Mountain bike for a teenager

[jayonabike]

My boy wants a new MTB for Christmas. It'll be mainly used for bombing around the streets with his mates and cycling to school. I have a budget of about £400 and whilst in the LBS yesterday I saw this


http://www.trekbikes.com/uk/en/bikes/mountain/sport/3_series/3700_disc/

Seems to tick all the boxes, funky colour scheme for a teenager, 26" wheels, front suspension, hydraulic disc brakes, good brand.
What else is out there for around the same price? Or should I go ahead and snap this up (with 10% discount)

 

[jayonabike]

Anyone?

 

[Ganymede]

Try posting in the MTB forum? I know nothing!

 

[Crackle]

I've spent a lot of time looking in this price range for my kids and that Trek is par for the course at that price. You'd have to spend a hundred more to get better. Tektro brakes aren't good but aren't terrible and the Suntour fork will be a hopeless lead weight. The 2013 model may actually be better specced than the 2014 one. Other makes to consider are Scott, GT and Kona. Cube too and price for price Cube are often better specced. Other styles are more jump bike oriented like the Scott YZ series, easier to pop wheelies on

 

[vickster]

Anything in the Decathlon range, normally good vfm