Seems pretty consistent with other bikes at the same price. It's heading into trail bike territory from its former entry-level-XC placement. But it still doesn't have a dropper. Seeing 12 speed on a QR135 frame is pretty strange, makes me wonder if it's a typo. Same with the 100xQR axle on the fork.
Since you seem really happy with mountain biking and want to stick with it, maybe you could consider something nicer that has much better stuff all around and not just marginal improvements. Cartridge hubs, dropper, stouter hardware. You could even consider full suspension though that's a larger step in price.
But upgrading is not a goal in itself, you want to be fixing some problem you think you have. 11-42 has been enough for my riding, do you need the extra step lower? 9 speed chain is (in theory) stronger and (definitely) cheaper than 12 speed, and the big cassettes are heavy. You can use a conversion kit from Stan's and get tubeless, and when your original tires wear out is a good time to get started.
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Genesis 49:16-17
Last edited by Darth Lefty; 05-13-20 at 03:03 PM.