Fidl- My husband is an avid and improving technically mountain biker but happy to take me on the easy trails. I don't think anyone can be a slower learner than me and I bruise so easy that even if I don't fall I get a bruise. BUT I love mountain biking. A hardtail will be less expensive and plenty for the easier trails and you can have a lot of fun on those. I don't know the DFW trails but I know our area has plenty of easy to intermediate trails to go with the crazy technical stuff I won't try. You should try it!