I had the Jet9RDO set up with a 100m Reba and went to the the Rip9RDO with a 140mm Pike. As far as I can tell the climbing is about 90-95 percent as good for my longer super steep climbs that average about 20% and max at 32% (according to my Garmin). With technical climbs equal or better on the Rip due to the position of the seat and the shorter chain stays. For the most part the two bikes are a wash when climbing (according to my Garmin times on equal sections). The alloy version shares the same length chain stays as the Jet9RDO and 1 degree slacker seat angle so I bet it climbs some stuff like the Jet and some like Rip9RDO. Both of which climb about as good as any bike I have ever ridden.
The pike is so damn nice that it makes it a no brainer for me, and I would highly recommend it to you. This Rip, the alloy is similar to the RDO, deserves a 140mm fork. I don't know about you, but I suffer the climbs to enjoy the downs and a 140mm fork makes the downs so so so much more fun.
As for the wheels, maybe wait on them until you can swing some LB or Derby carbon rims and rebuild on your hubs. This offers a relatively cheap way into, what I feel is an absolute necessity on 29ers: carbon wheels. The stiffness of a beefy 26" AM wheel with the lightness of a XC wheel makes these bigger bikes sing like they never could before.
Any direction you end up going, the bike is going to rock! Enjoy!