Budget MTB?

champ222
champ222 Posts: 63
edited February 2019 in MTB buying advice
Hi all, i started a thread in the wrong section, and i cant seem to move it now.

So my wife wants a bike for her birthday, and has said she just needs a "cheap one". well i'm reluctant to go too cheap, as i want her to enjoy this, and if the bike is a bit rubbish and heavy and unreliable, it will likely be a complete waste of money as we will never use it.

So that being said, i cant spend a load of cash, and ive been looking around. there isnt much in the way of used bikes around my way at the moment (ive been given the ok to buy used) so ive looked at halfords, decathlon, and go outdoors (as well as various online shops) and wanted your opinion on the following

Any cycling will be away from the road, so a MTB makes sense to me. Out 1 year old will be on a seat on the top tube, so a suspension fork, even a rubbish one, will help reduce the bumps a bit. My wife is 5ft 5, so i'm thinking a 16" frame, or thereabouts should be ok. i'll likely follow the size guide of the manufacturer. i'm not thinking specifically about a ladies bike, unless i should be?

Carrera Valour Ladies:

https://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/ ... -18-frames

Which is currently £240/£250 but there is a 16" one in my local store on clearance for £216

There is the hellcat, which looks like a good deal, but i think she might find the 29" wheels a bit cumbersome

https://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/ ... -20-frames

The next up is the Vengence, which at £300, is a bit more than i want to spend.

or in decathlon:

there is the B,Twin ST100, which seems like a new numbering scheme, so may be a new model? it seemed ok in the shop, but maybe a bit too cheap at £180?

https://www.decathlon.co.uk/rockrider-s ... 00336.html

i could just about stretch to the ST520 @ £260

https://www.decathlon.co.uk/rockrider-s ... 60662.html

The ST540 is perhaps a bit much, even if it is on sale at £330


In Go Outdoors, there is the Calibre Rail that looks pretty good for £200?

https://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/calibre-ra ... ke-p446503

They also have a Forme Sterndale 2 for £250, but the smallest they do it a 17.5", which might be a bit big.

https://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/forme-ster ... ke-p449363

they do a womens version too, but at 14" and 17", but very little info, cant find it on the Forme website either

https://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/forme-ster ... ke-p449359

There is a Calibre Slab, which has 26" wheels (i was aiming for 27.5, only for convenience really as its the same size as mine) but seems pretty good for the cash. has XC32 forks cant see any sizing info on many of the calibres only "medium" Price is £250

https://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/calibre-sl ... ke-p446506

There is the Calibre Saw too:

https://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/calibre-sa ... ke-p414114

but at £300, its a bit more than i want to spend.



When i was researching my bike, i read that at the lower end of the market, the bigger chains and there house brands offer more bang for your buck so to speak. I'm happy to consider other options, you get the idea regarding prices.

Which would be the best way to go?

unless you know of another option around the £200 to £250 price range?

Thanks

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