For my other half?

She’s a competent novice mtber and has been riding bikes a long time but is increasingly enthusiastic about riding off-road..

Happy enough on her bso on the Quantocks but much happier riding my rigid soul of late, she’s looking to spend her bike to work voucher..

The ruze is £600 off atm so looks like great value and lotsa confidence building fun but the kona will undoubtedly be lighter and looks like a better spec..
I want my soul back!

Is there anything else worth looking at?

What say you hive mind?

Go normal width tyre if she/he needs motivation to keep riding. + size is fun but over 20 miles plus you’ll use less energy keeping the wheels turning on a non plus wheel even ignoring the drag factor the lighter weight will be a bonus

Go with the one she fits best and prefers, not the bestest deal.
Get down to the LBS’s and try some out.

Yeah… fair point Matthew