Originally Posted by Bosock

If you ride roads and dirt roads, and not mountain trails per se, then hardtail would be the way to go. Buying a hardtail to lock out the back tire doesn't make sense. In addition, if you are not riding obstacles then a hardtail will be more efficient on roads and dirt roads. Climbing or coming down trails with roots, rocks and bumps, full suspension is far better going up or down. Gary Fisher makes a ton of good quality hardtails, found price/performance to be about the best, however Specialized and others make a pretty good bike as well. Get a decent air shock, even the tora shocks will work. I do not agree with weight and dual suspension argument though. If you have a good bike shop they will be able to set you up most bikes now come with warrant and are pretty well built. Giant makes a Yukon dual suspension, though it isn't as good as a 2500 full suspension from other manufactures, is a GREAT $750 full suspension that rides like a $1500 dollar bike and better than most hardtails. In your post you can tell you liked the ride of the pitch and full suspension. IF you are looking to drop weight and hit mountain trails then I would look at the Giant Yukon if you have $750...the Giant salesman will tell you if they can adequately set you up on that bike. Then again, if you are not really riding any single tracks or actual cross country trails, and limit your rides to asphault or dirt roads, hardtail would be a more economical solution. I would say, that if you are just mostly riding roads and focused on losing weight, you may want to look into an entry level road bike. Road bike far more efficient on the road and encourages you to ride longer. Good luck with your purchase and if you ride it alot you made the right choice.