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Ta, I knew coming here first was a good bet. Longer and slacker is the aim of the game, right? (I don't know a great deal about XC geometry).
Should add, I had a crash on a road ride at the weekend and am recovering from a light concussion so this is all helpful in stopping me from making a terrible impulse decision hahaa.
returnofthestaff-
Ouchy. Get well soon. My concussion in 2020 was a proper bitch. Look out for signs of depression, mood swings etc as well and realise that concussion can have a part to play in those.
Re bike, it sort of depends on the trails you're looking to ride. Here it's steep and switchbacks.
The main thing that changed stuff for me was the dropper. and also more tyre clearance. Both make a bike vastly more capable I feel. 2.4 is normal xc these days.
Also good about modern geo is the seat tube angle. You get more traction on seated steep climbs with it.
By the time you do anything with the 'dale you probably spent as much as a new entry level hard tail like the Marin Team Marin or similar.
pascalo
If I was you I'd look for something with a more modern geometry and routing for a dropper.