Just finished this build today. Wasn't sure what I was going to do with this frame, but I'm really happy how it turned out. The Shimano Mega9 shifters/rear derailleur came off an old Specialized FSR, I used a top pull LX front derailleur I found off Craigslist. The Rhino Lite wheelset I've had for years, but just converted to tubeless using Muc-Off conversion kit, and some gravelkings that were the only tubless ready tires I had. The Race Face carbon/alloy cranks were from the parts bin, so are the XTR v-brakes. The fork is an Ali DarkRock one that I stripped, and was going to repaint to match another bike, but I liked the way the raw looked so I clear coated an added it to this build. Bars are Ritchey Kyotes. They are wide bois but super comfy. I left them uncut because of my gorilla arms. Old Selle saddle, and new Gorix rack. I've never been Bikepacking before, and this is what I'm going to take on some short trips this fall to test the waters.
Since I got my first trail bike with dropper I can't think of life without one. Even so simple as dropping seat while waiting for lights to turn green is such a quality of life increase it's crazy.
But I'd also want to torture myself by pushing the bike on local trails so it would greatly help with descends
I'm in a lucky position that I'm quite a manlet at 174cm (5' 9" I think in freedom units) so the shortness of 90s frames are less of a problem for me
Dude just search your local classifieds and get an old used steel mtb remotely in your size and just take it from there. Don't get anything new, just tune it up. Don't think about trails, or droppers. Think about casual riding and gravel. Get used to the geometry and have fun. Go out late at night and hop curbs or just sprint. If you grew up riding bikes you'll be surprised at how intuitive a 26er is.