Hi All I'm sure thsi isn' the first time this question's been asked but, I'm just starting out having got a taste for it over the last couple of weeks and need some advice about which bike to buy? I intend to do a bit of cross country, forrestry tracks etc and the local tracks where I live, like Wolf Tracks at laggan and the ones at Golspie etc, but I can't ever imagine I'll be doing anything too technical! I 've already done a bit of red and black runs - and one extreme...which was nice! and am generally looking for a good all round bike, climbs and descends well and that isn't too difficultt o control. I'm being seduced by the 'bling' at the moment and need some help. I've been looking at the Cube Stereo K18 and Scott Genius 30, but to be honest don't really know what i'm looking at. I've got about £2000 to spend...any ideas??
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Personaly I'd be looking at a Horst link bike which would be This or This Try one and see for yourself
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 Zesty 314 I'd say
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 Laggan's pretty technical Gordon, Golspie has it's moments too. I'd be looking at a 5-6" bike from one of the big companies Giant, Specialized, Orange, Trek. I reckon the Orange 5 would make a good first FS all rounder.
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 Trek and Spesh are renowned for having neutral handling which would be ideal for a first timer IMO.
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 i have a brand new specialized rockhopper expert disc 2009 model 19` frame for sale. brilliant hardtail with plenty of travel for those off road tracks and very quick bike to. rrp£889 for sale at £550
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Dear All thanks very much for all of the help and great advice. I've taken the plunge and bought a Scott Gebnius 40....got a really good deal and am chuffed! If any of you know any horror stories about this bike please keep it to yourself...I don't think I could take it!!! Cheers...Gordy
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 I'd have got the Orange 5. 
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 Yeah, should have got the Orange 5 :/
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Gebnius are a poor bike, you should have gone for the Genius
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ok, ok I get it! I'll work on my typing!! Cheers
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 The Genius is a mint bike, just a lot of people on here think they are free ride gods and need a Orange 5 or a big hit bike, in reality the genius is a light weight well set up bike, so just enjoy it. Personally I think the Orange 5 is over rated and is ugly as sin.
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The Orange 5 isn't a freeride bike...it's an XC trail bike for the heavy handed.
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 I bought a Genius 40 this summer for a jolly good price. I bought it because it ticked all the boxes, which was basically riding position, wieght, comfort and felt genuinely confidence inspiring.
Before this purchase I absolutely hated the idea of ever owning a Scott but a test ride convinced me otherwise, in fact on the test ride I really wanted to hate it, but really couldn't find fault.
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 The Orange 5 isn't a freeride bike...it's an XC trail bike for the heavy handed. Or for the heavier "real men" out there 
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