OK, I was hoping to get someone from Orbea to answer this one because I personally have not ridden a 29er.

I know Melissa Thomas has one and has had a great race in Maui on it. She loves hers. And yes, Orbea does have a wicked carbon 29er of the Alma. Given that the Alma was the bike I won on last year, it seems that if you can handle the big wheels that would be a good combination.

I would not advise a rigid 29er for anyone. Jim did nothing but break his bike trying to ride rigid at Temecula and Alabama. I think he got his suspension fork by Richmond. So hardtail 29er with front suspension good... rigid, not so much.

Again, I have very little experience with the 29er to date and it is not widespread in the racing field right now. That does not mean they are not fast... it just means that some of us racers, myself included, have not spent enough time on a 29er to be sold yet for the season. Hopefully this offseason I will have some time to play on one.

Ciao, m