Apollo Phaze Mens Mountain Bike - Blue - 14", 17", 20" Frames £175 at Halfords

This seems an ok bike, and while many will say its not as good as a bike over £1000, at least if it does get pinched it will be less upsetting than a bike costing over £1000. For a bike to get around on and last many years, i suspect you cannot go wrong.

One thing that I am not keen on are the twist gears. Some people may prefer them, but I find you have to use a bit of presume to change, while a stick you can flick and change the gears with ease.

As with any bike regardless of cost, do not buy a £2 lock as they will be cut with ease. I tend to opt for a thick chain with a decent padlock, however you can end up with something with a heavy weight. But whatever you get, remember they carry big bolt cutters.

Also a tip. If your bike comes with plastic cheap peddles, change them for something solid, as I find they break with ease.

Another tip is to buy a decent light.

These are rubbish and barely better than walking. In fact when the gears magically fall out of adjustment and jam the chain or you crash due to the non existent brakes you will have wished you chose to walk in the first place.