Hi all - I'm looking to get a new bike and would really welcome any recommendations on the best bike for mountain bike orienteering. There seem to be so many options with mountain bikes:
Hardtail or full-suspension?
26", 27.5" or 29" ?
Anything else to look out for?

Welcome any comments.

Have restarted doing events over the past 10 months. Must admit to preferring a hardtail as to my mind it gives me better climbing ability. Full suspension might make me quicker on downhills but one tends to spend more time climbing. Have invested in a 29" and find it rolls more easily than my several 26" bikes (used to be a bike shop owner) - both on road sections and over rougher ground though initially the handling took a little time to get familiar with. Have spent time and effort converting to tubeless and found that beneficial. riding a Scott Scale 950 - well equipped and reasonably light.Hope this helps.

Agree with John. Keeping the weight down is definitely an advantage. MBO Score events often have a fair bit of road so a heavy full-sus is a handicap. Personally ride a 29" Carbon Hardtail which I find ideal. All depends on how much you are prepared to spend.

Thanks - very helpful.

Lightweight carbon 29" hardtail with tubeless wheels are the best setup for most events. However I do find that I lose time to the full-sussers on the technical descents. So if there are lots of technical descents in an event, full sussers have an advantage.