Recommendations for cheap Mountain bike for beginners and a car rack?

Polly05

Hiya, 
As the title suggests really. Myself and my partner have talked about getting bikes for a long time. But it has been a long time since ive been on a bike, and I know nothing of gears etc.
We wouldn't get riding them on roads, more off road and cycle tracks.
Also, any recommendations or a rack to carry them on the car? 
Thanks

cymruchris

Do you have a budget in mind for ‘cheap’ and are you thinking new or used? 

Polly05

Hiya. I'm not fussed about new of used. I'm thinking like £200?

cymruchris

At £200 your choice will likely be limited at the lower end of the new market. Bikes are heavy, and to get them up a hill it's good they are as light as possible - especially if you add accessories into the mix (pumps, lights, bell etc.)  At the £200 mark you'll get a fairly heavy but reasonably solid bike like this one:

https://www.halfords.com/bikes/mountain-bikes/apollo-evade-mens-mountain-bike----14in-17in-20in-22in-frames-560216.html-560224.html

Don't go for the 'biggest' frame - just because you can - bigger frames are heavier! Make sure that you measure your inside legs to choose the right size - and if on the borderline between two sizes - pick the smaller one. Saddles are on posts that go up and down, so you can adjust them to suit.

Used bikes in the same price range will have the challenge of not knowing how they were used and maintained. Would you know how to look for a worn bottom bracket? To have a few minor jobs done on a used bike can soon add up. Trueing a buckled wheel, changing the brake pads, replacing an inner tube - all come with labour charges - so a 'Used' bike at £200 if not maintained might cost you more in the long run.

One of the challenges you'll have at the moment is supply - during the lockdown everyone wanted to stay fit or begin riding to work to avoid buses and trains - this has meant that the numbers of new bikes available are thin on the ground - meaning less promotions - and less choice than say this time last year. 

You might find some bikes advertised on marketplace etc that were bought in regret and have never been used - those would be fine to look at if they were as new.

I bought a used bike a few weeks ago - it was £1000 new, had £500 wheels added to it, was 6 months old and cost me £650. I knew what I was looking for - and it's turned out to be a decent purchase - but you'll need to do a bit of research before you buy. Remember weight is important going up a hill.

Manxman_in_exile

I'd ask "Why go for a mountain bike?  Do you need one?"

Personally, I'd go for a hybrid of some type.  That way you get the best of both worlds.  (Some might argue you get the worst of both worlds but unless you want to do extreme mountain biking or road time trials I'd go for a hybrid every time.)

Don't know if you've ever spent much time in a bike friendly country like Holland, but if you have, you may have noticed that you hardly ever see people riding a mountain bike, a road bike or even a hybrid.  I know many people who swear by a "sit up and beg" bike.

Polly05

cymruchris said:

Don't go for the 'biggest' frame - just because you can - bigger frames are heavier! Make sure that you measure your inside legs to choose the right size - and if on the borderline between two sizes - pick the smaller one. Saddles are on posts that go up and down, so you can adjust them to suit.

Ooh! That's a good tip. Didn't think about that. Makes sense! Thanks

Polly05

Manxman_in_exile said:

I'd ask "Why go for a mountain bike?  Do you need one?"

Just because we wouldn't be using them on the road..? 
And I feel like I would be better on the thicker tyres haha 

shinytop

Decathlon are good value for bikes and you get a lot for your money.  Their mountain bikes start under £200.  I got a road bike from there and it's been great.

amandacat

Me and hubby bought bikes a couple years back. We wanted them for cycle trails rather than road riding and got mountain bikes. We regretted getting mountain bikes as they are heavy particularly up hills and we wished we had got hybrid bikes. Unless you are truly going to be cycling rough terrain then it’s worth thinking about a hybrid. 
We bought ours from Tredz website and they do interest free payment plans. Plus when my bike didn’t feel quite right, they let me take it to a local bike shop to be tuned up and refunded the cost of this. 
In terms of bike racks, we found the Halfords rear high mounted bike rack to be good. Was very secure and holds your bikes above your lights and reg plate so it’s legal. It says it carries 3 bikes but we found it carried our 2 mountain bikes easily but a third bike wouldn’t have fit.