Hi there. My boyfriend recently rebuilt his old mountain bike and really wants me to get one, too. He thinks that I would really enjoy mountain biking. I've only even been road biking for about a year and a half. But I love descending and am not super scared of falling off my bike. those are good mountain biking indicators, right?

I don't know anyone else who mountain bikes except him. So i kind of just blindly listen to whatever he says. He's been biking for 15 years, so he is pretty knowledgeable, don't get me wrong. I just like having extra opinions.

HT or FS?
He has a HT mountain bike. He thinks I should get a full supsension mountain bike. His reasoning is that since we don't live near enoughto mountain trails to be able to practice handling skills, it would make sense for me to have a FS bike. HE also says it would just make it a more enjoyable and smoother ride for me. I guess for a newbie, what are the pros and cons of each? I have a general sense. I just don't know what would be the best for me.

Sizing
I have really short legs. I roughly measured once and it was at between 26-27in. so i definitely need a small bike. (Or xs bike or xxs). But i have a longer torso and shorter arms (but not as freakishly short as my legs). I've only found a couple bikes in my size and have resigned to the fact that I will be spending 1600 on a new FS bike. I don't really know a whole lot about bikes, but I'm pretty sure I want at least 100mm of travel.

Bikes
In my price range, i have basically two choices. The Santa Cruz S (the difference in standover of the S and XS is only 0.1 on an inch. The top tube is what is most different). And the Jamis Dakar XC Comp. My boyfriend is NOT super excited about the Jamis. I think he thinks that the Santa Cruz is the better bike over the Jamis. No bike shops near me have these to try.

I have looked at the Titus X but they are impossible to find or get too expensive.

I guess I just want to know what you all would recommend for someone who has never ridden a Mountain bike before, is looking for a FS in midget standover sizes, and is willing to pay 1600. Or, do you guys thinks I've been on the right track and I just need to make a decision now?