Under £500 bike?

gaff3rs1234

Ok so your probably thinking, there is loads of topics and even bikeradars own page giving advice on under £500 trail/xc bikes. But reading them never seems to actually help me so I am going to ask a bunch of enthusiastic cyclists that will give ME a answer.
I am looking at a bike that will take a battering and last a long time, but as far as components go, I would LIKE decent drivetrain, hydro discs, decent fork but under £500 you have to compromise, so pretty much any advice on a good bike under £500. Is it better to buy a good quality bike with slightly lower spec, eg specialised hardrock, or grab a deal off wiggle or crc? There is such a wide range of bikes that I'm a bit overwhelmed and don't really know what to get. Size wise I'm 5"6 and as I said I would like the bike to last so 17 or 18" frame size. I am a beginner and will probably end up upgrading the bike as I progress as a MTBer. Final thing my parents have said no, quite forcefully to second hand deals or eBay, unless they are from a trusted shop or website. It would be appreciated if I could try some if the bikes and I live in the stanmore area, if anybody knows any good shops.

Thanks

curtaincarot

I am buying a GT avalanche from Evans, they have it listed for £460 but luckaly they will match the price of wiggle.com who sell it for £410. So what ever bike you buy I would personaly buy it from evans, just double check that the bike isn't cheaper some where else from the list of shops they will price match from.

tl;dr find the bike you want on evans and price match it for a lower price.

cooldad

Carrera or Rockrider

supersonic

As above: try the Rockrider 8.1. I see no compromises at all. If it fits, yout can't go wrong.

Pudseyp

^ THIS

You will be hard pushed to find a better spec bike for the money.