If you plan to do much aggressive/technical riding (and it sounds like you do) you're going to need good brakes - skimp on anything else you want but not that. I would highly recommend trying to find something with disc brakes - you can always upgrade the calipers if needed. A lot, if not most of the sub-$200 CL bikes will be older brand-name bikes with V or canti brakes. They will work but eventually you're going to want better stopping power, and upgrading Vs to disc also means new frame and new wheels - IOW, you'll be buying another bike.
Ultimately the advice to save up more money might be the best thing.