[Closed] How do you taller chaps get the bars high enough?

Why not take a look at the Kona range of 29ers. You said you liked the ride of your current Kona frame.
They do hardtails, single speed as well as race XC fs bikes.[url= http://www.konabikes.co.uk/ ]Kona range[/url]

Can't really afford to be buying a whole new bike at the mo but those Kona Kahunas look interesting.

Is there any super cheap ways of trying a 29er?

Look out for a Kona test day or get down to dealer and ask them. I've always found the Kona dealers very good at getting bikes in. When I wanted to test a Dawg once they just gave me a brand new bike for 3 days - no charge !
My LBS has a 29er for test but that's in Sussex so not much use to you !