Mate is looking to buy a big gate – 22"-23" Hardtail for about £400-£500. I thought he'd have his pick on sites like Pauls Cycles – where should this fella with be looking?

anything by
giant
trek
specialized…..that would be my choice…hardrock
kona
merida.
big names, big value.

What he said. Big brands tend to do their lower specced bikes in big sizes for some strange reason.

A Hardrock or Rockhopper (maybe a tad too expensive) would be good as they come in 23" sizes. If he's very tall though i'd suggest looking at 29ers although the choice will be far smaller.

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/specialized/hardrock-comp-disc-2010-mountain-bike-ec019398

Cheap 29er?

db Absinthe

Absinthe is only 18" or 20" and he wants bigger.

Very big 29ers don't seem easy to find cheap – i know because i was looking at getting another cheap one to singlespeed.

If he's anywhere near Brum he's be welcome to try my fleet which includes 22" & 23" 29ers and 21" & 22" 26ers.

Carrera fury from Halfords

I wasa over taken by one a few weeks back

this review looks promising as well

http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/bikes/mountain/product/fury-10-35495