Hi guys,

I confess to knowing very little about mountain bikes so could do with a hand in choosing between some.

I want the bike for biking around local forests and countryside; some bumps and quite a bit of mud this time of year. I've read that a hardtail is the way forward unless you're spending big bucks so I have selected a few below. My criteria are that it has good front suspension, at least a 20" frame (I'm 6"6') and will be a good bike... the best I can get for the money.

I've been searching on ebay but some of teh deals below are nearly as cheap as the bikes go for on ebay so I'd rather get a new one.

I'd prefer to spend around £300 but some are a bit more and I've got no idea what extra I'd be getting for my money... any help with this would be appreciated!

Cheap and looks like a really great deal:
http://www.ashcycles.com/power/index...oducts_id=1060

Cheap but no Rock Shox:
http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/product...d=m1b38s2p1887

mmmmmm exposed aluminium:
http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/product...d=m1b38s2p1886

getting more expensive...
http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/product...d=m1b38s2p1885

Top top end of budget... but are they worth it for a novice?

http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/product...lid=m1b7s1p553

http://www.winstanleysbikes.co.uk/pr...ion_Bike_2008_

Here are a few on ebay that I'm watching... but after seeing the prices above for new bikes are they really such a good deal (obviously depends what they go for... if you think there's a really good bike below then what would you pay for it!?)

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...m=200287022467

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...m=170287844289

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...m=300280033129

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...m=160305078440

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...m=180313893754

Any help would be greatly appreciated as I want to get something asap.

Thanks,

Luke