Hardtail Wars...

El Comandante vs Rig vs 737 EBB vs TRAIL 37

I rode Little Granite trail three times in rapid succession comparing the above noted frames. All were set up pretty similarly. I needed to settle the chainstay length and front end flex issue definitively (in my mind) Does it matter or not?

Tr. 37 starts with a near maximum power climb for about a mile. My HR is pegged throughout this climb even with measly 32X22 gearing. Then a 1/2 mile descent, and 1/4 mile steep climb. Turn around at top and enjoy the ride back down. On a good day I can do the loop in about 35 minutes. I have never cleaned it on SS. Usually due to simple exhaustion forcing me to stop and fall off the bike for a while.

To make the climb even more interesting, there are 65 water bars interspersed in this short trail. Each requiring a lift of the front and subsequently the back. On the descent, I will usually bunny hop them. No big deal one or two times, but 65 times?
...while totally tapped from a maximum effort climb?
...or while descending at warp speed?
...at an average of a water bar every 6 seconds on the descent, but usually in series with less than a second between them at high speed?

Don't tell me it doesn't matter how easy or not it is to get that front wheel up. On this trail it does.

Conditions are a mix of mud and snow right now. Traction is essentially unlimited on the 80-90% of the trail that is ridable. Tires don't matter much. All bikes ridden rigid with Zion brand forks.

Ventana El Comandante (cs=17.9): Climbed well. Took more effort to get over some water bars, but essentially did the job. Downhill, it was clunky and awkward to keep speed over the water bars. Many times just had to whoa way down. Sorta killed my flow. Rides stiff, in between the Rig and 737

Zion 737 EBB (SC=17.4"): Feels like it has an inch of suspension on each end. So smooth. Climbed just as well, less effort to ge the front up. Clearly out descended the Ventana on the trail. Remember that speeds are slow, and tech/body english moves are required to get over stuff. I was not as bothered by the flex as I have been in the past, probably because there are no high speed sweepers (where the Ventana excels) on this trail.

Rig (CS=17") Very stiff, punishingly so. Again, no problem climbing. Easiest to lift the front clearly. Descends like a rocket. Easiest to lift and bunny hop, but punishing when it hit the rocks.

What did I learn?
1. The Zion is a really great riding bike, even more so as you consider its price. It does not play well with suspension forks.
2. I preferred the Rig to the Ventana. The Rig also gives me the front end stiffness I desire for high speed sweeping type corners without forcing me to work so hard to get the front end up. It is probably best utilized with a suspension fork. That being said, Fishers have such a bad reputation for breaking, I wonder how long it will last.
3. With the two cheaper frames, the Ventana (gorgeous though it is) is superfluous. It is on the chopping block. Kills me, but I don't feel the love any more.

As it turns out, the geometry of the Rig is nearly exactly the geometry recommended to me by a custom builder. If it continues to keep me happy for 6 months or so, I just might plunk down for that custom steel frame.