New Beginner Bike Dilemma

Gavvo

Hello all, I've decided to get into cycling properly as a hobby after giving up on my non-existent DJ career. Not only will I be commuting 11 miles per day but also riding around local forest trails on a weekend...or so that's my intentions. I don't have a lot of money to start out (About £350) so I'd preferably like to buy second hand to get as much bike as I can for my money. I know £350 isn't a great deal but I've done some haggling and looking about and I've came up with a few ideas. I can have a local 2007 Specialized Stumpjumper Expert for little under my budget and use it as it is or I've been looking at a 2011 Merida Matts Trail 300 with a set of Fox Float 29 forks for £200, which will free up £150 to change the frame and possibly add 29er wheels?
I've seen other bikes that I like, one being a 2012 Orbea Alma H50 29er, which I LOVE the look of, but I can't get in touch with the bloke from Gumtree.

Any other suggestions please? I don't mind either hardtail or full suspension but if it's a hardtail I'd prefer 29" wheels and something that can hold a 17 stone blokey.

Cheers in advance?

Also, would a 29" rear wheel fit on the Matts frame?

The Rookie

You won't get a 29" wheel into a 26" frame, 27.5 yes (usually) 29 no.

Antm81

Try look for a voodoo bizango second hand. Very well regarded 29er that's won plenty of awards, good spec and you may just get one in your budget

Gavvo

I completely disregarded your expert advice, Ant (assuming your name is Ant, if not, apologies lol) and travelled a 100 mile round trip to pick up this...



I fell in love with it and having previously owned an Enduro Elite from 2 years later, I had to have it. Got it for £5 petrol and £300!