The 10 Best mountain bikes
From beginners to experts, the ideal options for off-road biking
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£259.99, johnlewis.com
This well thought-out bike will give you that extra grip on rugged terrain, while the 21 gears will help you climb hills. The frame comes with a lifetime guarantee.
£359.99, halfords.com
Heavy, but this is excellent for beginners and features a 120mm travel Suntour fork with damping and lockout for when you switch to flat terrain riding.
£299.99, islabikes.co.uk
Aimed at children aged between five and 13, this superb bike features an uncomplicated range of seven or eight gears, which teaches children how to make accurate changes.
£125.99, hargrovescycles.co.uk
A good value children's bike with a rigid front fork, which means the bike is light and easy to control. It also reduces the stand-over height, so children can start slightly early.
£759.99, chainreactioncycles.com
This is a well-built bike that offers amazing performance. Yes, it's expensive, but compared with others at this price, the kit it offers is immense.
£250, raleigh.co.uk
Brand new this month, this bike's frame is tailored to a women's specific fit using patented AIRlite alloy tubing. Gear changing is slick and easy and pedalling is comfortable.
£600, specializedconceptstore.co.uk
Specialized is the most respected brand. With hydraulic disc brakes and a plush suspension fork with lock-out, it's great for off-road biking.
£339.99, evanscycles.com
Few bikes are stable enough to reassure newcomers at the same time as being flighty enough to provide rewards once they get the hang of things – but this one does both.
£749, evanscycles.com
Twenty-nine-inch wheels are the latest trend. The idea is that with larger wheels, the bike rolls more easily over rocks and roots. Mountain Bike Rider magazine's Bike of the Year.
£499.99, halfords.com
This bike's alloy frame is both strong and light and it also boasts impressive stability and grip, together with the fantastic ability to roll over obstacles.
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