Money's the main issue; we are saving for the wedding, houses, etc. I'd also rather go for an adequate hardtail now and not sweat the upgrade to a GOOD full suspension in a couple of years when and if she's finding the hardtail limiting, instead of buying an entry level FS bike and still likely needing an upgrade in a couple of years. I'm definitely trying to stay under $1000 CDN, but my starting point was $600. We're talking about shared money here, so if she wants to spend a little extra I'm fine with it, but we are really watching our budget. Just to be clear, snowy, I'm definitely not looking for a rigid bike (she started on one and has done very well on it; time for some front suspension at least).
I also want to make sure she's totally sold on mountain biking before jumping right in, and a hardtail will always be a decent general-purpose bike if she ends up only riding occasionally (she's done well on a rigid, but hasn't really gotten into the sport). The terrain we'll likely be riding in the forseeable future is also pretty tame (around Calgary); there are plenty of good agressive trails out-of-town around K-country and Canmore etc, but the idea of having to drive 1 1/2 hours each way to get a ride in kind of bothers me (yeah.. I'm a spoiled BC boy who likes pedalling to the trailhead). I have a feeling that weight will be a significant factor as well (which is why I don't think she'll get the Norco - 32 lbs!); maybe I'm wrong, but won't a entry-level FS be significantly heavier in general?
The last bit, and I do realize this is kind of a weak excuse, is that I've always been on a hardtail (or rigid) bike and I'm not that comfortable about buying, maintaining, or teaching her to ride a FS bike yet... plus, I'm still on a needs-to-be-replaced '97 Norco Nitro that I love and am trying to milk another couple of seasons out of. If money were no object I'd probably be shopping for two FS bikes instead of one hardtail, but that's not possible at this point.
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All this being said, I'm not opposed to the idea of getting her a FS bike, if the bike and the price were right. Any recommendations? My dad tracked down a used Giant Pistol 1 for me (in BC - a former rental bike at Silver Star) about the right size, and he's been pushing the full suspension angle. It's a possibility, but I'm not really confident buying used and would like her to have something new from a local shop in case she's having any mechanical issues.