Next door neighbour has asked me what mountain bike would be good at around the £300 budget. We have a halfords across the road which has this GT reduced to £300. I think it looks pretty good for the cash but just wondered if anyone has any other suggestions? It's an 8 speed setup but i don't think that's a problem for him.

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?mpe_id=63362&cm_cr=No+Campaign-_-Web+Activity-_-LJ+943431-_-PRODCAT_ESPOTCAROUSEL_165684-_-GT+Aggressor+XC+3+Mountain+Bike+09+18%22&catalogId=10151&evtype=CpgnClick&intv_id=131418&langId=-1&partNumber=943431&storeId=10001&ddkey=ClickInfo

I mentioned 2nd hand to him but get the feeling he'd prefer new.

Assuming the 18" frame as he's about 5'10".

Cheers

Looks pretty decent for £300. I don't personally like the look of GT hardtails (that little triangle at the junction of the seat stays and the top tube) but that's just cosmetic.

The Specialized Hardrock is a bit of a benchmark at that price so is also worth a look, however it's 21 speed and doesn't have disks.

Hardrock was my first proper bike and i still have it as i used it as a commuter for over 7000 miles.

Difficult to recommend a new rider vbrakes compared to discs these days though.

I mentioned hardrock to him but said it'd be more money for a lower spec.