Seems like the world of Mountain Bikes is finally beyond me.

You cannot always change the world around you, but you can always change your response to it.

Yes they were transparent

thanks for the insight

Compatibility between all my bikes, well road and MTB, is great, and can be cheaper, although i do it for ease of part swapping in emergencies. Compatibility within the same bike should be taken for granted!

Do you do the same with all the cars in your household too?

Compatibility within the same bike should be taken for granted!

I remember one/some of those proper adventure fat bikes (like alaska bikepacking type stuff) the front fork was made with the same axle spacing as the rear, so you had a second, spare rear hub with a single speed cog on it; in case your freehub or derailluer broke.

I'm just happy my front and rear brakes take the same pad size.