Budget bike is a completely acceptable way to start. If you like it enough to stay with it, save up for a nicer bike next year (if you need to save…) If you go Full-suspension, my personal rec is to not bother unless you are willing to spend $2K or more. Giant and a few others make bikes in the $1500 range, but the difference in quality and performance for another $500 – $1k is huge. Keep the old bike for muddy days or a loaner/back-up. Nice to have a bike handy if you have a friend that wants to ride while visiting from out of town, etc…