Some good info in this thread, I've been lurking for awhile. I too have been waffling back and forth on buying a long travel 29er for awhile now. I had a Gary Fisher Rig SS hardtail about 6 years ago, and loved the feel of the big wheels, until I moved to Vancouver and rode it down Pipeline once. I've been on 26" bikes since then, but have been waiting for the fs 29 to evolve to the point where it could be my do-it-all bike.
When Specialized released the Enduro 29er a couple of weeks back I got on the phone to my LBS to place my order for an XL Comp! I thought…at last! The bike I've been waiting for! Alas, I was recently informed that all the Enduro 29ers have been pre-ordered, and there are none available in Canada this year. The shop didn't even get a heads up that they were available. Not sure if that means Specialized underestimated the demand, or they just did a small run to test the waters. At any rate, after reading some comments here about the short chain stays and rearward weight bias, I'm not so sure. I have a 95cm inseam, so when my saddle is extended for climbing I'm pretty far off the back as it is.
I have owned a 2010 Enduro 26, and really liked the bike, but in an XL it just looked goofy. Tiny wheels with this huge X-wing frame. I now ride an XL Pitch that I built up from a frame, with a Pushed RP2 and Float 36. I think its a very underestimated bike, and does most of what the Enduro could do, but is a little longer and lower. In looking at the geometry, its pretty similar to the newer Stumpy Evo. I find that Specialized bikes just fit my 6'4" frame well, and my 1st choice for a 29er (prior to the Enduro fiasco) was a Stumpy Evo 29er. Its good to hear someone else say that they find the Transiton frames a little short in the reach, as I've always felt that as well. I'm interested in the Tallboy LT though…although I always thought they were a bit short as well.
Keep the posts and reviews coming! It's not easy to find all these bikes to actually test ride, so hearing reports from others (especially riders my height) is great.