I Don't Know Enough About Components to Select A Bike

Bubbles1956

I have a LandRider....Don't laugh, I LOVE it. However, I plan to do more serious bike riding this year. I mostly ride bike paths but some of them are pretty broken up. I like light trails, the parks have some sand and large roots, lol. Like I wrote, I mostly do paved trails and paths. I am going to Chicago in May and we want to ride the full bike path (around 118 miles each way) I have looked at bike shops and listed the components then came here for the reviews. I have such a headache trying to figure out if the components are even worth looking at anymore. I hear so much stuff from each bike shop, trying to get me to buy from them. I have looked at the bikes and like most of them but when I look up the components and reviews, they are not all so good. Personally, I like the IBEX Trophy 770 and the Woodstock 505. As luck would have it they compare about the same in the reviews I have read. Some have told me that the fork on the Woodstock is not as good as on the Trophy but am I even going to notice the difference? An why do I have to worry about the 505 being a 80mm travel vice the 85mm travel on the 770?
I am almost 50 years old and want to get out and enjoy life.....this research is not making this fun at all, lol.
I just want a bike that is sturdy, will take my 5 foot 11 inch body on a nice LONG bike ride and hold up.
Another problem from some manufacturers is you can only take that bike into their representatives for repair to keep the warranty at least with these two bikes, I don't have that problem....they are online stores. I keep hearing that I should buy from a local bike shop but they are so over priced when I start comparing components to the two I have narrowed my choice down. Any thoughts or words of help here?

Scotty_Dog

Both are very capable beginner mountain bikes.

I like the Ibex because it's a brand I know, has a better fork in my opinion(nothing to do with the 5mm difference), and has Shimano shifters and derailleurs (which I am more familiar with).

It boils down to a personal choice.