29" wheels are your friend

29ers are the little spice in your bike quiver that makes riding the techy XC stuff so very nice! Forget what you've heard about 29ers being sluggish and as tall as a penny-farthing. These 29ers are different.

The Ultimate

From super short chainstays (16.5") and a little shorter toptube to a lower bottom bracket and a curved seat tube, you're bound to feel like you're on a little play bike, not the roll-over-anything-especially-those-stupid-wheel-jamming-rocks-that-you-swear-at-every-time-you-ride-that-section-of-trail monster truck that it really is.
 
Pair all those things with a twin yoke setup to gain tire and chainring clearance, and you have one sweet sweet ride.