Originally Posted by
Darth Lefty
$1000 is a tough ask for a decent mountain bike any more. You are looking at something with maybe no dropper and a really compromised suspension fork.
+1
I would rather ride a rigid hybrid than a hardtail mtb with a crappy low end suspension fork. They don’t work very well and weigh a ton. Unfortunately a hardtail mtb with a quality lightweight suspension fork will blow past your budget. To be honest, for the sort of riding you describe, you probably don’t need a mountain bike. A fully rigid frame with decent tyres will take you quite far off road.