thank you for the help and apologies for not specifying...(and also only discovered the difference in XC and trail! https://ninerbikes.com/blogs/niner-blog/do-you-ride-cross-country-or-trail-understanding-different-types-of-mountain-bike-riding) as a beginner its unlikely i'll be heading down steep rock faces or...

Also - theyre both capable of taking a drop post if i ever have the need for one... or is it worth looking into the model next up with it already in...

Hi All - i'm relatively new to mountain biking. I spent 6 weeks in NZ last year and tried a few places on rented bikes and absolutely loved it! Now time to invest...