Having owned mk1 bronsons and really enjoyed them I went for mk2, very noticeable changes more room a sat in it feeling, popped 160mm 36s in it & it’s mega.
I rode a mates Capra CF a good bike it was until it got stolen, a lot of issues with the suspension, a Huge amount of pedal strikes, residual values plummet should you come to sell it.
The MK2 Bronson is a superb bike does pretty much everything well including Antur Stiniog DH with old bloke on it.
I was lucky enough to get my hands on a Hightower in April, if your considering a 29er I can’t the HT enough, the bike is superb, stable very quick yet still agile though you have to push it a bit more in the corners to get the best out of it, overall a very capable bike that puts a massive grin on my face every time I ride it.