Hard tail for teenager entry level

[r159]

After some advice on a new bike for my 14 yo.

Having outgrown his own bike and starting to use my old (older than him) GT Avalanche it’s time for him to get a new hard tail budget £600 (and not a PH £600)

Use is nothing extreme, just bridleways and local reservoir tracks. The question I have is the type with the single chain ring (seems to be on 29ers) any good if use includes roads? Or is it better to stick with the multi front ring and smaller wheels. Understanding that it’s down to ratios but I want him to be able travel at a decent lick when on good surfaces.

I also have a Giant Hybrid which I use when we’re out together, but while it’s quick on the smooth stuff, its on it’s limit on the rough. So a hybrid is out.

There is some good deals at the moment on previous model years from most of the big brands.

Any advice or practical experience most welcome.

[Bryanwww]

£600 budget for a new bike doesn't get you much but you can get some really good stuff used for that budget.

I'd go for a used Scott Scale or similar off eBay, £500 will get you a high spec 700 model (27.5 wheels) - Shimano deore or XT components or a lower spec 900 model (29 wheels).

Will be able to do anything up to red trails and 100km rides on rough terrain on this no problem.

This for example:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/295928912419?mkcid=16&a...

Ratio on a single chain ring is fine for road use but may spin out going downhills etc. You can adjust it using different size chain rings if he finds he needs more low or top end.

Avoid "overbiking" - marketing pushes super slack, big wheeled, heavy trail bikes but they are overkill for the type of riding you described and feel sluggish whenever you're not pointing downhill. XC bike is a lot more versatile and feel light and agile so they are fun to ride even on tow paths.

[horsemeatscandal]

I bought a Specialized Rockhopper Sport 3 years ago (well, I actually got it for free but that's another story) for £500. I did a fair few miles on it and rated it for the price. It was £500 at the time and is now still only £525 which seems mad considering the price of everything else (unless the spec isn't the same). I recently sold it in very good condition for £220.

[Master Bean]

Budget creep but I like the look of this.

https://www.halfords.com/bikes/mountain-bikes/boar...

The top gear is 85 inches which is the same as my Voodoo Hoodoo. Plenty of speed available if you can twiddle your legs and/or have the fitness.

Edited by Master Bean on Sunday 17th September 16:16

[g3org3y]

Master Bean said:

Budget creep but I like the look of this.

https://www.halfords.com/bikes/mountain-bikes/boar...

The top gear is 85 inches which is the same as my Voodoo Hoodoo. Plenty of speed available if you can twiddle your legs and/or have the fitness.

Edited by Master Bean on Sunday 17th September 16:16

Good bike.



[/biased]

[bobbo89]

Have a nosey at Vitus bikes on Wiggle/CRC

Quite a bit of money off them ATM and not bad value for money e.g. https://www.wiggle.com/p/vitus-sentier-29-mountain...

[Stick Legs]

I have a Giant Fathom 29er which is my hardtail mountain bike & general use bike for pub & shop trips etc.

It’s been great, a bit above your price range but the Giant Talon is on budget & is essentially a cheaper version of mine.

[nickfrog]

bobbo89 said:

Have a nosey at Vitus bikes on Wiggle/CRC

Quite a bit of money off them ATM and not bad value for money e.g. https://www.wiggle.com/p/vitus-sentier-29-mountain...

That looks spot on for the money. Modern(ish) geo which is the main thing. Maybe change the tyres for something less aggro and more versatile (should be cost neutral too). Save up for a dropper when he wants to tackle more interesting trails.

[peew]

Another vote for Vitus + dropper post.

Used mountain bikes can often need extensive servicing - not uncommon to need £150 spent on them at a mechanic

https://www.wiggle.com/c/cycle/bikes/mountain-bike...

[SwissJonese]

Can't go wrong with the Vitus bikes listed above, but I'm a big fan of Whyte - Whyte 801 at Evans

My teenage son is ridding my old Cube HT to school everyday. Been a perfect bike for last few years, still looks immaculate.

Also check out any local bike hire places, lots release their end of season hire bikes in Sep and you can sometimes get a bargain.

[snotrag]

Any good quality Hardtail will be 1x now.

The range will be absolutely fine - a typical 1x10 or 1x11 setup on a budget bike will still get you to well over 20mph with a reasonable cadence, which is all you ever need with a MTB. Its the range your worried about, not the number of discrete gear ratios.

[paulrockliffe]

At 14 I would look at second hand 26" bikes. The industry decided these were no longer acceptable, so there are thousands out there that are great bikes, not trashed and are 'worth' pennies.

As time goes by more and more of us are accepting that they're worthless and putting them on eBay and hoping that wives don't find out how big a bath we're taking.

[sjg]

MBR just did their hardtail test: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w_a4K6IeZPo

Polygon Xtrada 5 (available from Go Outdoors) won the lower priced category at £600. https://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/16537654/polygon-xtra...

Worth keeping an eye on the perpetual CRC sales though, the Vitus Nucleus and Sentier are great and often discounted.

[Bryanwww]

paulrockliffe said:

At 14 I would look at second hand 26" bikes. The industry decided these were no longer acceptable, so there are thousands out there that are great bikes, not trashed and are 'worth' pennies.

As time goes by more and more of us are accepting that they're worthless and putting them on eBay and hoping that wives don't find out how big a bath we're taking.

Agree but 27.5 is the sweet spot I think but 26 wheels isn't going to make a big difference - at 14 he will probably grow out of the bike size anyway.

Posts suggesting a dropper post when the ask was for something to ride towpaths and bridleways!

Long, slack 29inchers always feel sluggish unless you are riding down mountains with them, and most of these suggestions are for trail hardtails which weigh a tonne, have massive tyres. Great if you live near a trail centre and that's where most riding is gonna be done but if youre riding towpaths an XC or gravel bike is where it's at.
.

[ZedLeg]

I've got one of these as a town and occasional trail bike and it's great. Could do with upgrading the fork at some point but I mostly use it locked out so no hurry.

https://www.konabikeshop.co.uk/lava-dome-purple-20...

[nickfrog]

Bryanwww said:

Posts suggesting a dropper post when the ask was for something to ride towpaths and bridleways!

You probably don't need a MTB at all for towpaths and most bridleways. But then again I know enough bridleways where a dropper is nice to have anyway to know the suggestion makes sense, particularly for a 14 year who is bound to want to have a bit of proper off road fun, even away from Bikeparks and even as a future upgrade.

[paulrockliffe]

nickfrog said:

You probably don't need a MTB at all for towpaths and most bridleways. But then again I know enough bridleways where a dropper is nice to have anyway to know the suggestion makes sense, particularly for a 14 year who is bound to want to have a bit of proper off road fun, even away from Bikeparks and even as a future upgrade.

I've ridden bikes all over for years, I'd happily ride all that and more on a gravel bike, but I have the strength of adulthood and a decent pinch of skill to go with my age and experience. At 14 I had neither and wouldn't want to be learning how to ride off-road on a road bike with big tyres. Yes it's fine for what's described, but there's no room to grow.

A dropper is a huge chunk of the budget and involves compromises everywhere else. It's not the right balance at the budget suggested.

[nickfrog]

I think it's quite literally the opposite Paul. Tiny budget (£100 new, £50 second hand) and will open up proper MTB fun. Can be done at a later stage as I said to start with whereas with a non-MTB or an old school geo 26 the compromise is short sighted.

Kids tend to ride instinctively and with far more natural skill than adults learning MTB.

[r159]

Bryanwww said:

paulrockliffe said:

At 14 I would look at second hand 26" bikes. The industry decided these were no longer acceptable, so there are thousands out there that are great bikes, not trashed and are 'worth' pennies.

As time goes by more and more of us are accepting that they're worthless and putting them on eBay and hoping that wives don't find out how big a bath we're taking.

Agree but 27.5 is the sweet spot I think but 26 wheels isn't going to make a big difference - at 14 he will probably grow out of the bike size anyway.

Posts suggesting a dropper post when the ask was for something to ride towpaths and bridleways!

Long, slack 29inchers always feel sluggish unless you are riding down mountains with them, and most of these suggestions are for trail hardtails which weigh a tonne, have massive tyres. Great if you live near a trail centre and that's where most riding is gonna be done but if youre riding towpaths an XC or gravel bike is where it's at.
.

Thanks for all the input

As I said he’s currently using my gt which has an xl frame size with 26” wheels, I’m 6’2” tbh I could have got away with a large frame, he’s just over 5’9” (for this week). So a large hopefully will last him a few years….I’ll have it when he grows out of it…

I think a trip to a place with some stock (with the suggestions in mind) and see what he feels comfortable on.

[paulrockliffe]

I'm 5'10 and ride a medium in general, one of my frames is a small, but that one is the same length as a medium.

I'd be inclined to go medium and then large down the line if needed.