We were having this very discussion just a month or so ago when I was in Spain for a weeks biking.
Mate and I hired these for the week, 6days riding, 4/5hrs/day;
The discussion centered around how much fun we were having on a relatively cheap hardtail with disc brakes and fork with no adjustment at all.
We usually ride, mate;Cove Handjob, Kona Dawg, Orange 224.
Me Kona Dawg Primo and Bontrager with 85mm Marz(deceased :cry:!!)
We ride Stanes/Lakes/Howgills and various other unknown places.
There is no right/wrong bike for a Stanes trail. My workmates started out on some very, very old “bikes” made by Raliegh, Giant and Peugeot, all rigid hardtails with canti brakes.
A bike is a bike just ride whatever takes your fancy on the day.
I am having the dilemma of whether to replace the Bonty with a new steel ht or send her for a repair estimate.
Current thoughts are along the lines of Genesis or P7. Just need work to settle down before I commit tho 🙁
If you could take both and I could join you can I have a go on the Pace pls 😉