MTB for 14 year old...

[UpTheIron]

The lad has decided he would like Santa to bring him a new bike this year.

Any MTB, will be used mainly for riding to/from school, hanging around with his mates and probably some very light trails. Whilst a hybrid would be best suited for most of that, he wants suspension (hardtail is fine).

A medium size adult bike is what I'm looking at - he's had a go on my Cannondale F2000SL so the expectation has perhaps been set a little high .

He is happy with getting a better, used bike than new or I can get a good discount (50% up to £500 max) at Evans via my health insurance.

Are any bargains lurking out there? Man maths quickly finds me looking at used £500 all carbon bikes on eBay. After all it will fit me too . Quite happy to spend less though!

Additionally he is going to need a decent lock to stop it/bits of it going walkies. Any recommendations?

[CrgT16]

I would go aluminium instead of carbon at that price range. The Vitus Nucleus VR comes highly rated at this range.

[Craikeybaby]

CrgT16 said:

I would go aluminium instead of carbon at that price range. The Vitus Nucleus VR comes highly rated at this range.

This. I have a Vitus Nucleus and rate it.

[Gareth79]

Also I'd think an aluminium frame will be more tolerant to being bashed around/abused, which is going to happen more at that age.

[opieoilman]

Calibre from Gooutdoors are worth looking at. I have their Bossnut V2 full suspension, but some of the hardtails look good for the money, they have another 10% off at the moment and as they are a less well known brand, they might be less attractive to thieves.

https://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/cycling/bikes/mountai...

Halfords have 20% off the Voodoo Hoodoo and Bizango at the moment and they look like decent bikes.