Mountain Biking - Help me out with new bike!

Ok here is the deal. I have had success in getting my girlfriend to love mountian biking, but not hardcore; which is fine. Being the broke college girl that she is I am looking for her to get a bike that will suit her riding style. She is in no way an expert, just an beginner/average rider. She is looking to spend no more than $200 which I know, isnt alot for biking. What do you guys think is the best hardtail for the buck in this catagory? I went to walmart.com and sportsauthority.com and found mongoose's and schwinn's for around that price....do you think they will be able to handle the trails....and will she be able to handle the bike?
Thanks

The Dick's Sporting Goods near my parents, started selling the Diamondback Response, which I bought from my LBS. Go figure. I think if you can find the model of bike on the manufacturers web site you will be ok as far as quality goes. I bought a Mongoose from Dick's, FS for like $200. Big surprise that the model was no where on the Mongoose web site, being it was a real cheapo bike. You can then always take the bike to a LBS to be looked over. Also, go to a LBS for a reutrned bike. There are a lot of HT and FS bikes that people rode once and decided they didn't like and now go for a major discount, but in great almost new condition. If she can spend more, than $200, Raleigh has a decent HT to start with at a LBS in Newark, DE. I'm sure other shops that carry the brand will have it below $300 as well.

Start looking for some used bikes. I would not recommend buying an X-Mart to anyone I liked!

L8R

walmart and other dept store bikes are unsafe to ride due to improper assembly. $200 isn't much but i started off on a giant boulder (cheapest bike the bike shop had).

I just went through the same thing you are going through. Except my wife was never really into cycling and didn't know if she'd like. She was strongly against spending a lot on a bike for her until she got more comfortable with cycling. I was talked out of going the extremely cheap route by this forum -- I found a LBS that was selling Roadmasters for about $100.

I ended up getting a left over IRon horse for my wife for about 170 from the LBS I got my trek from. All I can say is I second every opinion that says stay away from xmarts! I had a great experience at my LBS. They set it up and talked her thtough the bike and, since they offer lifetime tune-ups I know they'll be there and stand behind it.

Visit as many LBS as you can. Be honest with them about your needs and budget, and you'll find something appropriate.

Got my Trek on eBay for $170.