My 2 cents... I had a tricked out Trek Y carbon fiber jobby - nice on the downhills, bad on the uphills. Now I've got a DeKerf softtail - alot like a Moots YBB. I'd say if you do any recreational XC racing stay with the Hard Tail. If on the other hand you're a downhill adrenaline junky, give that funky Canondale ride a try.

-Matt