Help please

[ScotiaLass]

I need an MTB for my 13yr old son.
A hardtail is fine, nothing fancy but needs to be sturdy. I'll be buying second hand and can't spend a lot.

Any recommendations as to what to look out for?

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

Keep an eye out on the boards here. Both of our mountain bikes have been picked up for between £200-250 from these boards. one was 18 months old the other 2 1/2 years old and both are excellent bikes. (Both were originally around the £750-850 mark).
Otherwise if you spot something on gumtree or ebay and want an opinion post a thread & link and people are usually very helpful.

 

[Mo1959]

http://www.gumtree.com/p/for-sale/bh-pro-expert/1052277836#photo-content
Any good? Not too far.

 

[ScotiaLass]

http://www.gumtree.com/p/for-sale/bh-pro-expert/1052277836#photo-content
Any good? Not too far.

That looks okay....not sure about frame size and yes, it's about 2 miles away

 

[Cubist]

How big is he?

 

[ScotiaLass]

How big is he?

Blimey....he's built like a stick and at a guess about 5' 5''.

 

[Cubist]

Then a 16 inch MTB frame will be about right.