Ratty, if you are mainly in it for the fun, I would seriously consider a duallie. If you're a "win at all cost" racer, then look for the most expensive hardtail you can afford!! Jokes aside, look at non-woman specific as well as they are sometimes just as good depending on your body shape. My new fav brand is Commencal and the Meta 4 is a really great duallie, in fact the Elite Mens Provincial was won on one a few weeks ago. A Dual suspension will give you more fun on that singletrack, but may be heavier, therefore you sacrifice some of your climbing ability. The best advice I got when shopping around: try as many bikes as possible, as preferably real riding, not around the parking lot. I was convinced after riding the Meta 5.5 for an hour on singletrack. Also, the Giant's seem very nice and a lot of people rave about them
