What kind of 10 speed set-up did you go for? How is it running?
I’d say the brakes are surprisingly good. They don’t have the same bite as some of the higher end models but I weigh over 14 stone with backpack and they have no problem stopping me in a hurry. I mentioned before that I rode Avid Elixr 5’s previously, and whilst they had bags of power, I always had problems with rubbing, squealing etc. The basic Shimano’s work silently and consistently, even in the mud – give them a chance and see for yourself.
The tyres are ok, they do roll pretty well and will do a decent job in dry conditions, but they’re not the grippiest when things get wet. I have been running mine through winter and plan to upgrade to something a bit lighter for summer.
I have found that everything on the bike functions pretty well, there is definitely room for upgrades, but it will get you round the trails off the shelf.