The 10 Best mountain bikes

From beginners to experts, the ideal options for off-road biking

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1. Adventure Trail

£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.

2. Carrera Vulcan

£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.

3. Islabikes Beinn

£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.

4. Ridgeback Honey

£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.

5. Vitus Bikes Zircon 1

£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.

6. Raleigh Talus 1

£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.

7. Specialized Rockhopper

£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.

8. Saracen Tufftrax

£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.

9. Scott Scale 29 Comp

£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.

10. VooDoo HooDoo 29er

£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.