Good Mountain Bike for £300 - £350? Scott Aspect Series Any Good?

MrDanielPrice
MrDanielPrice Posts: 12
edited September 2016 in MTB buying advice
Hi, guys,

Looking for opinions on a good, solid mountain bike for a beginner (started riding a few months ago and currently only have a crap £30 bike I bought off Gumtree).

My budget is £300, but could stretch to £350 if warranted.

I've been looking at Halford's Carrera Vengeance and Vulcan, as well as Scott's Aspect series of bikes (though I've been told the Scott Aspect 770 should be avoided like the plague). Any recommendations for a good bike within my budget range?

I won't be riding trails or doing tricks or jumps or anything, just riding about on the path, roads (on very rare occasions, when absolutely necessary) and some dirt/gravel/grass and getting me from A to B.

Thanks in advance for any thoughts, opinions and insights you're able to offer.