MTB £500 or under recommendations

Hi.  So the teenager has outgrown the Frog 72 bike and needs a medium adult bike.  He doesn’t use it that often so don’t want to spend a fortune but looking for the best 27.5 bike for under £500 – or no more than £500 and ideally not too heavy.  I looked at Specialized rockhoppers but they’re £600.  Thanks.

Edit:  I know we should go to a shop and try some but live out in the sticks and have always ordered online before and been happy!

Second hand is the way to go here if you want something decent

Had a quick glance around at all the usual suspects and a bit underwhelmed with your choices. Especially with the 27.5” wheel requirement. £600 is where your options on 29er really start with the voodoo bizango. Anything with a Suntour coil fork should be avoided as they’re often terrible.

The Vitus Nucleus was the choice before CRC went into meltdown – cane with a 32mm stanchion Suntour air fork.

So personally I’d look secondhand – it’s a buyers market out there so £500 should get you a decent frame / 1x drivetrain / air fork / hydraulic discs / tubeless wheels.

A quick glance at Facebook marketplace and there are loads of Vitus Sentiers about in budget. Some with the marzocchi z2 fork even. Just have to find the 27.5 version (there was also a 29er version) and the right size.

You may find a Sonder Transmitter in budget if you look around.

https://www.facebook.com/share/GRDDbCjeiUtAXFwp/?mibextid=79PoIi

If you’re lucky you might find a Ribble ht725 in budget (or close to it)

https://www.facebook.com/share/aiUBJjLfhQWMiwtE/?mibextid=79PoIi

https://www.facebook.com/share/xWmf7Wq8pw1t7VCh/?mibextid=79PoIi

Giant Trance for 350 or offers in Blackpool. It’s a lower model, but cheap and doesn’t look very used. (Nowt to do with me, just browsing for my teens next bike)

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/405109815787?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=0oy7d6xqq8a&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=YiMHrpgJSN2&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

At least enter the 502 draw, you never know.

Nukeproof Scout on Pinkbike – no dropper and basic fork, but a decent base to build on

NP Scout

Thanks – looking at all these

Second hand is the way to go here if you want something decent

This.

Eg these – they are local, took 5 mins to find, none seem scammy.

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/466450703025854/

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1515437392520963/

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/376594265462197/

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1065825855141481/

Go outdoors have reduced their prices.

Think they have an extra 15% off with code SAVE15.

https://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/cycling/bikes/mountain-bikes/