Budget Mountain Bike

[pincher]

My son (14 but quite short for his age) wants to swap out his BMX for a Mountain Bike and has seen this Carrera in Halfords - http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/... but - right at the very top of his budget but I think he likes the idea of suspension and disc brakes

Firstly, are the Carreras any good and secondly, what else is out there that is comparable? Not particularly bothered about it being the very latest model but looking at something between £300-£350.

Edited by pincher on Monday 3rd April 12:12

[pincher]

To clarify, I kind of meant budget in that he doesn't have £1000 to spend on one, not that he is at the absolute arse-end £100 range.

[pincher]

2ky said:

What about something from Paul's cycles, they always seem to have good deals on older models:

https://www.paulscycles.co.uk/m1b0s2p0/Mountain-Bi...

Good shout - thanks. Just got to find something in a smaller frame now

[pincher]

TwilightJohnny said:

If he's a short 14-year old that will probably be too big for him at the moment.

It's a difficult age for buying a bike. Spend decent money on a bike that fits and he might grow out of it quickly. Maybe a second hand bike for now would be a better choice?

I totally agree with what you are saying but some of them do have smaller frames - will have to get down there and have a look at the weekend.

[pincher]

Nice idea but I can sense his impatience already - best I can hope for is getting a box-fresh one and straightening the handlebars with him

[pincher]

He ended up reigning in his budget and went for this - http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/mountain-bik... Not bad value at £250-odd

All very well have loads of upgraded components but In reality, he will use it for to-ing and fro-ing from football with his mates and a few trips through the local woods, so I think he has been quite sensible not spending all his money