How about expanding upon that thought besides just "I don't like carbon fiber bikes"

They are lighter than aluminum and are supposed to be more structurally rigid. I am just wondering if it can endure the lateral stress involved with drops of around 2 feet or so. I don't plan on getting too crazy. Anyway, as far as componentry goes, it seems to have the best setup of anything else I have seen in that price range, complete Shimano Deore from top to bottom, Hayes disc brakes, and Suntour forks (which don't have alot of travel but seem to be good, at least I know you guys hate those Rock Shox Judy TT forks that come on everything else in that price range. And then there is the Montinou Six forks that get stress fractures all the time.) Anyway, before I go blabbing off, I will say I am a newb and am only going off what my research has found so far, so I am more than open to suggestions, I just ask that you expand upon your suggestions to tell me why one is better than the other so as I may learn.

This is what I am looking for. I want a light bike around $500 front suspention only and it has to have trigger shifters and a good derailer. I would like decent brakes, though they don't have to be disks, and It will be mainly used on roads and light trails.

So once again, my focus is for it to be light, have good shifters, and decent brakes whatever they may be.

Thanks for hearing out a newb, and any suggestions are welcome