Midrange-ish hardtail

Whichever discounted Ragley from Chiggle they like the look of most: https://www.wiggle.com/b/ragley?index=n&categoryNames=Bikes&sortBy=priceAsc

Assuming they have £750 and a credit card for protection, your friend could go a lot worse than buying this Ragley Marley 1.0 from CRC for £699
https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/p/ragley-marley-1-0-hardtail-bike-dark-blue

Or this Ragley Mmmbop 2.0 for £699
https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/p/ragley-mmmbop-2-0-hardtail-bike-silver

Or for an extra £50, this Ragley Mmmbop 1.0 (better forks and drivetrain so worth the extra cash in my opinion)
https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/p/ragley-mmmbop-1-0-hardtail-bike-parma-violet

As above.

Massively distorted market at the moment.

The Nukeproof Scouts are also heavily discounted, with the 29ers and 27.5ers at the same prices.

As for the Bizango, the seat tubes are very long, but you would at least get a frame warranty over a Chiggle bike.

In the current situation I'd go for the Ragley Marley 1.0 above if I were your friend.

It's a better all rounder than the MmmBop IMO.

If they run out, I've yet to meet someone who's bought an Voodoo Bizango and been disappointed with it, although it does need a dropper fitting.

Mentioned before but once you apply the 10% code these Clockwork's seem decent value at £720.

https://www.sunsetmtb.co.uk/shop/index.php?product_id=11487&category_id=21

Vitus Sentier VR from CRC also worth a look. Has 11 speed with a wider range than the Ragleys, but the same fork:
https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/p/vitus-sentier-29-vr-mountain-bike?color=black&sizeStandard=m&utm_source=google&utm_term=&utm_campaign=CRC_UK_GGL_PMX_SMA_MAN_MIX_Bikes+Only_NA_NA_NA_TIER4_NA_NA_Newstructure&utm_medium=base&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAx_GqBhBQEiwAlDNAZtfDn26yv7ZdLQU22JgkERI503QWyZcE5q_0PIFO-rU5ANYCm7xFLRoCaTsQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Or the VRS 29 if he needs an XL frame and can run to £804 - gets a Fox 34 Rhythm and 12 speed deore instead of 11 speed. The 27.5” wheel version has the same spec I think but more sizes available:

https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/p/vitus-sentier-29-vrs-mountain-bike

Mentioned before but once you apply the 10% code these Clockwork’s seem decent value at £720.

Judy silver forks on that compared to what’s on offer with ragley, vitus, nukeproof or even the bizango…

Hard to ignore the ragley bikes given a lot of people seem to want more for their second hand bikes

why is the marley better than the mmmbop?
why doesnt the blue pig get a mention?

why is the marley better than the mmmbop?<br />why doesnt the blue pig get a mention?

Probably simply because it's more of an all rounder and not as aggro as the mmmbop.

Blue Pig is decent by all acounts, but will be about 3lb heavier

Or for an extra £50, this Ragley Mmmbop 1.0 (better forks and drivetrain so worth the extra cash in my opinion)
https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/p/ragley-mmmbop-1-0-hardtail-bike-parma-violet

Just to follow up on this,

His Mmmbop 1.0 arrives today and he asked me to pass on his thanks.

That's one hell of a bike for the money isn't it.

That's a fantastic bargain, my lad has the MmmBop also, they're a lovely frame to begin with, but all that spec for 750 is outrageous

What's his budget? Is it up to £750?
As your his friend you need to pursuade him to spend more money 😂

Personally I like the on one scandal but I don't like sram. With a 10% discount code for new customers they might come in on budget depending on what this week's rrp is.

So I'd be looking at what ever bike is in his budget with good old dependable 10 or 11 speed deore gears and a half decent fork. Wheels and tyres etc can be upgraded later if he gets into it.

Don't think you can go wrong with a ragley or a nukeproof scout. For a hardtail I'd suggest 29er with clearance for 2.6 tyres rather than a 650b unless they are short.

With prices as good as they are they might be able to buy a frame and build it up but that would probably end up with you building it. So maybe off the peg is better.

Edit: some ex display scandals for £600. As they don't display bikes anymore I'm guessing these are customer returns. Still a bargain and I think you can upgrade the Judy fork for a price and add a dropper.

https://www.planetx.co.uk/products/on-one-scandal-sram-sx-mountain-bike-large-blue-abyss-2?currency=GBP&variant=43837864444134&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=Google%20Shopping&stkn=d630251700e8&tw_source=google&tw_adid=&tw_campaign=20582082478&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIoOr756GAgwMVlq3tCh2Q2wvXEAQYASABEgLIhvD_BwE

For £750-£799 (whichever price he paid) that is exceptional kit these days.
Yari / deore 12 speed / ok wheels / finishing kit / 4 pot brakes etc.
Where a lot of other brands are serving up deore 10 speed or worse / Judy or Suntour air forks / poor wheels and tyres etc.