what mtb for a beginner who is short?

[indysteel]

It looks like Triace is owned by some arm of Wal-mart as it's out of Bentonville, AR. For me, that would give me great pause. Quality aside, I just don't like a lot if their employment practices.

[Owlie]

I can definitely see the advantage of a hard-tail in the skill-development department. The little off-roading I've done has been with a cyclocross bike (so NO suspension), and I quickly found out that I had to be very careful in picking my lines. (And I have a lot of bruises to show for it.) With a full suspension, I could probably have been a bit less careful. "Body English" and bike handling become very important with a hard tail. (And here, full suspension isn't strictly necessary. Not so many rocks.) However, I'm also not a big believer in beating oneself up. You're not being paid to suffer. If full suspension would make you more comfortable and let you enjoy riding rather than feeling like you're being beaten up as you ride, get the full-suspension.

[TrekDianna]

I had a FS and sold it and now both my mtb's are HT. I just like them better. You really should try both and see which you are more comfortable with.