Should I buy a full-suspension mountain bike or a hardtail?

If you're not sure then you've just revealed yourself as a trail-riding newbie--what a wonderful thing. Go with the hardtail. Without a rear suspension the bike will be lighter and less forgiving, which will help you feel the bumps, pick lines and correct mistakes without the hand-holding of a shock.

Think of it this way: Kids who learn to drive on a standard transmission can drive anything, but those who learn on an automatic are spoiled forever. Then, there's value. For $1,000, you can buy a quality hardtail with good spec. Full-suspension bikes in this range have low-quality parts. If your heart is set on full suspension, be ready to spend more than a grand for decent tech, and at least $2,500 for a true performance bike.