Just got back from a ride with another friend who has a brand new FS Enduro 29r. It was fun.
With the two speed in low gear I can go up the steep stuff just as well as him, for the most part, so long access approaches are ok. Down hill I was slower because I was rigid, non disc and SS (and he is better at it than me - but I blame the bike!).
Did the brake swap. Feeding the stiffer compressionless housing through my frame was a royal pita that had me swearing a blue streak but now she stops purdy good