Clark W. Griswold
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: ,location, location
Posts: 13,728
Bikes: Foundry Chilkoot Ti W/Ultegra Di2, Salsa Timberjack Ti, Cinelli Mash Work RandoCross Fun Time Machine, 1x9 XT Parts Hybrid, Co-Motion Cascadia, Specialized Langster, Phil Wood Apple VeloXS Frame (w/DA 7400), R+M Supercharger2 Rohloff, Habanero Ti 26
Mentioned: 55 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4436 Post(s)
If you are looking to pass down the bike, get something of quality. If you are looking for a bike for a couple months then keep a low budget. A quality bike will last longer and be easier to ride and won't be a deterrent to riding. Don't just buy a bike to buy a bike get something that they will enjoy riding and get a lot of use out of.
The older 26" MTB is not a terrible idea assuming you have someone with you who really knows what they are doing and can inspect the bike and make good suggestions (so probably not the guy who commutes and beyond that doesn't know bikes) Maybe see if any local shops will help you do the transaction or have them look at it.