Sounds like a nice bike, the "masses" can afford, if you know what I mean. A decently spec'd out bike, with parts that will work well and last, even when ridden hard and at a reasonable price, <$5k U$. Personally with how good Shimano's 12spd drivetrain is, I'd be down specing a few of the parts to save some $$ and give up the little bit of extra weight, maybe even a complete Deore drivetrain, sans the XT shifter.
I'll be keeping an eye out for your follow up piece to see how you got on with those brakes and tyres, as I'm also curious about them. What brakes are you normally running and what tyres?
Just threw my size L Banshee Phantom V1 with 450mm reach, full XT 10spd with 42 cog extender, Hope Pro4 hubs laced to WTB Asym i29 F/ST i25 R, Maxxis 29x2.3" DHF/Aggressor tubeless, 150mm Reverb, WTB PURE Chromo saddle, FUNN Fatboy 780 bar, RF Atlas 70mm stem, Oury single sided lock on grips, X-Fusion TRACE fork, Fox Float shock, NukeProof Neutron flat pedals and it weighed in just over 32.5lbs, so bigger frame, maybe less refined tube shaping, bit heavier shock, bit more weight for the 12spd drivetrain and those hubs and that's your 1.5lbs. Still decent for the $$ IMHO. Also, given that a similar spec'd wonder carbon "enduro" bike can easily weigh that with same drivetrain, stepped up suspension, not too bad.
July 30, 2022, 6:38 a.m. - Lynx .
Sounds like a nice bike, the "masses" can afford, if you know what I mean. A decently spec'd out bike, with parts that will work well and last, even when ridden hard and at a reasonable price, <$5k U$. Personally with how good Shimano's 12spd drivetrain is, I'd be down specing a few of the parts to save some $$ and give up the little bit of extra weight, maybe even a complete Deore drivetrain, sans the XT shifter. I'll be keeping an eye out for your follow up piece to see how you got on with those brakes and tyres, as I'm also curious about them. What brakes are you normally running and what tyres? Just threw my size L Banshee Phantom V1 with 450mm reach, full XT 10spd with 42 cog extender, Hope Pro4 hubs laced to WTB Asym i29 F/ST i25 R, Maxxis 29x2.3" DHF/Aggressor tubeless, 150mm Reverb, WTB PURE Chromo saddle, FUNN Fatboy 780 bar, RF Atlas 70mm stem, Oury single sided lock on grips, X-Fusion TRACE fork, Fox Float shock, NukeProof Neutron flat pedals and it weighed in just over 32.5lbs, so bigger frame, maybe less refined tube shaping, bit heavier shock, bit more weight for the 12spd drivetrain and those hubs and that's your 1.5lbs. Still decent for the $$ IMHO. Also, given that a similar spec'd wonder carbon "enduro" bike can easily weigh that with same drivetrain, stepped up suspension, not too bad.