Bike: [2021 Vitus Sentier VRX 29](https://vitusbikes.com/products/vitus-sentier-29-vrx-mountain-bike) \- basically stock since I got it in late 2020. Flat pedals with 510s.
I have had a full suspension bike now for most of 2023 and absolutely love it but my hardtail is gathering dust. I want to make it more XC/biketouring friendly so I can take it out for “healthy” rides rather than “fun” rides which normally involve throwing myself down the stupidest stuff I can find in the local area on my full squish.
In order of cost to benefit, what are the most effective changes I can make to the bike to make it more suited to this type of riding? I keep focusing on tires (currently magic mary/nobby nic) but maybe trimming bars, getting a saddle fit etc would be more beneficial? I also considered changing stem to something slightly longer/risen but again I am not sure what the cost/benefit ratio would be on any of these changes so I wondered if anyone else has done similar?
It would be a mix of tarmac cycle paths, hardpack, fire roads, occasionally mixed use trails in the woodlands with no real gnarly features. There’s an XC club in our town which I might even consider joining if I can consider myself healthy enough.
by skaarlaw