Mostly singletrack in our rocky/rooty and fairly low elevation state park. I am a beginner riding an overly large but forgiving old GT Timberline steel hardtail and hard fork. I can't move the bike that well and it is heavy so I spend more time walking and lifting than actually riding.

I know that weight is a factor and that the drivetrain should be decent but in this economy I can't see dropping a thousand bucks on a mountain bike when I don't know if I'll have a job tomorrow! I want to do more rides with the local mb club and I want to learn properly, so I am looking for inexpensive entry-level. Do I really need a super$$$machine for that?