Newbie of sorts

gazza2271

Hi all

Not had a mountain bike for a good few years now would say about 10,but need and really want to get back into it. I live about 20nins from the Malvern hills,so once fitness is up to it will be using this to ride on. Also the forest of Dean is not to far away from me so again will go here.

I only have a max budget of £300 I know this really is not a big budget but it's all I can spare with other commitments at the moment.

So anyone help me out with a good base model to start with did go to halfords today and looked at this one looms and felt nice bike but I know it's no the best around so after some advice if you can please

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stor ... reId=10001

Steve-XcT

Hard to say for £300

Bear in mind that a good set of forks is 3x that .. but take look at the Sub £500 Vitus and sub £750 Whyte and then I'd look for a good used one for £300... e.g.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vitus-Nucleu ... SwFSxaOlbf

£3 below ..
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/WHYTE-605-XC ... Sw-jFaGXTu

a bit over at £350
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Whyte-629-20 ... 0009.m1982

These are all pretty decent. I've hired the 605 a couple of times and its a really nice bike for that money.
If you can stretch to £450 then the 2015 model here (brand new)
https://www.winstanleysbikes.co.uk/prod ... _Mens_Bike

davidradar

Seriously get a 2nd hand bike. Go to your local race club and ask if anyone is selling a cheap bike. Racers always want new bikes and maintain them to a high standard (some have 2 or 3 at home so they may sell you an older one). As they are enthusiasts they may even help you do it up or throw in a few spares. Plus they would like potential new members. Give it a go, you will definately get your money's worth