Kona Lanai or Fireside

Title: Help Me Choose: Kona Lanai or Kona Fire Mountain for a Beginner in Phoenix?

Hey fellow mountain bikers! I'm a beginner looking to dive into the world of mountain biking, and I've got the opportunity to purchase my first bike. I've narrowed it down to two options available at my local shop, the Kona Lanai and the Kona Fire Mountain, but I'm having trouble deciding which one would be better for me.

Here's a bit about my situation: I live in Phoenix, and my initial plan is to explore some easy trails to get started. While I'd prefer not to raise my budget, I'm open to upgrading components as I go along, either as they wear out or as I outgrow them.

Now, I'd like to get your opinions on which of these bikes might be a better fit for a beginner like me. Here are the specs for both bikes:

Kona Lanai (2022):

• Frame Material: Kona 6061 Aluminum Butted
• Fork: Suntour XCT30 DS Coil Spring 100mm
• Drivetrain: Shimano Altus 2x8
• Brakes: Tektro M280

Kona Fire Mountain:

• Frame Material: Kona 6061 Aluminum Butted
• Fork: Suntour XCR 32 LO-R or RST Omega Coil Spring 100mm
• Drivetrain: Microshift Advent 1x9
• Brakes: Tektro HDM275

I would greatly appreciate your insights, especially if you've had experience with either of these bikes or if you have any knowledge about how they might perform on the trails in the Phoenix area. Thanks in advance for your help!