About bicycles

[DragonRider]

The components are a big part of that makes a good bike.

Brakes

Your best bet is to get Hydraulic Disk brakes. The stopping power and feel is superior to mechanical disk brakes and V-Brakes. Most bikes of your budget are equipped with Tektro or Magura or even ProMax. None of them are particularity good, in my opinion. Magura brakes tend to be good, but most bike shops don't sell parts for them. So if you wear out the pads or brake something - tough luck. Apart from that, Magura ain't a bad choice, given your budget.

Low to mid range Tektro are not good. I personally see them as the least good hydraulic brakes. Later models like Agura or Draco 2 are better but still.. Don't get Tektro if you can.

ProMax. No. In my experience no.

Your best bet is getting Shimano. Even middle class Shimano hydralics beat (almost) everything else. I've been using Shimano BR-M395 and I have nothing but great impressions. If you really want to go pro you can get the Shimano Deore, LX or XT series. However regular Shimano models, like mine, will still be a great choice.

Oh and a pro tip. Want to quickly tell apart regular from medium-high end hydraulic dick brakes?
http://i.imgur.com/hv01be8.jpg
Take a look at the space where your fingers lay. The general rule is, the least amount of finger space = better. Better models have room for 2 or 3 fingers. If you can fit 4 and still have room, that probably means its a low end model. Of course, this has exceptions. Some high end models have room for 4 fingers or more.

Gear Shifters

Shimano. Get Shimano. In particular, the Deore or LX, XT series.
Shimano Tourney, Acera, Alivio, Altus are a big no-go. The Deore series, combined with a good rear mech, shift like a charm and you'll love it. I use Shimano Deore SL-M591. Again. Great.

SRAM shifters are also good, But get those only if you want to RedBull levels of go pro.

Mechs/Derailleurs

Same as the shifters. Shimano Deore and nothing else.

Forks

Sr Suntour. Sometimes labeled as SR or Suntour. No. Don't. Just don't. Most are not up to par.

RockShock. Most good bike have these. This is the Shimano Deore of the forks. Look up the specific model you want and read up.

About forks, there are a few types. Spring, single air and dual air. Spring are the baseline type: 2 springs in each boot of the fork. Good for budget builds. If you want something better though, you can get a single or double air fork. The difference is not that much noticeable, in my opinion.

My fork is a RockShox Recon Silver TK solo air with 120mm travel. Great and fun fork.
On the subject of travel, it's how much the fork can go down. It doesn't really matter that much if you don't go jumping off ramps and what not. But even mine handles very well on beginner jumps. Most have 100-120mm travel. I wouldn't get a 80mm though.

This is pretty much the most important, parts wise. You can very well buy a avagare bike and build up on it.

Buy the cheapest quality hardtail frame and then buy parts from Chain Reaction Cycles and slap them on.

In the long run, you'll be happier.

I agree here. It will most likely get over your budget, but please don't buy a SR Suntour, Shimano Acera and Tektro equipped bike. You'll be selling in a year or two.

Keep in mind most of what I say here is opinionated, based on experience. I regularly test out bikes and I can tell the difference.

Also, I know you said you would't want a used bike, but take a look here:
http://olx.ro/oferta/bicileta-cube-xms-1...ef7b929631

If not, look around OLX.ro. We have the same site here in Bulgaria and one can find a high end bike for the same price as a new low end bike. But really, it's up to you.