Not sure yet, but i'm thinking a full suspension mountain bike, or a nicely equipped hardtail. About $1000 USD or so. I may go up to $1400 ish if it'* worth it.

Around 4-5" travel, beefy stuff. Something to take drops, curbs, but not be totally innefficient with pedaling. Pretty much an all mountain bike.

hmmm, i'd have to say go with Jim'* suggestion and find a good used Schwinn. They're the most heavily built.

Curbs?!!! Ouch...gonna go through bike rims like schitt through a goose, boy...

--Christine :P

id recommend a haro, but there mt bikes arent know as much as there freestyle..what i am

I have a Specialized rockhopper, its good for the occational bike ride.

I bought a full suspention mountian bike back in 1998. The first week of ownership I rode it 450 miles ( went on a tour of the state ). It currently has 6200 miles on the OD and has been to hell and back. I managed, in a fit of rage, to get it up to 51mph (down a hill), rode it off a cliff, got hit by a Cavilier, and wiped out at 20mph. I live by mountain bike trails and ride it almost everyday. What is it? The very first full suspention bike sold by a department store. The ones sold now are ***t, but this one actually cost $450 from Target. It only weighs something like 28lbs and is a 24 speed. Ever since then most department store bikes cost $90 and weigh 40lbs.

Cannondale makes amazingly tough frames, all Shimano components.
I used to have a Trek, myself. 800Sport, unsuspended, cheapest model in their lineup.
Cheap, but rugged. I weigh close to 300lbs and pulled some curb-hops and down-hilling idiocies that should have SHATTERED that frame, and never even so much as bent a rim.
If I ever catch the betch that stole that bike, he'll have trouble walking for weeks.

I like my Raliegh M20 (it'* deep purple too). Aluminum frame, 21 spd and very light compared to my Schwinn Woodlands 18 spd (was a 12 speed, but I changed it to 1. I haven't ridden since 02, but the Raliegh was my dirt trail bike and the Schwinn was my paved trail cruiser with it'* big tires.
My Raliegh isn't the fanciest, but it was the best bang for the buck when I bought it my freshman year of college back in 1998/1999. Paid $280 for it, and have put many miles of trails behind me.
Back to the point, I have had Raliegh, Schwinn for mountain bikes and I find they both have suited me well and they both would cover well for what I use the other for. I give both Schwinn and Raliegh 2 thumbs up so you might consider them.

Um, why did the # 18 turn into a smiley? :?

Because you put it in parenthesis. So instead of 8 ) you got

And Jason, do you really need $1000 worth of mountain bike? If you're not gonna throw yourself off of a mountain with it, then why pay pro price?? I got a pretty rugged 12 or 18 speed bike at Walmart for under 100 that works great on the street, and has survived me thinking I was young enough to hit a few pretty rough trails. It held up a lot better than I did...

I seen one at Wallyworld the other day with full shocks and whatnot for about 180 bucks....

It sounds like you're planning on spending some real money (as opposed to $80 from Walmart), and most anything in price range will be quality. Some people have brand preferences, but IMO you can't go wrong with the major manufacturers... many already mentioned. Trek, GT, Raleigh, Cannondale, Fuji, Schwinn, Specialized (in no particular order) and you should be good to ride!

Check out the MTB review forums and classifieds at http://www.mtbr.com/ for all kinds of opinions from hard-core riders.