d2create

Couple of friends want me to get a bike so I can go mtn biking with them.
Nothing major, just the trails at Memorial Park here in Houston.
Haven't been, but I hear it's pretty much constant up and down, over tree roots.

Mtn biking isn't really my thing but i figure it might be fun to change things up once in a while. But I don't plan on getting into it seriously.
Since I don't know d..k about mtn bikes, what would you suggest?
I could do the craigslist thing but I wouldn't know what the heck I was getting and for this bike I don't know if I really want to deal with the hassle of buying used. But I'll definitely be taking a look after I hear what you have to say about new bikes and make some comparisons. I'd also be worried about the beating a used mtn bike may have taken.

So watchoo suggest? Thanks!

p.s. - read the faq but looking for some quick advice on a few specific models to look at and get me started.