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See, I say "loves" the TdF, he watched it really enthusiastically and now wants a bike.
(he's not mine - I was just asked for advice)
He's a really sporty kid and he'd probably be ace at it but doesn't ride bikes really at all at the moment. His mum asked how much a decent road bike would cost (I suspect she's thinking under 200 quid). I started off thinking a used small or xs road bike but I reckon he'd be better off with a mtb and 2 sets of wheels (I could supply the road ones easy enough). I'm thinking It'd be more robust and keep his options more open but it's not what's in his mind at the moment
We live on the edge of the new forest, so plenty of (not exactly permitted, but locally tolerated) off-road riding as well as speed limited roads that are fairly safe
Am I just prejudiced in suggesting a mtb ?
(Oh, and where do I find a great cheap bike of the variety you are about to suggest ?)
It's got to have drop bars hasn't it? I'd stick up a wanted ad on here and the other bike sites (bikeradar, road.cc) for a small or junior starter. You should be able to get something for around 200, with enough room for cyclocross tyres so the gravel tracks in the new forest and cx racing are doable. It will need low gears too.
Hope he's our next wiggo!
12 is a funny age when they grow rapidly and a kids bike may not last long.
If you do want a kids road bike though Decathlon do one - [url= http://www.decathlon.co.uk/triban-junior-id_8129804.html ]Here[/url]
Otherwise go 2nd hand
Ah, cheers gents
Yeah, I think he'd be after drops but still wonder if a mtb frame would suit better when abused by a teenager - riding to footy practice, mucking about in the park & stuff.
I think he's already big enough for 700c or 26 inch mtb wheels in a nice small frame.
Just seems to me that he should be buggering about in the forest and sooner or later he'll realise that for himself.
(I've a 17 ich stiffee frame in the garage - might go & measure that up for TT length and do some comparison with little road frames)
My 12yo rides an old Trek 2200. It was 250 pounds, has a 105 groupset and 650 wheels. Frankly it is superb. It was handed down from his brother who now rides a Boardman. Look for women specific small frames. 200 is a bit low really, even used.
He rode the Richmond to Windsor ride on it today, 40 miles in under three hours. Some lovely road riding in the New Forest too.
Dawes Espoir ? Can convert to cx bike.
I was just eyeing up the Triban Junior from Decathlon the other day... Over the budget, possibly, but comparing it to the utter crap I used to have as a kid, it's pretty fantastic- a proper bike.