I’m looking for a new hardtail mountain bike for my mother, max budget £500.

Important bits:
– £500 max
– Bike for trail riding and 25k Meridas
– Light bike
– Fork that will move with her using it (slow and non-agressive rider), ideally air
– Not full suspension
– No gimmicks
– Reasonable quality bits that will last a few years
– Probably looking for 16-17″

She currently rides a 1999ish Orange Gringo but since the gears need repairing and the fork doesn’t move for her I think replacement may be the better route, I also think a Womes specific frame might benefit her with a shorter top tube.

Does anything beat these:

Kona Lisa HT £480

Specialize Myka Elite 2010 £499

This was posted a few days ago 16″ frame
Giant XTC3.5 2007

Looks fab for the money.

More ladies MTBs here

Looks fab for the money but weighs a ton.

not good for ladies to ride a ton weight bike tbh

Why would the giant weigh a ton? Same frame was used in their higher spec HT’s of that & previous years. Ok Tora’s aren’t light weight but they’ll be comparable to the Darts on the Myka. That said I bought my g/f a myka, and she loves it (it has tora forks though). Though the woman specific sizing made that a easy choice for us

mts TJ has a Myka – seems a very nice bike and the small levers and fork set up is good.

Thanks for these, it is looking like the Myka is a front runner. I also have a friend with this frame who has got on well with it so sounds good.

Still interested in any other suggestions though.

Thanks.

Because I had one then sold it.

a TON literally!

My other half has got a Myka and similarly loves it. It’s got a Tora Coil fork though, but they are re-sprung for ‘womens’ weight (whatever that is).

I think hers is the 2008 – silver with butterflies all over it if that kind of thing’s important?