List of OTP singlespeed mountain bikes

As someone who has never really mtn biked before I am starting to think along the same lines. In fact, I'm wondering if the best value for money, most fun/versatile intro to mtn biking would an otp hardtail, geared, disc braked, aluminium framed bike. Much as I like the idea/look of a steel, SS, fully rigid bike, I just think I risk limiting myself unnecessarily. Also, I don't find speed entirely independent from fun, so if I feel a bike is causing me to slow up because of its limitations I find it frustrating. Plus something like a SS Inbred would cost about the same anyway.

The suspension forks on low priced OTPs are often nasty though, and would possibly need upgrading anyway.

I would'nt say running a singlespeed slows you down as such. It depends on the terrain. But if you have long flat sections, then the low gearing needed for technical bits, gets spinny quite quickly.

The simpler a bike you buy, the better the components should be for a certain price point.

Not sure of your budget but these would be decent buys (IMHO).
Merlin OTP with deore groupset and Rockshox Tora fork
£699

The Scandal Comp from On-one, has a very similar spec for £680