Which MTB

Hi,
I was hoping you guys would be able to offer me some advice.
I am looking for decent bikes for the kids (Boy 12 and Girl 11) that will grow with them. My son is getting into MTB and could do with something pretty hard wearing. Daughter is more sedate. Both are very tall, so am looking at small adults bikes for them rather than kids bikes. Been looking at:
For my son
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_810645_langId_-1_categoryId_165499
or
http://www.decathlon.co.uk/rockrider-500-mountain-bike-id_8293150.html
For my daughter
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_810663_langId_-1_categoryId_165499
Any other options you guys would advise in the up to £300 bracket please?
I was hoping you guys would be able to offer me some advice.
I am looking for decent bikes for the kids (Boy 12 and Girl 11) that will grow with them. My son is getting into MTB and could do with something pretty hard wearing. Daughter is more sedate. Both are very tall, so am looking at small adults bikes for them rather than kids bikes. Been looking at:
For my son
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_810645_langId_-1_categoryId_165499
or
http://www.decathlon.co.uk/rockrider-500-mountain-bike-id_8293150.html
For my daughter
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_810663_langId_-1_categoryId_165499
Any other options you guys would advise in the up to £300 bracket please?
0
Posts
Ghost - http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/ghos ... -prod81696
Ghost is a good brand and a there's good discount so worth a look.
Coyote - http://www.rutlandcycling.com/256087/pr ... wgodmK8AcA
Great value for money including hydraulic disc brakes and 27 gears.
(Both unisex)
The bikes you picked out are ok. But this one is better and discounted to come within your budget
http://www.decathlon.co.uk/rockrider-53 ... 06682.html
Fair I thought.
If your aiming at more gentle trails then it is less of a worry. So for example the size S Rockrider is 14.4 kg (nearly 32 lbs) without pedals... so I'd be more than happy to ride it, but I think my 12 year old would struggle to take it up a big climb.
My lad is on an XS (13.5") Rockhopper which cost £230 from eBay... with a 50mm stem and narrow flat bars it is a good fit. As he was too light to get much out of the (pretty decent) Dart 3 forks, I just fitted some 100m Rebas (another £150) so now it's a great bike. As he grows we can change stem and bars - and then at some point we'll be looking at a new frame.
Giant Anthem X4 (2010) GT Avalanche 1.0 (2010)
Kingley Vale and QECP Trail Collective - QECP Trail Building
@James68 - The Coyote looks great value, its a shame they dont ship it assembled. I can do basic maintenance, but never done a full setup before and the last time i mucked about with gears it went a bit wrong!
I know that you can spend lots of money on these things, but is spending a bit more and going for the Calibre 2.2 or ROckrider 520 a better option in the long run?
My son was on an Islabikes Beinn 26 S until I built up the Rockhopper. The Rockhopper is a heavier bike, even with the new forks (it's about 26lbs I think)... but it is much more capable downhill, and that's why we made the move.
Islabikes do a kids HT which looks lovely - but they are £700.
Giant Anthem X4 (2010) GT Avalanche 1.0 (2010)
Kingley Vale and QECP Trail Collective - QECP Trail Building
http://www.buyabike.co.uk/bikes/base-bikes-rock-fighter-26-hardtail-mountain-bike-disc-brakes-front-suspension.html
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Parktools
Not to mention heavy rims (V-Brake surfaces despite coming with disk brakes), steel cranks and old internal bottom bracket.