Absolute newby questions
 

I just started back to riding off road last summer on my 10-15 year old stock Cannondale SM 800 and found myself getting beat up by the lack of shocks, so I've started looking at other options. I'm trying to fight my gear freak urge to buy some over-the-top bike, and I just found a used Jekyll 500 that is being offerred at $750. Is a Jekyll a good bike for a relatively casual off-road rider (not much of the insane downhill-type stuff, but a fair amount of BMX-y intermediate trail riding with lots of tree roots, etc.)? What should a used Jekyll be worth? Thanks

I've seen quite a few proponents of the Jeckyll here on the forums. I've heard they're not so great for people who ride extremely hard, but given what you're saying I think it should be fine for you. I don't know if $750 is what it's worth... what year is it and what component set does it have on it?