Mountain Bike Upgrades - Specialized Rockhopper

My Specialized Rockhopper was a very basic entry level hardtail mountain bike when I bought it in late 2019. I rode it in stock form for a season, and then began upgrading it. Over the course of the next couple of years, I replaced the stem, handlebar, fork, and pedals and added a dropper seatpost and hydraulic bikes. The bike cost $560 new and I now would put it up against any similarly equipped sub-$1500 hardtail.

Costs

Initial purchase: $560.00, local bike shop
Wake aluminum handlebar, 720mm: $28.94 (2020 price), Amazon.com
KS eTENi Dropper Seatpost - 30.9mm, 100mm, $115.00 US, worldwidecyclery.com
RockBros resin flat pedals: $34.99, Amazon.com
Wake aluminum stem, 45mm: $9.97, Amazon.com
Rockshox Judy Silver TK 100mm travel air fork: $169.00, worldwidecyclery.com
JG Bikes 9 speed conversion kit: $99.00, Amazon.com
IFX crank and bottom bracket: $48.00 Amazon.com
Snail 34 tooth narrow-wide chain ring: already owned, $0.00
Tektro Vela HD-T290V Hydraulic Disc Brake System $89.90, e-Bay.com
Trip to Mathieu's Cycle and Fitness: $40.00

Total: $1,194.80 US

Stock Specifications

FRAME A1 premium butted alloy
SEAT BINDER Alloy, quick release, 34.9
FORK SR Suntour XCT 29, 28mm stanchions, Rx Tune, coil spring, QR, 100mm travel (size-specific), 46mm offset
STEM Stout 3D-forged alloy, 31.8mm, 6-degree rise (stock)
HANDLEBARS Stout Mini Rise, alloy, 9-degree backsweep, 15mm rise, 31.8mm (stock)
GRIPS Specialized Trail Grips, lock-on (stock)
SADDLE Venge, steel rails
SEATPOST Alloy, 12mm offset, 2-bolt clamp, 30.9mm
FRONT BRAKE mechanical disc, 180mm
REAR BRAKE mechanical disc, 160mm
FRONT DERAILLEUR Shimano Altus FD-M315
REAR DERAILLEUR Shimano Tourney RD-TX800, 8-speed
SHIFT/BRAKE LEVERS Tourney TX, 8-speed
CASSETTE SunRace, 8-speed, 11-34t
CRANKSET Stout 3x, forged alloy
CHAINRINGS 22/36/44T
BOTTOM BRACKET Square-tapered, 73mm, internal bearings, 122.5mm spindle
RIMS Specialized alloy, disc only, double-wall, 25mm inner width, 32h
FRONT HUB Formula 6-Bolt, disc, 100x9mm spacing, quick-release, 32H
REAR HUB Formula 6-Bolt freehub, disc, 135x9mm spacing, quick-release, 32H
SPOKES Stainless, 14g
FRONT TIRE Ground Control Sport, 29x2.3"
REAR TIRE Fast Track, 29x2.2"
INNER TUBES Schrader, 40mm valve