Week 3 on the Transition Patrol. This is the closest I've ever been to "one bike". It is as good as the reviewers have been saying.
Super stable on the climbs, with no bob and great power transfer. I never use the "climb" or "max compression" modes on the Fox 34/RS Monarch plus. Leave them both in trail/medium mode for much of the riding.
Long(er), Low(er), and slack does seem to work. When you point it down, it's super confident and stable. Feels almost like a mini-DH bike. Compared to a VPP stable bike, the bike sits a bit taller in it's stroke and is stiffer throughout it's range of travel, but that makes it poppy, fast, and aggressive feeling.
I'm really pleased. Probably more than any bike I've bought in the past 6 or 7 years. I think it's a keeper.
That said, I still have a DH bike for park days, as the boy is riding more and more park and I tend to join him when I can. And DH bikes are fun. Even with 26" wheels.