Check out the Haro Sonix line, they have bikes in your price range, and have the Virutal Link Suspsension(VLS), where the rear arm moves as 1 unit. This makes pedaling much easier over bumps.
The bike shops sell for less than Haro's MSRP, so the Comp can be had for around $2g.
What's the difference between free ride, cross country and all mountain?
Looking at bikes, I get what downhill and dirt jump bikes are, but what's the difference between free ride, XC, all mountain, and any other category they use?
Check out Haro. They have great bikes in every category and price range. I hear nothing good about diamondback anymore. Trek is a solid brand, don't know much about yeti except they are priced a bit high.
What's the difference between free ride, cross country and all mountain?
Looking at bikes, I get what downhill and dirt jump bikes are, but what's the difference between free ride, XC, all mountain, and any other category they use?