yeah fair enough - I'm a keen hiker / trekker also when I have the time. Keeping hikers and MTB Riders apart is a good idea imho. One of the places I ride the mtb around here has "shared trails" with hikers and riders using wide trails.....you can feel the tension and dagger eyes from some of the hikers when I ride past.
I can understand their point of view, but it cuts both ways.....the amount of times I've been maxed out going uphill on narrow trails and have encountered walkers and runners coming downhill who refuse to give way is incredibly annoying....all they need to do is step to one side for like 0.5 of a second!
Anyways, i digress and waaaay off topic here.
The leap to larger wheels, fat tires and super wide bars does make it look a bit ridiculous (think monster truck)....no need for that on inner city bike paths at all!!
You won't find a new 26" wheel mtb on the shop floor these days....its all 27.5 & 29er for the masses.....having said that, there are a ton of great deals going on 2nd hand sites with those dumping all their 26" stock......if you're after a bargain!! You won't be in vogue though
I'm on 27.5 which is fine for me....demo'd a 29er a while back and felt all wrong.
Back on topic.....Disc Brakes (Hydro) rule on MTB's.....probably not necessary on road racing bikes where caliper brakes have been doing a pretty damn good job for.........?? Plenty eh