Best hard tail I’ve ridden/owned in 26″ or 29″ variety. For reference I’ve had a Cove Handjob, Genesis iO, Chumba HX2 and have ridden a fair few others.
It’s a light frame so can be built very light with the right parts, mine is 2×10 XT with 100mm Reba RL’s, Thomson kit, Crests on Hopes and with Spesh GC’s weighs just over 23lbs.
It climbs fantastically, descends way better than a 100mm XC bike should be capable of, it handles brilliantly and has converted my naysayer of a neighbour to getting one.
I’m faster on it both up (not surprising) and down/across than on my 130mm FS trail bike. It’s ideally suited to general UK riding if I’m honest, from trail centres, buggering about in woods and Welsh mountains.
Size wise I’d say a large, I’m 5’11” and have a medium set up with 70mm flat stem, one 5mm spacer under it, 736mm flat bars and an inline post but with the saddle moved back off center.