Trek X-Caliber 8/9

So both bikes are currently on sale, and I was deciding on them as my first bike. Im deciding on just wanting chill bike trails, metro parks, pavements, and some dirt/gravel but not aggresive downhills or jumps.

Is there any other bikes which is better and comparable to these price points? Less than $1,500 is my budget. Both these bikes have great specs but have rear QR axles. Is quick release reallly that bad that I should look at another bike? Or should I just get a Roscoe7 and use that for xc type of riding?

Thank you all! 🤙🏼 (cross posted)

by kebslcn