Mountain Biking - Can anyone help out a newbie?

Hi all, I'm brand new to this forum and I'm hoping a few of you might offer some advice. I ride road now, never even been on a mountain bike, but I'd like to try it out. I'd like to start riding with a couple buddies of mine. I'm in the market for an entry level mountain bike and am looking at Treks/Fishers. One of my buddies suggested a bike like the Fisher Mullet would be a good bike to learn on because of the very relaxed geometry. I've been thinking along the lines of the 6500 or Tassajaras. Any suggestions, does it even matter that much at this price point?
By the way, I live in central Ohio so there's not a ton of riding options available. From what I understand, the local trail is not real demanding. Thanks again.

i dont know too much about bikes, just learning myself, but as per everyone elses instructions, ride them first, go test ride some bikes, find one that comfortable....

this kind of topic has been done over and over again, search it youll find lots of good info.

thanks, stretch

do u want full suspension or a hard tail (front shock=fork only) or rigid (no shocks)?

Just start on a HT (Hard Tail). You will learn better and take better lines, it WILL improve your riding if you start on a hardtail.

do u want full suspension or a hard tail (front shock=fork only) or rigid (no shocks)?
Y O U ****/****/* is it so *********** hard to type two extra **/******* letters?

wow... someone whom that annoys as much as it annoys me... looks like your post got the crap censored out of it, though. lol

Y O U ****/****/* is it so *********** hard to type two extra **/******* letters?
:eek: :eek: :eek:

I can't think of some words to fill the big ones :rolleyes:

I'm pretty fluent in the language of swearing.. I can get most, but the one with the slash throws me off. Oh well, we get the idea ;)

Thanks for the replies. I am going with a hardtail, primarily for financial reasons, but if it helps me in the long run with riding skill, all the better!
I am going to test ride both the Tass and the 6500. I'm just not sure about the Mullet?

The Tassajara looks to be a pretty nice ride, especially since it has an LX rear derailleur. A lot of bikes in that range come spec'd with just Deore components.

Raiyn come on man you are a straight up grammar nazi just relax.

Raiyn, I can't stand AOLese either but you really need to chill about or els u r gng 2 hv a hrt attck :D !

I think he has every right to *****, if that's how people who moderate the forums want it to be. That's only fair...

Raiyn, you need to get a life man, that was one letter, and you have a right go at him for it, chill out, we're here to help, not argue and flame people, which I see happening more and more on these forums....

OK, we got completely off topic here... and for the record, Raiyn was a bit intoxicated the night of that post... needless to say, the Tassajara isn't a bad bike; I was actually considering it before I happened upon my Hardrock Pro for $650 at my local bike shop. I'm quite happy with my HR Pro and would suggest checking one out in addition to the Tassajara and maybe the Kona Cinder Cone if you have a Kona dealer in your area