Mountain Biking - Setup suggestions? (Hardrock Comp)

Alrighty. Bought a Spec HR Comp a few weeks ago. First MTB with front squish. First new bike in 15 years (coming from x-mart deathtrap)

My biggest concern is how I should be setting the preloads on the Marz MZ3 fork. I'm 140 lbs. 5' 9". I have them both at about the middle (?) setting. It seems to handle fine, I'm wondering if it's optimal, though.

Also wondering what benefit a Thomson seatpost would give me besides reduced weight, and what kinds of stems are recommended?

Any other worthwhile upgrades? I'm going to X.7's when the SX4's die. Probably going to BB7 when the Hayes HMX-2's die. (First disc setup, really quite impressed.)

Boiled down, what on this bike is total crap and should be upgraded ASAP? And what to upgrade to?

Thanks for your time.

Looking at the specs, I'd say just ride it until something breaks, then replace.

i have the same thing, but with disc, and so far the only upgrades are a computer, lights, lube, bottle holder, thats about it, i wiegh 130 and i just leave my fork at the setting i got it at, so i have no clue what to set mine at either really, i should bust out the manual again i guess, oh and it depends alot on how u ride it, everything on the bike is pretty good though

oh whoops, i thought u meant u got the bike without discs, sorry, i take that first part of my last post back(i have the same thing, but with disc) part