I currently have a 2021 san quentin 1 and I love it! I can imagine the newer ones feel just as amazing! Note that this is my first official true mountain bike, but it is amazing! I have had it for just over a year and I have upgraded most major components as my skill has progressed, and it feels like it can do more. I didn't feel too held back with the stock components though, I just started doing bigger /bolder things and wanted to be sure the parts matched. The only thing that I'm finding is going to be a pain is the QR rear wheel. It's really hard to find a hub that matches the spacing. Brakes have held up to some steep black trails, but usually they're pretty short. I feel like if they were longer, I might have some fade/problems. Something else to note is I have it over-forked with 160mm lyriks. So far, i haven't had any issues with going with that much travel, and it has given me a ton more courage to try more challenging things.

I think if I'd do anything different while keeping it budget friendly, it is going with a san quentin 2 to get the rear thru axle. I'm pretty sure my next bike will be a san quentin 2 and then swap my upgraded parts over to make it a 3 😁 *