think. -Palek