Mountain Biking - New 2 mountain biking

Hi
I have just 2 questions, I am new the the mountain bike scene and so I am just doing some research on the differents bikes in the shops in my area. I am not looking to spend too much money for the fact that I am just looking for a nice bike for starters, maybe later I'll upgrade to another bike or my components, I am considering a Raliegh (sp?) I dont remember the year or model, but its a front suspesion folk (rockshock judy) with disc brakes, I take it they are mech not hydro. This bike is $549. My question is...

1. What are the benefits of disc brakes vs regular brakes?
2. Can I upgrade from mech disc brakes to hyrdo disc brakes?
3. Should the folk feel stiff or bouncy? one bike had a rock shock which was stiff and another bike had a montour folk which was more soft and bouncy.

Thanks
pacu1

a) welcome to the forums and mountain biking

1 - Disc offer more power/modulation, less hand fatigue over long descents and a lot less effect from environment (wet rims)
2 - yeah. But it would be a full replacement of lever, hose and caliper and probably (not always) the rotor
3 - varies from fork to fork and manufacturer to manufacturer. Marz freeride forks are plush and have a lot of sag, some manitou forks feel stiff unless being activated by bumps. Its really hard to say which works best as it is personal.

3. Should the folk feel stiff or bouncy? one bike had a rock shock which was stiff and another bike had a montour folk which was more soft and bouncy.

Thanks
pacu1



Be sure to ask the dealer to explain about any adjustments (internal and external) that can be made to the fork. That can affect the 'feel', too, relative to your weight and riding style.

Thanks for welcoming me to the forum and also thanks for the advice.
pacu1

Suntour vs. Rockshox, get the Rockshox hands down. I don't think Suntour makes ANY component worth even looking at.