Fickle 12 year old first road bike suggestions

[SlowerthanClivePlatt]

My 12 year old is asking for a road bike for his next birthday. He’s already been out for a few hilly 50km bikes on his heavy metal standard kids hybrid and he is a strong little bugger. He has set his sights on a proper 300+ mile road trip over a day or two with me, but still likes off-roading around the fields and tracks where we live. I ride a Decathlon Btwin af and I don’t want to spend more than £500. At 5ft he’s the same height as my good lady so I could potentially stretch the budget if I got something she could use when he grows out of it. I did consider the new triban 520 with disc brakes but the need to buy new wheels scared me off. Does anyone have recommendations? Should I buy new or second hand?

 

[DCLane]

Does it need to be new? There decent second-hand 650c / XXS size road bikes available at that price. We had a similar request a couple of months ago: https://www.cyclechat.net/threads/road-bike-for-a-grandson.260005

Where are you based? Knowing would help refine some suggestions.

Frame size will depend on their height and inside leg size so probably a 43-47cm frame. We put my now 15yo onto a 48cm 700c wheel bike from 12 but it was a little bit big, accommodated by a shorter seatpost and small stem. His race bike was 44cm and fitted fine. Otherwise a 650c bike is fine for that age.

 

[si_c]

Why would you need new wheels?

 

[SlowerthanClivePlatt]

Thanks DCLane ...we’re based in South Warwickshire and no, it doesn’t have to be new. I’d like to get him on a 48cm frame if possible - so the shortened stem idea is a good one. I mentioned new wheels for the triban as all the reviews talk about how awful it is to get tyres back on them if you have to repair a puncture - and I’ve never known anyone get as many as he does!

 

[si_c]

That's more likely to be a function of the tyres rather than the wheels. Get a folding bead tyre and learn how to get them on and off without tools and you'll be fine.

Plus by changing the tyres you can throw in some slime inner tubes and a more puncture resistant tyre to help keep the fairy away.

 

[jamin100]

Islabikes as the hold their value when you come to sell it once he’s grown out of it

 

[DCLane]

@SlowerthanClivePlatt - not much available near you in that size this week unfortunately. Just these five:

This Lambda 13 in Surrey but will post for £435: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2017-13-...Size-48-5cm-Finance-warranty-p-x/274388228331

A Worx Junior bike in Essex - good bikes but needs a bit of work - £550 in Essex: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/WORX-Junior-road-bike/184267116001

A Ciocc - lovely bikes - current starting price is £500 in Huddersfield: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ciocc-Xray-1350-Aluminum-framed-road-bike-49cm/174308450364 I think I recognise this from youth racing. Didn't sell last time at £500 so might take that as an offer.

This Pinarello Trionfo is 45cm but they under-read, so it'll be 48/49 and will post from Surrey - currently £411: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/PINARELLO-TRIONFO-SORA-BIKE-45-cm/254614158297 Re-listed by the bike shop after selling at £450.

This new Genesis 10 is £500 and in Cambridge: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Genesis-Delta-10-Road-Bike/133421038467

There may also be a Facebook group near you for bike sales - there's Yorkshire Cycling Sales near me - and a 'wanted' advert there might produce something interesting.

 

[Tom B]

That's more likely to be a function of the tyres rather than the wheels. Get a folding bead tyre and learn how to get them on and off without tools and you'll be fine.

Plus by changing the tyres you can throw in some slime inner tubes and a more puncture resistant tyre to help keep the fairy away.

A lot of people refer to tyres as wheels. So it may just be in the wording of reviews. If they are referring to tyres as wheels their ability might be lacking too. People whinge about marathon tyres being hard to get on the rim I rarely have an issue.

 

[jp1970]

My 12 year old is asking for a road bike for his next birthday. He’s already been out for a few hilly 50km bikes on his heavy metal standard kids hybrid and he is a strong little bugger. He has set his sights on a proper 300+ mile road trip over a day or two with me, but still likes off-roading around the fields and tracks where we live. I ride a Decathlon Btwin af and I don’t want to spend more than £500. At 5ft he’s the same height as my good lady so I could potentially stretch the budget if I got something she could use when he grows out of it. I did consider the new triban 520 with disc brakes but the need to buy new wheels scared me off. Does anyone have recommendations? Should I buy new or second hand?

Hi .. just dropped you a PM with details on my son's Road bike I'm selling. 😀

 

[DCLane]

@mickle on here's listed a Condor on eBay for £400: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Condor-road-bike-48cm-/124215483029

 

[mickle]

@mickle on here's listed a Condor on eBay for £400: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Condor-road-bike-48cm-/124215483029

Thanks @DCLane, this one really needs a good home!

 

[Hacienda71]

We got a Triban 3, 48cm for our son when he was about that age. It was great as a starter bike. You get a lot coming up at circa £100 on ebay and for the money the spec is great. Alu frame, carbon forks, shimano groupset etc. The only downside and it is minor, is with 650c wheels you need to carry specific tubes and tyre choices are a bit more limited. But nevertheless a lot of bike for the money and a great place to start without a big outlay if he is growing. Cursory ebay search brought this one up and I haven't trawled through the rest:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Btwin-tr...478532?hash=item1f11320b44:g:U38AAOSwy8Ze3Wka

 

[SlowerthanClivePlatt]

Thanks everyone!! This is so helpful. I’ll have a quick chat with my partner tonight and be back in touch - got your Dm message jp1970.