Cheap bike recommendation please

[Zippee]

My sister in law is wanting to buy my brother an MTB for Christmas. Trouble is she has a very small budget of about £180. Knowing I’ve always been into my bikes she’s asked me for advice on what to get.
Trouble is it’s like asking me what shopping car to buy when I’m into sports cars – I have no idea.
I’m assuming at that price suspension of any form should be avoided?
Any thoughts? I’ve looked on Evans etc at the outgoing 206 models but even the bottom end ones of those are out of her price range.

[Usget]

Decathlon are the go-to answer for "bikes which are better than they should be given the price".

Obviously for that kind of money you're not going to want to take this to the Alps, but it looks half decent: http://www.decathlon.co.uk/rockrider-520-mountain-...

(At 15kg, though, I hope he doesn't live at the bottom of a hill)

[loudlashadjuster]

Assuming it needs to be new, the go-to for lower-end MTBs seems to be Decathlon and amazingly (to me anyway) they do a bike at £160 that doesn't seem to be absolutely dreadful (gripshift excepted) so would appear to fit the bill.

https://www.decathlon.co.uk/rockrider-340-mountain...

On the face of it it's got a very similar spec. (components, weight etc.) to the cheapest branded bike from the likes of Specialized at about half the price.

At this price point though I'd just say that a little extra cash can buy a lot so it might be worth seeing what is around for a just a little bit more. That Rockrider 520 that Usget posted (he beat me to it!), for example, or this:

http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/m1b0s2p5291/MONGOOSE-...

It might be worth checking your local Halfords too as each store sometimes has end of line bikes at good prices.

Just stay away from anything from Argos, Sports Direct etc.

Edited by loudlashadjuster on Friday 4th November 15:34

[Zippee]

Thanks guys - unfortunately they don't have a lot of cash so budget is pretty tight. I have recommended 2 from Halfords;
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/...
&
http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/hybrid-bikes...

I hadn't thought of Decathlon and that B'Twin looks very good value for £160. I doubt very much my brother will be truly going off-road so a Hybrid would suit just as well as an MTB I think

[Usget]

Actually if you/she are anywhere near Gloucestershire you'd be welcome to buy mine, I'm selling it soon! 2014 Carrera Kraken, bog standard (Suntour XCR 120mm fork, SRAM x4 drivetrain, heavy basic wheels, Conti 2.2" tyres) except for awesome XT brakes and a Hope QR seatpost clamp. Some scrapes here and there, but not crashed. Yours (hers) (ultimately his) for £160.