Thank you for bringing up the point that low engagement hubs are not an improvement for "pedal kick". The only thing I've noticed from them personally, is that when it does engage the pawl/ratchet on a hard compression, it's a much more aggressive thud and yank on your feet than in a high engagement hub. High engagement hubs have a more consistent feel to them that is easier to adjust to, than wondering when you'll get a sharp tug against your feet.
The best remedy for pedal kickback imo, a bike with well designed suspension that allows for less. I had the previous gen Fury with the last of the i-drive, and the calmness in the cranks was certainly noticeable. The other point to pay attention to, what gear you are in. Bikes (vast majority) don't have the same pedal kick throughout the gear range when using a standard cassette. If you have the ability to run https://linkagedesign.blogspot.com/ on your computer, I'd suggest doing so. You can find your bike in the archive (check for highest accuracy) and figure out where in your cassette the pedal kick drop to near zero or below zero degrees. Any time you are descending, try and be in that gear or higher as soon as possible. Viola, your pedal kick is technically gone. The feeling of your chain is not....



I've linked this before, but is relevant here again for those that aren't familiar. Something to bear in mind with stack height. https://www.pinkbike.com/news/intends-new-stem-actually-improves-cockpit-stiffness-review.html

Adding spacers reduces reach and causes more flex in the cockpit and steer tube. You may not notice the flex, but you'll probably notice more creaking and wearing out headsets faster. If you are ocd and align your headset spacer logos, you'll notice they probably don't stay there forever, even with a perfectly torqued headset. Taller bars and a stem with rise are better solutions than spacers. More important in single crown world obviously.

https://youtu.be/WFZ0wl8I98c

Put him on a 26" rigid single speed for a day? Must've just forgotten what it means to ride a bike, you know, having fun and all. Everyone in the world of bikes must ride/buy what he says, otherwise I guess we're all doing it wrong. Wonder why the marketing dept of a large company hasn't picked him up yet, with all of his valuable insight.

He just needs banned to Pinkbike. They're looking for a Waki replacement