I'm a single speed rider from Texas, and I refuse to drive anywhere unless I absolutely have to. Right now I ride an Origin 8 steel frame, and I'm working on getting a mountain bike this summer. College student majoring in photography & graphic design with a minor in physics. I've been on a bike since I first learned how to ride, and I don't even intend on ever getting off.

Welcome cyclesailor to BF.
League City here.
Where are you in TX?

San Antonio.

What kind of MTB you looking into? I started doing a lot of SS/Fixed riding and I found when I starting hitting some MTB trails (with an MTB, of course ) I had significant climbing ability/power.

Hello and welcome!!

@rawsted Well, I was originally a mountain biker hitting up the trails on an anchor weight mongoose all through middle and high school. Then when I graduated I started working at a local bike shop and my eyes were opened ha. I had my eyes on a Specialized Enduro a while back, but financially, that's just not going to happen. So I was thinking of just a simple hardtail like a Rockhopper or maybe something from Canondale. Any suggestions?

Look for something used or set a budget and start pricing components and build your own. I did the latter, and am very please with the result: https://i.imgur.com/AsgJv.jpg

Cost was around $2k

Pretty sweet ride. I would go that route, but I don't have the patience for it, at least not right now. I had plans on riding some pretty awesome trails this summer, so the sooner the better.