Mountain bike recommendation for please

[PH5121]

I'm considering getting my son a new bike for his birthday (12 next week), he's currently got an XS sized Specialized Hardrock disc which he has had for a couple of years and which he's just about out grown.

I've been looking at bikes in the £300 - £400 range, and have seen a bike at Go Outdoors, a Calibre Two Cubed which is currently £329.00.

I've also looked at Halfords at the Carrera and Voodoo offerings and a local bike shop at a Specialized Pitch.

The Calibre seems well specced for the money with hydraulic discs and a Rockshock fork. It also seems to get decent reviews.

Any other suggestions on bikes to consider in this price range? Or opinions on the Two Cubed?

My lad cycles alot to see his mates in local villages and we go to Dalby Forest and the Lakes with our bikes so I want to get something reasonable for him.

TIA
Paul

[WhatHappenedThere]

Wouldn’t a Hybrid suit that workload ?
I’m looking at the B’Twin from Decathlon- specifically the 900 and 920

[campionissimo]

https://www.rutlandcycling.com/bikes/mountain-bike...

they've got it in a Medium.....

[PH5121]

I hadn't thought of looking at Decathlon and its' range of bikes as there isn't a store near me.

I know that my son would really like a full suspension bike and I'd assumed that my budget couldn't stretch to a the purchase of a new one (looking at new as he's always had second hand, bought as and when he's needed a bike, but as it's a birthday present I've been looking at new).

However there are a couple of full suspension bikes in the B'Twin range, the Rock Rider 520s and 540s which are within budget / over budget by a £100.

Any opinions would be gratefully received of the B'Twin full suspension bikes above.

[dcb]

PH5121 said:

However there are a couple of full suspension bikes in the B'Twin range, the Rock Rider 520s and 540s which are within budget / over budget by a £100.

Any opinions would be gratefully received of the B'Twin full suspension bikes above.

540 seems to be 520 + hydraulic disk brakes. Neither are full suspension.

I have the 520 and have done 2,200 miles on it in ten months.
I average about 7 mph. I find it a great bike, very happy with it.
It hasn't broken down once. Much more reliable than cheaper things from Halfords.

I am so impressed, I will be buying another bike from Decathlon soon.

[PH5121]

dcb said:

540 seems to be 520 + hydraulic disk brakes. Neither are full suspension.

Glad to hear that the B'Twin bikes are not just BSO's (bike shaped objects). I think the 's' suffix denotes the full suspension model from the front suspension version.

[WhatHappenedThere]

Just about to 'pull the trigger' or FTK on a B'TWIN RIVERSIDE 920 HYBRID BIKE

https://www.decathlon.co.uk/riverside-920-hybrid-b...

So hoping they are not 'cheap dross' tarted up for a big wholesaler ?

[boyse7en]

At the budget you are looking at I'd steer well clear of full-suspension bikes. Likely to heavy and low performance suspension which is more likely to put him off riding it.

[campionissimo]

boyse7en said:

At the budget you are looking at I'd steer well clear of full-suspension bikes. Likely to heavy and low performance suspension which is more likely to put him off riding it.

quoted for truth.

[PH5121]

According to the Decathlon web site the 540s is lighter than the Specialized Hardrock he's been riding since he was 9.

I know it goes against conventional wisdom to entertain a cheap full suspension bike but I am tempted to have a look at one in the flesh.

[smifffymoto]

What about 2nd hand/used.There are some very good 26 inch going for peanuts.

[LordHaveMurci]

smifffymoto said:

What about 2nd hand/used.There are some very good 26 inch going for peanuts.

Is there much difference moving up to a 27.5?

[Kermit power]

I've not had a bike from Decathlon, but with all the other kit I've had from them, I've always been amazed at how they manage to turn out such good quality at such low prices.

Having said that, there's only so many miracles they can perform, and I'd also draw the line at a full suspension bike new at that price.

There will be plenty of really nice but largely unwanted 26" bikes at your budget on ebay or pink bike. Just because 26"wheels, 2x or 3x drive trains and straight steerer forks are unfashionable these days, that doesn't stop them being really good bikes, and they will be going for a fraction of their price when new.

[PH5121]

My lad and I ventured over the Pennines to have a look at the B twin at Decathlon and he loved it so I bought him it.

He's out on it whenever he has the chance and it's no heavier than the Specialized Hardrock it replaces. He's happy and it seems like a decent bike so I'm happy too.

I'd have loved to have bought him something better but when you have two kids and a wife with birthdays within 5 weeks it gets expensive around this time of year!

[Kermit power]

PH5121 said:

My lad and I ventured over the Pennines to have a look at the B twin at Decathlon and he loved it so I bought him it.

He's out on it whenever he has the chance and it's no heavier than the Specialized Hardrock it replaces. He's happy and it seems like a decent bike so I'm happy too.

I'd have loved to have bought him something better but when you have two kids and a wife with birthdays within 5 weeks it gets expensive around this time of year!

I can feel your pain on that!

I have to contend with Christmas (wife and 3 kids) then three birthdays in the following 9 weeks...