For my mates 15 year old kid. Get him something decent without breaking the bank . £500+ or so. Suggestions appreciated. Cheers.

Knock yourself out

I use a Trek X-Calber 7 with groups, lovely bike and it’s a 29er so rolls on natural trails well. £500.

http://www.trekbikes.com/gb/en_GB/bikes/mountain-bikes/cross-country-mountain-bikes/x-caliber/x-caliber-7/p/2040600-2016/

Voodoo bizango can be had for less than that new – half sensible air sprung forks, decent drivetrain, good quality frame

Pinnacle ramin

Bizango is excellent vfm

Bizango. Spend £20 on British Cycling membership for 10% off at Halfords.

Bizango is outrageously good, it could sell for over a grand if it was a cool brand. The tyres are a bit summery, though, so it’d be wise to budget for a replacement quality front.

Cube aim £449

Decathlon rockrider 560?

http://www.decathlon.co.uk/rockrider-560-mountain-bike-275-white-blue-green-id_8364732.html

I got me a Bizango earlier this year (one for the grammer pedants there! 😉 ).
It’s been excellent, had a few thrashings around the Peak District, Dalby red and Cannock reds and never put a foot wrong in terms of durability and capability.
It’s brought me back in to mountain bikings after a 12 year hiatus and I feel more confident now than I ever did on my old Trek 4500 (’99).

Review on bikes like this in this month’s MBUK.

Cheers folks, will pass on to my mate to look into.

We have 4 of these in work, they can be picked up for less than £500, I’ve taken one accross Dartmoor and Cardinham fine.

http://www.diamondback.co.uk/MTB/Product/?pc=1&pt=10&pg=14287

Cheers, Steve