Sorry no time to read all the above, but I'll chime in with what might be some repeated info.
With your budget... shop USED! A new bike in that price range is going to be a piece of crap. I picked up a 1999 Giant ATX 890 a year ago for 250 bucks... the thing has a SID, full ESP 9.0SL/XT components. It was like a 3000 dollar bike when new. It is older... but it runs great with no issues. Beats the snot out of anything brand new at Target.

Avoid rear suspension in your budget... it's great stuff on expensive bikes, but terrible for cheap bikes.

Do not buy with the intention of upgrading. Upgrading a bike that cost you 250 is not worthwhile... just plan on selling it and buying a better model later.

All name brand bikes are good... no point in arguing Specialized vs. Trek vs. Cannondale vs. whatever else.
I ride a Cannondale mountain bike, and am actually a bit of a Cannondale fanboy (because of their suspension)... my road bike is a Norco. Both are top of the range models... but I would gladly ride anything as long as it gets me outside!

Feel free to post up bikes you find for sale. I've seen great deals on eBay in the 250 mark. Just shop local on eBay... I think you can do that? Otherwise check Kijiji and craigslist.

Good luck!

 

OK, sorry I dint get to post up the equipment links. Spent all night patching my old, crappy laptop for my daughter to use. Time I got around to getting back online it was almost midnight.

I'll sneak some "research" time in at work, in the daytime, post up then.

 

I appreciate all the input guys. Keep it coming.
Some time this week I will be going to a bike shop to learn a little bit more and to see what fits me. Hopefully I can find something used there for a good price.

 

What do you guys think about this one?
http://www.harborcountrybike.com/Ruckus_2_0_p/g5800.htm
A bike is selling one used for $450CDN. Looks almost new. Has new continental tires which thew showed me were $60 each.
Opinions?

 

overpriced IMO

 

Remember its Canadian currency, $377USD. And it does have a upgraded fork (rock shox jody) and tires and had a tune at the shop.

 

So I got the GT, great bike Im very happy with it. Went out riding today and my *** hurts. I need a new seat. Any recommendations? I need something comfortable and fairly affordable. But Im not really willing to have a sore *** anymore, if its good and costly I may have to get it.

 

You don't need a new seat... You need to ride more. The first few rides of the season are painful. Try riding one day, and then again the very next day. It'll be brutally tender down there. Endure the pain, it fades away as quick as your sperm count. Cycling = effective birth control, I reckon.

 

Specialized P2

Shown with street tires, as I have another set of rims and tires for trail riding.

 

^Thats a nice looking bike.
As far as the seat goes. I really dont think I can live this this pain. It started to hurt as soon as I sat on the bike. Not 10-15 mins after I started riding. If this is normal then I guess I can get used to it. But I remember riding bikes as a kid I would never get pain like this from a seat.