Family friends have asked me if this is any good:
[url= http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/mountain-bikes/apollo-evade-mens-mountain-bike ]http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/mountain-bikes/apollo-evade-mens-mountain-bike[/url]
Obviously the answer is NOOOO but having had a look at other options and checking the usual places (Pauls, Winstanleys, Bike Bargains etc) I can't find anything. It will be used a "teenage" bike" - i.e. pedalling around town, getting left outside etc. no need for shit suspension. They aren't well off and absolute max budget is £150 (I know!)
I don't really want to recommend 2nd hand in case they buy a dog but think it might be the only option. Any other bargains out there for a good basic bike?
http://www.decathlon.co.uk/rockrider-300-mountain-bike-id_8284495.html
Or they some front suss MTB's for £160, http://www.decathlon.co.uk/rockrider-340-mountain-bike-orange-id_8302232.html
Yeah, the Decathlon ones are probably the best for "an bike".
3rd Decathlon, they're about as good as you'll find for that budget.
For £119 I think the Decathlon is the definitely the best value you can get.
If it was me, I'd go with this:
http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/hybrid-bikes/carrera-parva-mens-hybrid-bike
Unless they're doing serious off-road, I think this will be more suitable than a similarly priced MTB with rubbish suspension.
Then I'd haggle to get the price under budget, by arguing about how much it will save them to sell it in the box to me to assemble it myself. You should be able to get more than £9 off. You'll also probably end up with it assembled right, which you may well not from Halfrauds (experience of several friends of my local branch is they are dangerously incompetent - pedal fell off/brake blocks rubbing tyre, stem bolts not to correct torque). Can you assist them with this?
I suspect the biggest issue you'll have buying a bike at this price range is that the shops selling them will be absolutely clueless on sizing, and this is much more important than what bike they buy. Can you give them a hand with this?
Get. A. Full. Rigid.
...Is all I can usefully add.
That Decathlon looks fine, or spend a bit more & go for the Carrera option.
To be honest, the Decathlon will more than likely be a perfectly good bike for getting around on.
I bought an Apollo from Halfords years ago when I was at uni & it was brilliant. Only thing that ever failed on it was a rear mech, due to a branch flicking up & bending it.
I did many many miles on it commuting to uni, going on evening rides with friends, took it to Germany when I lived over there for six months and rode it almost daily there.
It got nicked in my final year at uni - bit gutted when it went.
Thanks all for the input - that decathlon looks a good option