I started out on rigid and i’ve never been totally convinced by adding tech to my bike – seems that you add ability, add expense, add maintenance needs, add down-time – but don’t always add fun.
I’m happy on 2.2 / 2.4 rubber queens up front, on a rigid cr-mo fork and a ti frame. 26″. I like it enough to have stuck with it for 80% of my MTB riding and spent more on a new rigid bike fairly recently than any other bike i’v eever owned – because when there’s nothing to service or get outdated, it’s better long term VFM.
Rigid makes normal XC fun again. It made me stop looking for tech to ride my susser on – i had micro-tech on my doorstep if i rode rigid on rooty but basically mellow xc trails. fun, involving and challenging where before it was ‘i miss the alps’ all the time.
Try it – it’s not for everyone on every trail, but if you start to like it you’ll be glad you gave it a go.