bike advice for new guy

Rigid frames are great. However, I say go with a full suspension frame; you'll be glad that you did.

Walker T

Off the road, on the mind...

If you are just beginning and don't know if you are going to stick with the sport, give the 820 a try. You will find that if you start to get a little more aggressive in your riding you will have to upgrade fast. You may want to look into going with a 4300 Trek or a 4500 Trek. Both are excellent beginner rigid frames. Being 6-1 and 230 I will assume the fork on the 820 will not hold up if you plan on any singletrack riding. Good look with your search. Hopefully in the near future you will be looking for a good full suspension rig, but don't spend the money unless you plan on getting your moneys worth.

dont get a trek get a specialized hardrock i am 6'0 230lbs and my hardrock has lasted three years and is still going strong you dont want ridgid you will hate it but stay with a hardtail to learn on they help you climb and you can control on everything that a beginner would ride its a great buy

Take a look at "Zinn and the Art of Mountain Bike Maintenance" a great book about the obvious. There is a good section on what makes a good fit. Don't spent to much money on your first bike. If you like riding, you will want to upgrade no matter what you buy. If you end up not riding that much, you won't be out much. Keep in mind any bike over 3 years old is obsolete i.e. you may not be able to find certain parts. For someone your size, wheels are an important part of the picture.
Good Luck

Slim

Adding to the last post regarding wheels, (and everything else he said) he is on the money. Mavic makes some bomber rims, including older ones. So don't be afraid of buying some older Mavic wheelsets. Don't worry about hubs for now. I strongly suggest learning how to true a wheel. When I first started riding I thought that it would be tough but a shop guy explained it too me in thirty seconds and it was cake. Using the same priciple you can soon be building wheels - you just have to know the spoke pattern. But back to truing a wheel; First, make sure all of your spokes are tight. Then, using some type of guide (I use my v brake pads) see where you are out of true. If it wobbles to the left, tighten the spoke(s)at that point coming the right side of the hub, but do so only in quarter turns each time. You may need to loosen the spoke(s) from the opposite side in quarter turns as well. This knowlege has enabled me to ride out many times that I would have otherwise been walking. I failed to mention that it is key to carry all the necessary tools for any breakdown. There are many sweet multi-tools on the market with multi-size spoke wrenches that would make Macgyver proud.

Bike fit is the main thing, especially if you are new to the sport. It wouldn't matter if you have a 6000 bike, If it doesn't fit you will be bummed and probably not ride as well as you could.

Im Going for a ride,
Slim

I started with a hardtail and within a couple of months was wishing for a full suspension bike. It will all depend on what type of riding you will be doing.
I love my full suspension bikes. Talk with some of your local bike shops, and with some of the riders out there.

I agree with slim, make sure the bike you buy, rigid or full suspension, fits you. Don't let the bike store talk you into "settling" for a bike that is close enough.
If the bike doesn't fit, you will have a sore back, sore knees, sore wrists, and you will not want to ride.

As far as full suspension or rigid, once you ride full suspension, you'll be spoiled. You can get a good entry level, full suspension bike fairly reasonable now.

SARGE: NEVER GIVE UP, NEVER STOP TRYING!

i'm 6'1" 220, i have and ride an older trek 820, 19.5", it fits me well. as far as suspension thats up to you and your budget. your better off getting a bike with better components than getting something cheap because its full suspension. personally i prefer hardtail myself, but i do touring. much easier to put gear on a hardtail.