I loved the "hydraulic brakes are different and hard to maintain"... that's changed in the last few years, they're now common, reliable, and plug'n'play. I have been fitting them to my bikes as upgrades because for under $100 you get a lever+caliper that will just work forever. Pad replacement with disks is no harder than on rim brakes, and with hydros you have to replace them less often ... and they work better. I haven't bled bydro brakes for at least 10 years.
The exception is if you have drop bars, because hydraulic brakes are still kinda new there. But if you're looking at beginner guides you should have drop bars anyway.
The exception is if you have drop bars, because hydraulic brakes are still kinda new there. But if you're looking at beginner guides you should have drop bars anyway.