I can't compare to full 29er as I have built this as mullet. I didn't change shock eye to eye length, just used 205x65mm shock what gives aprox 157mm travel, front 170mm (to rise bb a bit) Head angle was pretty slack, I think 62,5-63 deg. No problems with steering. As I'm rather short, 170cm, I had no issues with uphill performance and bob (150mm dropper fully inserted). BB height rather low, as I remember aprox 335mm so some pedal strikes that’s why 170mm cranks. After some time I have changed shock to coil EXT and that improved this bike...