in the market still for my next bike, and I think there was another thread out there where I had posted my experiences. Things sure have came a long ways, though at the same time some thing haven't.
I love a rowdy hardtail, but after doing a bunch research.. I feel that a number of the new 27.5+ bikes are actually just a boost spacing of traditional 29er frame. Example of this is a Trek Roscoe, or the older Rocky Growler... which essentially are not much difference than say an old Gary Fisher G2 29er in geometry other than a shorter stem, wider bars, 40mm more travel and 141/148 axel. Even the Honzo that started this remains relatively unchanged and is now pretty much an XC bike
When comparing HTA, STA, chain stay, BB height, and actual "reach" from a 29er w/ 80/100mm fork to a new 27.5 with a 120/140mm fork- you realize that often the HTA and STA are slackened by the longer travel shock.
However the new new rowdy super long hardtail such as the new 2020 Growler, Chromag rootdown, mantis etc.. are awesome as they are actually redesigning frames to have similar reach to modern full squish, maybe even more slack HTA (because it decreases with sag/compression) and ridiculously steep Seat tube angles (>74) while retaining a super short chain stay.
I also wouldn't mind a full squish, but after riding my friends newish Bronson, I just can't see using all that suspension for my type of riding as I prefer flow than gnar and bike park. If I go down that path its definitely a new Tallboy, Fuel or Element.
Downcountry or a truly gnarly HT on a 29.6 tire