£500-600 Mountain bike for a newby

[brianb]

Hi all, I’m looking for a little advice for a replacement bike following the theft of my old one,

My insurance have paid out only £500, over which should have been named as a valuable item, I don’t mind adding a little of my own cash to this providing it’s worth it

With this in mind I need a replacement from the below shop, the bikes I have linked are ones that look ok to be however as mentioned I really am not up to speed with what’s hot or not

https://www.wheelies.co.uk/shop/p109269/Specialize...
https://www.wheelies.co.uk/shop/p112278/Scott-Aspe...
https://www.wheelies.co.uk/shop/p109247/Specialize...
https://www.wheelies.co.uk/shop/p109254/Specialize...

The bike will have a removable child seat bolted to the back for my son and will mainly be used for taking him out for a ride with the occasional off road trip on the moors/hills, certainly nothing too extreme

Is there any stand out bikes on here for under £600

[The_Jackal]

The spec on all those is abysmal, you are paying purely for the Specialized and Scott name.
Acera and Altus are the lowest end of equipment. Also none of them have an air fork I think.

The new boardman hardtail is £650 and comes with an air fork (this will be the most noticeable upgrade) and Deore gears.
https://www.boardmanbikes.com/gb_en/products/2187-...

[brianb]

Appreciate the advice however I’m stuck with using the above merchant as the insurance have issued my with a credit not for them

Anything on there site that could be recommended? In reality anything will feel like an upgrade to the battered old Carrera it’s replacing

Cheers

[V8RX7]

brianb said:

Appreciate the advice however I’m stuck with using the above merchant as the insurance have issued my with a credit not for them

Anything on there site that could be recommended? In reality anything will feel like an upgrade to the battered old Carrera it’s replacing

Cheers

I'd ask the Ins Co, it might be too late now but when I had stuff (including a bike) stolen I was given a choice of a credit note or a cheque

[The_Jackal]

It's a bit dodgy them specifying the shop, as that really restricts you replacing exactly what you lost.
Surely Ins Cos should issue a cheque, not have some cosy deal with a particular shop.

Just had a quick flick through some of them and the Cannondale Trail 5 and the GT Avalanche seems to have air forks and Deore gears. Both about £650

Edited by The_Jackal on Wednesday 16th May 01:16

[Sk00p]

pretty decent spec for the money £625

https://www.wheelies.co.uk/shop/p110621/Merida-Big...

Air forks, XT rear mech and Deore parts

Edited by Sk00p on Wednesday 16th May 11:07