[Closed] Pace 325.5 review

Due to limited availability and several technical and personal reasons, I've been waiting on this moment for quite a while now, but I finally managed to get out on my new pace 325.5 yesterday for a 2.5hr ride around the local trails (Pitfichie/Millstone in Aberdeenshire). I'm not used to writing bike reviews, but having been mountain biking for 21 years now I think I know what a bike should feel like and the complete lack of reviews on this bike has spurred this attempt.
First impressions are positive (my money does not appear to have been wasted here) and I would agree with the literature describing this bike as being an good all-rounder. The frame in general is light and with the exception of a couple of annoyances (the front mech cable contacts the down tube in the middle at its most flared out/fattest section, rear tyre clearance with a 2.25 Nobby Nic and the slide-outs fully forward can be measured in mm) is well finished with nice clean welding (with the exception of those attaching the ISG tab thingies to the bottom bracket shell, which look like they were finished in a rush, although these are redundant as far as my setup is concerned).
I sold a Stumpjumper Expert Carbon HT to partially fund this bike so I am used to a light weight stiff ride. I wanted something more robust though (I broke the stumpy’s chainstay clean through after a year – I’m just over 70kgs before you ask) and possibly ‘fun’, with more front end travel for long days out in the hills. Built up with some really nice stuff, DT wheels and fork (XMC130s), Raceface/XTR/XT drivetrain, it feels plenty light enough, especially in the rear-end, helped a little no doubt by the stiff as a board carbon railed Fizik Tundra (I’ll publish the weight when I’m able to measure it) – not sure whether that buy was quite as sensible....
A week off the bike (family holiday) and a slowly increasing waste line is not a good prelude to trying out a new bike, but with the forks locked down, the bike seemed responsive (despite the rubbing rear disc), yet surprisingly compliant (perhaps due to the 2.25” rubber) on the 9-mile road ride out to Pitfichie. With the disc adjusted, the bike suddenly came alive and the rough stuff is where I really noticed I was riding a new bike. Going up, I cleaned technical sections that I’ve never managed before (and I haven’t been offroad for a while). Having ridden a Charge Duster and a Cove Stiffee at 10-under recently, I was a little concerned over the ability of longer travel forks to stay in contct with the ground on steep climbs (without having to sit on the bars). With the DTXMC’s locked down, I could grind up anything that anyone would care to ride up on a bike, whilst tracking nicely all the way - perfect. The main benefits of the Pace over the Stiffee are that it’s lighter with a slightly more compliant rear.
Following day:
I woke up this morning with a rather irritated lateral hamstring insertion just proximal to the head of my fibula (a result of being slightly over enthusiastic on the climbs last night no doubt). Another 2hr ride tonight (easy on the climbs...) over Bennachie brought out more of the bike and me...Negatives first – I had to change the rear tyre for a 2.1” Conti Speed King, as the Nobby Nic had been rubbing on the drive side chainstay, removing some paint. Not sure whether the wheel or the frame is slightly off, but the 2.1 fits fine, with a little more tyre clearance (just hope I don’t get a buckle...). The wheel was soundly located in the dropouts, with a 9mm solid axle these feel very firm/secure. Descending from Oxen Craig and the Maidens Causeway to the Rowantree car park was a new experience! Firstly I slipped out of the new Look pedals twice on some serious off-camber weight shifts. These pedals are very light but seem a little too easy to release from on technical sections for my liking and with no tension adjustment...The bike on the other had was a revelation and so confidence inspiring. I was never able to bunny hop properly before (rather embarrassing I know), but riding too fast towards a drainage ditch is a great way to learn, although maybe not recommended. It was probably a combination of the higher front end, slight rising/wider bars and the fact the bike (rear end in particular) seems to want to leave the ground at any opportunity, but the Pace is a bike that could get me into trouble very quickly. I’ve got the bike I wanted, I just need to work on the skill level now to go with it.