I ride mostly single/xc , bike eats up the roots and handles downhill like nobody's business. Uphills require legwork, but that is to be expected. Pretty light, not as agile as my old 26er but the more I ride it, the more comfortable I get. My buddy I ride with has a Specialized FSR, quite a good bike, and can't keep up on downhills or across root filled areas.not bad for a bike that cost about 1/6 of his!

Great for the road and the trails. 29 inch wheels definitely help with overcoming the large roots and stones along the trail. The handles have a good grip, but I would still recommend purchasing gloves. Disk brakes seem like a must have, especially in wet conditions. The adjustable fork allows you to play with the amount of resistance, although it cannot be completely turned off for the road ride. The seat is a bit uncomfortable, but this seems to be a common theme with the mountain bike, since you are not supposed to seat all the time. Make sure you tighten the pedals well, using a different ranch from what is included in the package. Pedals will start making a clicking noise after a good ride, unless they are tightened well. Also, before you decide to purchase some random pump look at the valve on your wheels, because some pumps do not work good with this type of valve. Overall, I think it is an amazing bike for someone who just started mountain biking. I can't judge from the perspective of a veteran rider, but as a beginner, I can tell you that you will not be disappointed :)

At the price point, no real complaints about this, my first 29'er. For an older rider like myself, getting back on a bike at age 40+, this bike has a much more stable feel. I feel more "in" the bike than "on" it. For that, it inspires more confidence. At first, the weight is deceiving- it feels light, but does not perform light. That can be good or bad depending on your preference. I did not feel like I was going to wear it out fast, but bunny-hopping obstacles is not so easily accomplished.

In time, the bike grew on me and I liked it more and more as I rode. I started with easy stuff and worked up to some Phoenix area mountain trails. I might get out-climbed by a 26, but coming down and rolling over rocks is a breeze! Definitely less jarring than my 26'ers (except for the FS). I do feel like moving up, but I would be hard-pressed to let go of this ample machine. The only real reason to upgrade would be to get the better components for me.