Wobbem, I don’t think that’s true re the spesh. It very much depends what you want to do with it. With that SA, chain stay length and rearward weight distribution plus slackish (its actually not very slack) geo it is likely it wont climb great, which is fine if you only want to go down, a criticism labeled at many slack arsed 26 bikes, the likes of which its trying to emulate. IF you want to go down really quickly you dont weant mega short chainstays either. It can contribute to a more ‘fun’ feeling if your idea of fun is lots of manuals and pops. Climbing ability not being a priority was also alluded to in the video. Its always been possible to build what they have done, albeit having to modify front D’s or 1×10/1×11. you just needed to make a banana of a seat tube. They had the clout with Sram to make a new mount plate/derailleur, fair play.
There is more to a bike than chainstay length….