Need advice on bike purchase

[Inocense]

New here!.. Thank you all in advance for all of your help and opinions.. :)

I am looking at the following 3 bike's...

http://www.rei.com/product/745678

http://www.khsbicycles.com/07_tc_150_m_07.htm

http://www.raleighusa.com/items.asp?deptid=11&itemid=283&childid=442

Now.. What I am looking for... I would like front suspension, aluminum frame (the weight of the bike is important to me), men's bike, size 15" or 16"... Everything else is up in the air.. I plan on riding on the street/sidewalks until we get to the forest preserve and it's dirt trails which is a couple miles away.. I am a casual rider and I will not be doing any extreme mountain biking as I live in Illinois and it is flat here.. :P

All of these bikes are within my pricerange.. Under $300... I am not really sure what to look for as far as quality parts is concerned so I am hoping this is where you could take a look at them and assist me.. I have to purchase this bike within the next 2 weeks..

Any questions?...

So happy to have found these forums and thank you once again for any and all help that you can provide!!!!

[globe9]

I checked all 3 out and none of them have any real decent components...mostly the low end stuff. I know K2 has a good rep, as well as KHS. Not too sure about the Raleigh however. I got my Marin Hawk Hill for under $300 from Sierratradingpost.Com, but I don't think they have anymore left which is a shame because it lists for about $600 and had decent components for the under $300 price(Deore etc.) Check their site out and see what their offering...sometimes you can find an online coupon code which will give you an extra 20% off or so. Also take a look at Iron Horse...some decent bikes with good components in the under $300 range. I know this doesn't help much, but I'm fairly new myself.