any good quality steel fram bike will work fine...it maybe a bit *heavier* than aluminum, but it's stronger and the ride quality is better(in my opinion).

I ride a Kona hardtail with front suspension and shock absorbing seatpost...I'm a very *hard* rider...I just bully my way through the woods...point is, don't obsess over the weight of the bike...just concentrate on getting comfortable(with the bike). My bike is a *tank* compared to a lot of the guys I ride with(fully suspended bikes)...in many cases, it's not your *ride* that makes the difference...it's the rider. Best of luck...cheers!