you can barely get a frame for $300. If you're just bunny hopping and trying a little flatland, you don't need a crazy high end bike yet. Get something that has a decent frame and worry about the other stuff when you get to that point. about the front brakes, I was front brake only for a while before I went brakeless to make myself a little smoother. if you don't want to spend the money on a new fork with 990 mounts, see if you can find a 990 brake plate adaptor. it bolts into the hole for the caliper brakes but has the mounts for 990's. I ran one for a few years and never had a problem. also if you want to take the brakes off, you dont have to worry about re-tuning them if you ever want to pet them back on. you just undo one bolt and you golden. Your local bike shop might have them. They look like this but have 990 mounts instead: http://www.danscomp.com/489051.php?cat=PARTS (<---dont buy that, its just an example of a brake plate adaptor). good luck