AudioSQ

My son wants to do the local MS150 with me this year and I think it could be a fun and memorable father/son activity. The issue is he's almost 13 and I don't want to spend much on a bike. 1) He's growing like a weed and will out grow it in no time. 2) Once we start training he may change his mind.

I really only need to get him something that will last about 9 months. Obviously something used seems like the logical choice, and I'll be on the hunt but the selection for his height could be limited. Any suggestions? The cheaper the better, but I'd rather not go over $250. Thanks!

urbanknight

I know it's tempting to set a low budget, but keep in mind that bicycles have resale value. If you find a quality used bike, chances are you can sell it for about the same amount if it's less than a year later. Heck, my son recently grew out of a bike which I then sold for $60 MORE than I had paid for it. A cheap new bike will not only be less fun to ride (heavier, sloppy shifting, etc.), but it's value will drop the moment it leaves the store.

rivers

Depending on his height, he might fit some XXS/XS/S adult bikes, which could open up some more possibilities/help with resale when the time comes. For reference, I'm 5'2" and ride anything from a 46-48cm road bike.

Reflector Guy

How tall is he currently? I was about that age when I inherited my dad's bike and it remained my bike for the next decade. It was too big for me for about the first year.

topflightpro

I'd suggest looking for a juniors focused cycling team in your area. It's not uncommon for those organizations to have a network of junior bikes they pass around/sell as the kids grow. It may also give your child an outlet to develop his riding for the MS150.

mstateglfr 

Best of luck. Genuinely- I hope you can find something that is in good ridable condition that fits for that price. Dont look for specific model suggestions because we dont know whats available in your area in that size and price range. Contact any local collective/co-ops in your area, search facebook, and search craigslist.

AudioSQ

I didn't even think about resale value as I never sell anything. I find it a hastle and usually just give things away, but that is a very good point. Looking at it that way I just need to sell it for no less than the $250 I paid for it. I guess the nicer the bike the better the resale. He just better take care of it.

I believe he's about 5'6", which I suppose puts him in the short adult category. I imagine he'll at least be 2" or 3" taller come time for the ride, which is May.

Thanks for the input!

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zandoval 

Don't worry about it. Get him a big bike. He'll grow into it. I had an old FUJI that I literally had to jump on and off of it was so big. Called it my horse. Also consider building up a bike with him. Find an aluminum or steel framed bike then buy up some fair component beater bikes at the pawn shop and build a bike. Easy and fun, especially with your kid...

AudioSQ

I feel like if we're going to ride 150 miles in two days it should be a pretty good fit? Kids don't feel the pain like I do though.

mstateglfr 

Maybe go to the C&V forum here and post in the sales forum that you are looking. Give details on frame size, buy price, and what you want for equipment(modern only or open to whatever). There are a lot of posters with a ton of bikes that arent ridden- both c&v and modern. Someone may have something that would work and it would likely sell for less than what the same bike would on ebay.

faulker479

Check on FB. There are a couple of groups like Houston Recycle(if memory serves) that have stuff come up all the time. It should be pretty easy to find a nicer/maybe a bit older 50-52cm bike in the Greater Houston area.

Also, Ready2Roll Cycling has a good training series for the MS150. They have a classified section that may be a good place to look at. The Ready2Roll people are really great and could be a good training series to participate in. However, their routes are mostly west and north west of Katy. so it may be too far a drive for you and your son to make from the woodlands each year.

urbanknight

I would agree. Kids are more tolerant than adults, so maybe 1 size up, but make sure you can get the right saddle height, saddle setback, and handlebar reach.

zandoval 

Doing something together with your kid... Priceless...

urbanknight

Just for clarity, I don't think the OP is debating on a child's bike versus an adult's bike. At 5'6" he likely fits a 51cm or 52cm bike just fine, but the issue being considered is that he might grow into a 54cm in just 1 year. While going up a couple cm is probably ok, I have seen what happens when you get too big of a bike. My little brother could barely steer his first 700c bike and looked like a fish wiggling down the road. My parents got me a 56cm frame after I had basically gone up 2cm every year for 3 years... then I suddenly stopped growing. Never got comfortable on it and ended up selling it to go back down one size. That's why I suggest a used name brand bike. They hold their value.

CliffordK

I'd probably also go used, somewhere around 54cm.

If you are mechanically savvy, you and the kid could rebuild the bike over the winter.

The kid should be able to ride the bike for several years in the future.

"Vintage" is fine, although I cringe at calling the Murrays and cheap Schwinns "Road Bikes". But, keep your nose to the ground and you should be able to find a decent used road bike in the $200 to $300 range.



I'm seeing a Trek Lexa. It is advertised as a "Woman's bike", but it should work fine.
https://houston.craigslist.org/bik/d...388524746.html


Here you go, $125 for a pair of bikes, one short, and one tall... perfect for growing into.

https://houston.craigslist.org/bik/d...391140628.html

AudioSQ

Indeed. He's getting to the age where he's too cool for me so I'm really hoping this will be a good experience for both of us. Probably make me too loose with the cash.

The plan now is to get him something decent, around 54cm and sell it after for hopefully not too much of a loss. Fortunately we're in a big city so it shouldn't be too hard to find inventory. I'm going to do a couple shorter rides with him on his mom's hybrid first though. Make sure he doesn't change his mind.

jennyshop

I have the same dilemma.

AudioSQ

I ended up getting him a nicer well used bike, CAAD10. Unfortunately once I got home with it I notice a couple of dings that I missed.. I'll probably take a bath when I sell it. The guy was into Formula 1 so I ended up talking more about the Austin race than inspecting. Oh well, still worth it for the memories.. if I could actually keep up with him. At least we see each other at the start 😏 The bike is a little too big for him, but I have no doubt he'll quickly grow into it.

Leinster

That’s a nice bike! I wouldn’t even hurry to sell it.

if that’s your son’s current saddle height, then he has plenty of room for growth.