it's not uncommon in HK to get a great frame/fork combo with ordinary drivetrain/groupset for under 2k.
I got a Kona Kula with RockShox Judy TT forks for $1500. sure, Judy TT are RS basic forks and the brakes are tektro, the shifters are basic rapid fires and the deralliuer is alivio or something as basic, but all this is much better than an unknown hire bike. It is a hard tail, but for that price dual suspension is cheap and nasty/heavy. (FYI the Kula in it's real outfit of deore and XT specs is worth about $1100US - the frame aint a cheapy, and looks and feels legit FWIW).
Go and buy one, shove 1 or 2 into the boot of a cab and go have some fun
I've only done a little trail rinding, but i reckon hardtails can do ok on most terrain. just a bit of a $hit going down stairs/rocky declines at speed as u can lose your chain. otherwise they're ok. better for hill climing IMHO than a a dual suspension, as u don;t lose as much momentum/power into the springs..
