Mike DeMicco wrote in message .1.4...
Is this all marketing hype, or will 29" wheels actually make you faster?
I'm interested in A-B comparisions over a timed course.

29" bikes are actually slower, especially in tigher single track
situations. They are good for conquering trail obstacles and mud
riding though. I test rode a GF at a mtb festival this spring and was
pretty dissapointed with its performance. It was amazing to me that
GF offered some of his more popular hard tails for 2003 exclusively in
the 29" format.