I'm a big guy and love my 2009 xc204. I immediately replaced the Dart 3 forks with Marzocchi 44 TS2 air forks and the Bar 1.1 with a Fox RP23. I wanted a 29er but didn't to spend the $$$ to get a 29er full suspension and I got a deal on the xc204. I was prone to pinch flats when I rode a hard tail. I decided to give the Geax Sturdys a try. I was worried if the 2.25s would fit the xc but, I thought what the hell. I pumped them up to 50 psi for the photos.
Here is a pic of the bike:
Here is pic of the Sturdy 2.2.5 v.s. the Velociraptor 2.1 :
Here is the clearance on the Marzocchi front forks:
Here is the clearance on the back swing arm. The paint scrapes are from me riding the Sturdys on 15 miles of gravel on the Hiawatha Trail and peeling rocks off the new knobbies:
I have more clearance when I run at 30 psi. The bike feels like a monster truck going over obstacles.
Here is a pic of the bike:

Here is pic of the Sturdy 2.2.5 v.s. the Velociraptor 2.1 :

Here is the clearance on the Marzocchi front forks:

Here is the clearance on the back swing arm. The paint scrapes are from me riding the Sturdys on 15 miles of gravel on the Hiawatha Trail and peeling rocks off the new knobbies:

I have more clearance when I run at 30 psi. The bike feels like a monster truck going over obstacles.