Sorry, but i disagree. You say about halfords specials, I think what craig was refering to was bike such as the saracen amplitude 3. A basic spec do it all bike, just like this new ashton. £250 I belive I've ridden it, the frame has just the right geometry and a basic spec of components. The bike is very upgradeable, things are kept basic. Now you compare halfords to jjb. Most staff in jjb stores don't really know as much as someone in halfords would do, as its a general sports store. Now, about bikes falling to pieces. I think you'll find this can happen anywhere. Be it halfords or an IBS, all it takes is one idiot to screw somthing up. If someone does this in a IBS then it dosn't really get noticed, if a large company like halfords screws up its in the papers. One thing I will agree on is the £300 price mark. We get the same here, most parents are willing to spend that much if their child has wrecked the bike they hand. Dirt jump style bikes in this price range are great sellers, just wish we had more of a range.