Chris: I'll offer a counter-position about full-suspension bikes. As you rightly point out, unless you're gonna drop $3K on a well-built free ride bike, a "cheap" one isn't gonna fill the bill. However, unless you plan on doing DH extensively, there's no reason a good rigid frame hardtail can't run any trail as well as or better than a full suspension rig. F&R suspension is mostly useful for high-speed descents and jumps/ramps/drops. It'll also keep your body from feeling quite as beat up after a day's ride, but if you're not an old guy and in pretty good shape, a hardtail will keep you entertained in the woods for a long time at much lower cost. Might even be able to find a 29'r at a reasonable price, and they ride much more smoothly than a 26".