Mountain Biking - What is it that I really need? A Freeride or XC hardtail?

Well, I spend a lot of time in dirtjumps, drops and stuff like that (in fact me, my cousins a bunch of their friends are making some nice jumps and stuff in his house) but I do trails and XC stuff a lot too, its nothing serious on either sides, just recreational, but I would like to do both, what would be better, a Freeride hardtail (like the Giant STP series) or an XC Hardtail (like KHS's Alite series) to fit both my needs, I don't want optimal frame geometry or components made for it (I can adapt to it just fine to do both), I just don't want my fork/frame/components getting serious damage from doing something its not supposed to and damaging my bike.

I'm leaning towards a traditional XC hardtail like the KHS Alite but I'm wondering if I will cause any damage to it from dirt jumping with it, I don't want bikes like the STP or KHS DJ because their geometry seems too (how to describe it) angular and I didn't like riding my friend's STP3/2 well I don't know how to explain it but you know what I mean while I'm completely in love with my cousin's Rockhopper Comp (I used it for dirtjumping and had absolutely no problems with it, I like it so much I think I'm getting a basic Rockhopper for the frame alone and upgrading it as time goes).

Well, basically, my question in the end is? What are the cons of recreational dirtjumping/drops on an entry level XC Hardtail like a KHS Alite, Specialized Rockhopper/Hardrock, Trek 4300/4500, etc, etc?

Well sorry for being such a noob and while we are at it, what do you think is essential equipment? I know gloves and helmet are one as well as the essentials such as spare tubes, multitool, etc but what about clothing? I usually ride with blue jeans (I put a rubber band around my leg to prevent the pant from getting stuck in the crank and ripping) and a light jersey (plus gloves and helmet).

Sounds like you got it goin' on already. I think you know which bike you want already. Have fun.

I'd say you should get a freeride hardtail, you can XC it but you shouldn't really freeride a XC hardtail, in my opinion. I think the Hardrock should hold up great, mine is and I've been doing DH and some light freeride on it for nearly a year now.

Check out some of the Marin AXC bikes.
I have the Northside Trail, and it is great. I do alot of Urban stuff, because i live in NYC. Drops off staircases etc. also ride some trails when i get a chance or can find them. I also ride along the water pathe with my wife sorta like XC. But mainly I jump off of anything i can weather it's street or dirt jumps. It rides great, and takes a beating. here's their site: http://marinbikes.com/bicycles_2006/html/bikes/bike_series/bikes_ser_axc.html

Sounds like you are in the position I was a year ago. I wanted a frame I could do pretty much anything on. Do some freeride and agressive xc and still ride my bike to get there. Ended up with a Mountain Cycle Rumble. Beautiful awesome frame!!! It is basically a freeride frame but has an extended seat tube and gussets so you can have the seat up high enough for xc on a small enough frame for FR. I ended up getting the large frame and I love it.

Here is a link.
http://www.greenfishsports.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=586

Well, I spend a lot of time in dirtjumps, drops and stuff like that (in fact me, my cousins a bunch of their friends are making some nice jumps and stuff in his house) but I do trails and XC stuff a lot too, its nothing serious on either sides, just recreational, but I would like to do both, what would be better, a Freeride hardtail (like the Giant STP series) or an XC Hardtail (like KHS's Alite series) to fit both my needs, I don't want optimal frame geometry or components made for it (I can adapt to it just fine to do both), I just don't want my fork/frame/components getting serious damage from doing something its not supposed to and damaging my bike.

I'm leaning towards a traditional XC hardtail like the KHS Alite but I'm wondering if I will cause any damage to it from dirt jumping with it, I don't want bikes like the STP or KHS DJ because their geometry seems too (how to describe it) angular and I didn't like riding my friend's STP3/2 well I don't know how to explain it but you know what I mean while I'm completely in love with my cousin's Rockhopper Comp (I used it for dirtjumping and had absolutely no problems with it, I like it so much I think I'm getting a basic Rockhopper for the frame alone and upgrading it as time goes).

Well, basically, my question in the end is? What are the cons of recreational dirtjumping/drops on an entry level XC Hardtail like a KHS Alite, Specialized Rockhopper/Hardrock, Trek 4300/4500, etc, etc?

Well sorry for being such a noob and while we are at it, what do you think is essential equipment? I know gloves and helmet are one as well as the essentials such as spare tubes, multitool, etc but what about clothing? I usually ride with blue jeans (I put a rubber band around my leg to prevent the pant from getting stuck in the crank and ripping) and a light jersey (plus gloves and helmet).

Most people keep different bikes for different tasks. But if you LOVE doing drops and jumps, your first bike should be a free-ride rig. You can ride XC with a free-ride rig. You can only free-ride so many times on an XC frame before it cracks.