Hi all, I used to ride both road bikes and mountain bikes when I was a teenager, then I took a nasty spill fracturing both wrists and after that I just grew apart from cycling. But since going back to the gym and a new weight loss lifestyle change I realized I do love cycling. (I bike every time I am at the gym and it's the only time I truly enjoy the workout.) No bike currently but I am looking at a Giant Trance X3 I will be replacing the tires with some more green way friendly tires as living in Raleigh, NC we have a ton of green ways and several are within walking distance from where we live. But here are some questions for you. My plan for my riding at first is to lose weight. Currently I am 6'3" and 340 (down from 400 less than 9 months ago). I am definitely looking at a mountain bike as road bikes really aren't my game and won't be at least for the foreseeable future. I would prefer to go with a full suspension bike due to the fact that once I hit closer to my goal weight I will start doing more trail riding and start hitting some fo the actual wilderness paths around here. My biggest questions arise from two debates. 1) 26" vs 29". I get different stories depending which store I go to. The one I trust and know has a great reputation tells me 26" as it will give me a better rise in the long run with what I want to do. Where as my father-in-law was told 29" so that way I won't feel the bumps as much. 2) Horizontal vs Vertical rear suspension. Any insight into this will help. I know it will require me trying out both and seeing what I am comfortable with, but I was wanting to get some preliminary advice. Thanks all!