A total beginner looking for a bike...
 

I have hardly learned to ride a bike as a kid. Now almost 19, I feel that getting a bike would be a fun hobby. The issue is, I don't know anything about them.My friends have MTN bikes and go ever so often on trails and I would like to go with them.

I have no clue what brand is good or what would be good for me in general. I was thinking around a $500 budget would be good, but maybe more if the bike is better.

I'm 5'6" 120lbs, but I might still grow another inch if that matters.

I was looking at this one from Diamond back, but like I said I have no clue what is right for me.

If this matters; I live in the Appalachian MTNs of NC to give a terrain perspective.

Thanks for the help!

You're close to some of the best mtb trails on the East Coast. There are also a lot of very good bike shops in your area. Go to as many as possible, talk to the folks there, see what they have in your price range, test ride a bunch of bikes, and buy the one that's most comfortable to you. I recommend you start your search over at Sycamore Cycles in Pisgah Forest, they're a cool and knowledgeable bunch.

Have you ridden any of your friends bikes?

I have, but they are also around 6ft tall. There bikes seem too big, at least for me. I'm a fairly small person. I'm very inexperienced with riding bikes in general and have not road on a trail before. I road though town on my friends older Mongoose bike (only like 2 miles) I about died, haha. I want to build my endurance; enough so to go on the trails.

Well I'd keep my eyes open on craigslist. I mean you don't need anything fancy, just a bike that is solid and won't fall apart.