Getting my 10 year old son used to riding his first road bike

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jayonabike

Powered by caffeine & whisky
Location
Hertfordshire
We have bought our son his first road bike for his 10th birthday in a couple of weeks, a dawes espoir. Currently he cycles with me on his mountain bike and can happily do 20 miles with confidance. What's the best way to teach him how to get used to a different style of riding?

jay
 
To be honest, a bike's a bike. Road may be a different discipline from mountain, but I doubt that he'll have to get 'used to it'. Are you concerned about his safety on the road?
 

summerdays

Cycling in the sun
Location
Bristol
I don't know - from comments from my friends whose children have them - they seem to need to practise the skills of looking behind and signalling again from the different position on the bike.
 

JNR

New Member
I don't know - from comments from my friends whose children have them - they seem to need to practise the skills of looking behind and signalling again from the different position on the bike.

I'd agree with this. Different positions with hands and centre of mass will be different, I find that even slight changes in my posture on the road bike change it's directions a lot.
 

jimboalee

New Member
Location
Solihull
I progressed from a rod brake 20" boys bike to a 26" youths sports tourer when I was 11.

Piece of cake.

If your lad does the same as one of my friends, he'll remember where the brakes are for sure after his first ride into a stationary car.
 
OP
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jayonabike

jayonabike

Powered by caffeine & whisky
Location
Hertfordshire
Like Summerdays said, my main concern is braking/ signaling/ looking behind from a different position on the bike. I think on his birthday we'll take a gentle cycle to the tescos down the road early in the morning (i get the feeling i'll be up early anyway) and use their car park before it gets busy so he can get the feel of the bike before we head out on the road properly.

jay
 
our son is 12 he had his first road bike from father christmas. he finds the gears hard to get right when tackling hills and his road awareness is very dodgy at times. lots of practise under close supervision is my advice. plus lots of praise! he is doing well to do 20 miles on a mountain bike so he will only improve.
 
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