Bicycle Mechanics - Good mountain bike for £100 or less?

My bike is 6 1/2 years old and parts are starting to wear out, i basically need a new one.
Halfords seem to do some good offers:

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/categorydisplay_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_categoryId_103665_langId_-1_topCategoryId__parentcategoryrn_90909_crumb_33980-33957-82393-90909_topcategory_90909

I dont really need anything special like a super modified bike with an extremely light frame.
Basically just one with front or full suspension which can handle some offroad surfaces, and can stand 5+ miles a day for a few years. Prefereably with mud guards included.

I'll buy from UK stores only.

Any help?

If you're going to buy from UK stores, then UK stores are the ones to answer the question. No?

I'm not sure what £100 will get you but if it's anything like $100 gets us here in the USA, it won't be much. BTW, my experience is that those of you in the UK pay in £ what we pay in $ for exactly the same thing.

You have a choice, either buy cheap and replace often or buy better and have it for longer. The better bike will be a lot more pleasant to ride for the longer time you have it too. .

what kind of bike do you have now? maybe start upgrading?

£100 = US$205
The dollar really sucks these days.

£100 = US$205
The dollar really sucks these days.
I does only if you are converting dollars into pounds. If you are buying things in the UK, you will spend in pounds what we in the USA spend in dollars for the same thing. I.e. £100 in the UK buys what $100 does in the US.

Good, Light, Cheap - - Pick any Two

I does only if you are converting dollars into pounds. If you are buying things in the UK, you will spend in pounds what we in the USA spend in dollars for the same thing. I.e. £100 in the UK buys what $100 does in the US.

Been there, no. £100 gets you more then US$100 in the UK. Currency is traded in US Dollars. Minor differences could come from tariffs and taxes. Go to probikekit.com and get a quick lesson in international currency exchange.

As for the OP's question, baby a sporting goods store bike or find a good second hand store at a thrift store, consignment shop, pawn shop, or person to person sale. Bike shops may have used bikes for sale in your price range. If bike co-ops exist in the UK, that would be your best bet.

Been there, no. £100 gets you more then US$100 in the UK. Currency is traded in US Dollars. Minor differences could come from tariffs and taxes. Go to probikekit.com and get a quick lesson in international currency exchange.

I've been there many times too and that's why I made the comment that £100 there buys what $100 does here. Bike parts (and a few other things) for export are an exception but I'm talking about day-to-day living costs for UK residents.

I does only if you are converting dollars into pounds. If you are buying things in the UK, you will spend in pounds what we in the USA spend in dollars for the same thing. I.e. £100 in the UK buys what $100 does in the US.

Exactly.

For 100 quid your not going to get much. You say your current bike is 6 1/2 years old. You didn't say what sort of bike it is. But if the frame is of any quality it would be far more sensible to spend your money on upgraded parts for your old frame. Trawl ebay, second hand parts are cheap here. Otherwise spend you 100 on a second hand bike, it's going to be better than the excuses Halfords flog.

Halfords is a rubbish for bikes, stay away.

The Isla Benin (http://www.islabikes.co.uk/bike_pages/beinn24.html)is a serious 24" off roader with no suspension. The price is high for a kids bike at £199 but the resale value will hold up well.

Where did this notion that you can actually get something good (new) for $200.00 come from? A fair amount of people around here would actually resent paying that much. And they will argue all day that theilr Target or Wal Mart bikes are 'good bikes'. Excuse me, they're not. Adult toys have always cost money, and the influx of Chinese bikes hasn't changed that. Equipment that will stand up to the abuse mtn bikes take will cost more than $200.00. It's just the way it is. bk