Osco sounds like you are comparing your spark to a $600 full suspension bike from bikesdirect which would be crap from anybody. Nothing that cost more than that will come with mechanical brakes anymore. I'm not big on BD's full suspension bikes either but their new HAL6 line is their most up to date looking and is pretty impressive.
http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...tain-bikes.htm
That is a lot of bike for $1600. Their $2k version looks even better.
Anyway a new rider doesn't need a 150mm+ travel bike and the Giant is a great bike.