To the OP - you said this MTB will be for your kid, who is currently 12. Do you know for sure that he will take good care of the bike, if you spring for a $2K-ish full suspension?

From my...

"it will be ridden to school (not worried about frame theft as much as damage, but still don't want super high value kit hanging on the thing)"

Bikes I'd suggest for riding to school and locking...