There are two types of wannabie cyclists.
1. Those who want to ride around Bishan Park at a leisurely pace so they can smell the roses, get some fresh air, a bit of exercise and then a coffee shop stopover on the way home.
2. Those who want to ride the trails at Bukit Timah hill or MacRitchie and imagine themselves doing bunny hops over potholes and tree roots.
For 1, I recommend a commuter bike. Nobbly tyres on mountain bikes are hard going on footpaths and smooth surfaces plus they are hopeless when it comes to handling wet surfaces. Suspension isn't necessary and you'd be wasting your money buying a full suspension or even a hard tail model.
For 2, I'd recommend getting the best bike that you can afford. Otherwise, you'll be disappointed once your fitness and skill levels improve and you'll end up spending more money upgrading.
This isn't the best forum for discussing cycling. There are loads of forums dedicated to the sport. Do a search. Most sinkie cyclists hang out at
http://www.togoparts.com
