All about bicycles! HELP ME BUY ONE!

Ok, so not really related to photography (well, not yet!), but im about to embark on my very first adventure with buying a bicycle!

believe it or not, ive never bought one -- always borrowed. so im in the market for a light, full suspension, road/mountain bike ... that can be had for under $500.00.

currently looking at the Mongoose Fireline 26" is this bike any good?

any suggestions?

i will post pics as soon as i get it, promise!

www.bikeforums.net
best bike forums ever.
I love it

www.ridemonkey.com is where i hang out to talk bike-related stuff.

Go to Benny's and buy a Huffy!

here's one for you http://bp3.blogger.com …h/Strange-bicycles-09.jpg

so much to learn ... so little time!!

thanks for the links and suggestions everyone!

http://www.huffybikes.​com/bikes/kids/1.html

I haven't paid much attention to bikes for a while, but I will make two quick suggestions with out trying to pick a model for you:
1) Go to a real bike shop. It may cost a little more, but you will be frustrated to no end by a bike that Wallyworld does a crappy job of adjusting.
2) For that price you are better of with just front suspension. You will get much higher quality in a hard tail, and you will be much happier if you can get over the gimmick of the crappy full suspension that they are throwing on everything these days.

That's a really nice Huffy Jake! thanks for the tips Stocky! i was planning on just going to Dicks and picking up a bike but I think there's a Performance bike store nearby so I'll pay them a visit.

This is worse than buying an L lens!

also, if i decide to get a used bike, what should i be looking for aside from the obvious -- miles, wear and tear, etc.?

The first things I would look for are probably rust, if the wheels spin true, and the level of the components. If it is free of rust and the wheels are straight (less than a cm of movement side to side) then they probably took decent care of it. If they have name brand components then the rest of the bike is probably decent. I guess the other spot that would indicate a serious problem is if you can grab a peddle and shake it side to side and there is any movement between the peddle and the frame. I have had decent success with used bikes and as long as your are careful you should be alright.

Trek is my suggestion