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-   -   Recommendation for growing teen? (https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=1229039)

Broodax 04-25-21 11:59 AM

Recommendation for growing teen?
 
My son is 13 and already an inch taller than me (he's 5'7"). He's been riding my bike (Hybrid) since he outgrew his 24" (I think), but it'd be great to be able to ride with him.

Of course, he's not done growing either, so I don't want to get him anything too expensive. He's undecided on road vs. mountain style, which inclines me to direct him to road bikes for their versatility, maybe a gravel bike for a little bit of non-paved ability though 99% of his riding will be on the street and paved bike paths - i.e. just getting around town, maybe to school, etc. However, the only inexpensive (<$600) road bikes I've seen are really cheap Walmart stuff, which I don't want to do to him even if he's going to outgrow it in 2 years, not to mention we'd have no idea of fit, etc. like we would if we could try something in a shop.

An entry level MTB would be fine for now, I suppose, as that's more in line with the top of what I'd budget (~$500), and wouldn't be a lost cause as I could likely resell a quality bike much more easily than a Walmart special.

And, of course the pandemic makes all of this more difficult. Supply of new bikes is limited, and the only used sales I can find are folks appearing to scalp the Walmart bikes for above retail. If it was pre-pandemic, I've no doubt I could find a used gravel bike that would be great.

Any recommendations?

VegasTriker 04-26-21 02:45 PM

It makes a lot more sense to buy a used bike and then sell it off again when your son outgrows the bike. This works best if he is capable of simple repairs and adjustments which older bikes may require. I've done this for years to acquire decent bikes kids in my scout troop can have when they attempt the cycling merit badge. I do the maintenance and adjustments before turning the bikes over to the kids. If you look for a used road bike you should look for one with a 23" frame. On a mountain bike the frame size should be about 1 and 1/2 inches shorter. I looked at the Minneapolis CL to see if there were any decent bikes that would fit your son. They are not all junk but you probably will have to settle for an older bike. Here are four that look like they would be the correct size and are easily within your budget plus allow extra money for things like replacing tires and brake pads (often necessary on older bikes). You are correct that there are quite a few overpriced bikes though. People look for a brand name like Schwinn and pay way too much when there are many good brands to look for.

Trek 930 singletrack - $120 (inver grove hts) This could date back as far as the mid 1990s and sold for around $500 brand new in 1995. It would have been at the upper end of entry level bikes. If it is in good working order it would be worth the asking price ($120) even if it needs new tires and brake pads. It should be the correct size for someone who is 5' 7".https://minneapolis.craigslist.org/dak/bik/d/inver-grove-heights-trek-930-singletrack/7312884652.html

Specialized Sirrus 23" Road Bike - $250 (West Side of St Paul) https://minneapolis.craigslist.org/r...308959536.html $250 23” frame which is about right for your son's height

Fuji Allegro road bike - $180 (Inver Grove Heights) This is an older road bike with 27” tires so it could date back to the late 1970s from the components listed. It would be better than any entry level bike you can buy new these days.https://minneapolis.craigslist.org/d...310670476.html

'1990s GARY FISHER Aquila 21 speed frt susp MTN bike 50cm - $120 (Plymouth) This one could be either 1993 or 1995. I'm not thrilled with mountain bikes that have front suspensions unless they are really high end but at the price shown here it would be worth looking at if it is nearby. https://minneapolis.craigslist.org/h...301898760.html

Leinster 04-29-21 08:48 AM

I would say a 23" road bike for a 5'7" rider would be a bit on the big side. If you go with a 52 or 54cm (21 to 22") frame, it should be big enough now, and still offer some room for growth (I'm 5'10" and my 2 road bikes are a 54 and a 55cm)

If you don't know what type of cycling he's going to like in the long run, and he's happy with your hybrid, then continuing with a hybrid is probably ok for now for going on rides with you. Then he can think about specializing when he starts going on off road adventures in the wilderness, or long road rides to neighboring cities, or doing stunts off jumps, or whatever floats his boat.

NRissy 04-29-21 11:14 AM

I would look for a used 90's mountain bike. As Vegas Triker said they would be a great all around bike. You could also put some less aggressive tires on the bike to make it roll easier on the pavement.

bOsscO 04-29-21 11:45 AM

I just went through this Broodax with my son who's turning 13 in July and 5'-1"
He outgrew his 24" wheel Specialized HotRock last fall but, since he wasn't riding much during winter, we decided to wait until now to get him a new bike. I called around and one of our LBS had a brand new size small Norco Indie 3; https://www.norco.com/bikes/2021/cit...indie/indie-3/
For $800CAD (or $650USD) you get 650B wheels, hydraulic disc brakes, 3X7 speed gearing, lightweight aluminum frame, and so on.
The used market here right now is tough, and if he get 3-5 years of good riding on this new bike I'll be happy.
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...c12ee47d51.jpg
Good for road and gravel trails.

Viich 05-02-21 08:28 AM

If I were you, and he's happy with using your hybrid, I'd buy a used cyclocross or gravel bike for yourself....... ;)
(I say that, but the most expensive bikes in my house are the BMX race bikes for my kids)

And the used decent bikes are out there, but they're snapped up really fast. Try to find where they're being sold (riding club or something).

Broodax 05-03-21 04:38 PM

Really helpful, all, especially taking the time to find specific listings!

I do think 23" is going to be big - they list standover height at 32.5", and even though he's got long legs, I do want grandkids someday, so that may be out. This is too bad because that Fuji looks *great*.

I will try CL for a 21-22" perhaps (I wouldn't have known the size to look for in an older bike, either, so thanks for that too).

VegasTriker 05-04-21 07:48 AM

Most sellers don't list the "stand over height" for their bikes so you may wish to contact them for the actual frame height. It is the distance between the center of the crank arms to the top of the seat tube just above where the clamp holding the seat in place is located. If you are considering a road bike that distance would be 21". I'm a tad shorter than your son. A 21" road bike fit me perfectly but when I went to a mountain bike the frame was 18". It's just the different geometry of the frame that made the difference. If a seller does not list a frame size, ask them to give you that measurement.

Broodax 05-07-21 07:32 PM

Well, found a too good to be true specialized that had just been sold some other way and the CL listing wasn't taken down. Now looking at this:

https://minneapolis.craigslist.org/h...316745915.html

VegasTriker Yeah, I think a 21-22" would be right. The 23" seem to all run a bit larger than we'd want (for now, god the kid grows 3-4 inches a year lately).

Broodax 06-11-21 09:51 AM


Originally Posted by Leinster (Post 22036598)
I would say a 23" road bike for a 5'7" rider would be a bit on the big side. If you go with a 52 or 54cm (21 to 22") frame, it should be big enough now, and still offer some room for growth (I'm 5'10" and my 2 road bikes are a 54 and a 55cm)

If you don't know what type of cycling he's going to like in the long run, and he's happy with your hybrid, then continuing with a hybrid is probably ok for now for going on rides with you. Then he can think about specializing when he starts going on off road adventures in the wilderness, or long road rides to neighboring cities, or doing stunts off jumps, or whatever floats his boat.

Just checking back in - there was a great deal on a used Giant gravel bike at the local shop, $900 for ~4 years old with 105. He test road that, a hardtail, and a hybrid, all in his size. Turns out he liked the hybrid the best anyway, which saved me $400, though I feel bad for not taking advantage of the deal. I'd have bought it for myself, but alas, his size is clearly bigger than mine now. I couldn't stand over the damn thing.

noisebeam 09-17-21 04:05 PM

I am happy I found this thread as I am in near exactly in the same situation - also good to hear Broodax found a great bike for his son.

My son is 12yr old. 5'6-1/4" 31.0" full leg length ('bike inseam') - all barefoot - I was thinking 52/54cm frame.
Also 99% paved/path, maybe some hard packed dirt for short connector sections.
Wants a road oriented bike, commuter style - flat bar over drops.
Rides a few miles to school and back currently plus up to ~20mi rides around town. Enthusiasm for this has suddenly and unexpectedly grown.
Currently is using Diamondback insight 24 which is embarrassingly too small for him - I want to figure this out soon.
I haven't looked locally yet, will this weekend, but my hopes are low for a quick find.


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