Trying to recommend a complete bike for £500-800 to a friend.

This will be his first MTB but whether or not I/you think he should spend this much he probably will.

So with that in mind any recommendations for around this budget. I think it needs to be something suited to trail centres and mtb in S. Wales.

I’d say a 100mm or more fork and not too racy.

He’s a big fella at about 6’4″ so needs to be availible in a good range of sizes.

Ability to purchase on cycle to work scheme not essential but would be good.

Your suggestions please!

keppoch

New or second hand??

New.

Inbred.
Giant XTC.
Rockhopper.
Merlin MALT.
Some decent GT hardtails about.

Or get something pimpy secondhand.

COnks

You can’t go wrong with XTC or Rockhopper (nothing against the others).

Last time I looked Inbred stocks were zero.

The Merlin Malt has by far the best spec for the money, they were selling for “around” £550

Low price- 2008 Orange G2, High price -2008 Orange Evo8.

boardman hardtails from halfords are pretty good spec for the money – there’s a couple in that price range.

marin b17 (85-130 toras) or cheaper version (120mm suntour forks) look nice too.

my mums got a carrera, good value for the money, and the handling is spot on.

Thanks for the suggestions. The Merlins look good as do the Oranges.

To answer the Q about new or s/h – both are being considered.

Any others then speak up!

keppoch.

Genesis Core (alu.) or Altitude (Steel) higher end models come with 85-130mm Rockshox forks. (I think the aluminium RS recon one comes in around £800)

im sure this will go for less than £800 – looks a wgood setup:

Commencal Supernormal