BikingViking793 

Well I didn't upgrade quite as much as I thought I would, but I definitely got a much more modern bike. I picked up a lightly used 2021 Giant Talon 2 for what I think was a real good price. I haven't hit the trails yet, but just riding around in the road and stuff it feels like a completely different type of bike than my 2010 Raleigh Talus 3.0. Of course the bars are really wide, and the stem is short. The 27.5 tires seem huge compared to the old 26" I am used to riding. Here are some of the highlights:
1x9 Microshift Advent with clutch, think I have the trigger pro shifter which will take time to get used to.
Hydraulic Disc brakes
27.5" rims
WTB Vigilante 2.3 tire in front and Maxxis Ardent tire in the back. Sound like it's a good combo?

There were a few more things I might have liked on a bike, but I think it's a great upgrade over my old bike. I've raised the seat a bit since the picture. Not sure if I'll get a dropper, but looks like a clean install if I do.

freeranger

Have fun with the new bike! No experience with the tires, but a few rides and you'll know if they suit where you're riding.

BikingViking793 

will do!

think I can buy a kit and convert to tubeless if I choose to.

androxylo

Hi, I'm very curious how much Talon 1 or 2 weights and is it lighter than Marlin or Rockhopper?

tungsten

Omg take those reflectors off the spokes....CushCore in rear tyre.

veganbikes

Don't be too specific there. If similar spec probably not lighter. If the Rockhopper or other bike is a higher end spec then this bike will probably be heavier. On a bike in this price point they use lower end parts which tend to be heavier. The Talon1 would be a better bike not by much but Deore 10 speed is reliable and RS Judy forks are a fine entry level option. However if you are weight conscious spend more money and get something with an air fork and potentially other nicer parts. The more budget world is not the place to look for weight savings.

However Microshift Advent isn't bad and I applaud them for bringing it to market. It is a lower cost decent quality groupset that is designed for modern sensibilities. If I was on a budget I would happily rock AdventX and probably do just fine on it. Some of my co-workers love to rag on it but in the end it is actually decently thought out.

Now me personally I like my Deore XT it has proven itself reliable and pretty bombproof over the years. I have some 90s era XT that is still going today and works like a dream. Yeah maybe not the cheap stuff but a derailleur that is 26 years old and still kicking and shifting flawlessly isn't so bad. At say the average price for a modern XT 11 speed over 26 years that is about $4 a year for a derailleur not super expensive except maybe initially but that cost is long gone. I wouldn't go XTR but SLX or Deore LX if you are old school or XT of course is always a good option and generally the bike it comes on will likely have some other decent parts on it and if nothing else that derailleur will likely go for a long time. I see a lot of my M737s out there still going strong, heck even one from an e-bike, the guy actually bought a second one just in case but still never blew it up and as far as I know is still on that same first derailleur. Honestly I wish that Shimano would just re-make the M737 and keep it in the line up with zero changes (except maybe aesthetics for some people and maybe the ability to run 10 or 11 speed but they run 9 just fine). I bought a second one like that guy just to have but I don't imagine needing to replace anything it might just go on a different bike.