bike ... a refurbished Diamondback Racer with Bomber shocks, full suspension, and upgraded shifters/handlebars/seat for $400. I took it out with the young men the other day on a ride, and loved it.
If not in Provo, that would be my recommendation for a first bike ... find a bike shop and look at their refurbished bikes for a good value purchase and you can talk to them about why this or that bike is great.