Racin Bike for 12 year old

[BrianOS]

My 12 year old has joined a cycling club and I'm looking for a good value lightweight racing bike. Any suggestions?

 

[tempessuk]

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/mc/cycle/7/Pro_Lite/Youths_Bikes_-_Over_9/

 

[punkypossum]

How tall is he? A small women's frame might fit...

 

[Ant]

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/mc/cycle/7/Pro_Lite/Youths_Bikes_-_Over_9/

LOL. I actually saw a couple of those on Sunday when I was looking around an LBS for some bits. Never seen road bikes that small before....sort of cute really

I have to say though that they looked way too small for a 12 year old, unless he was particularly little. They really were 'kiddies' bikes.

I got my first road bike when I was 12 and it was just a smaller sized adult bike...and I wasn't exactly a big 12 year old either.

 

[eldudino]

I've always thought these were nice from the EBC.

 

[jimboalee]

Chat around the other parents at the club.

Really small bikes get 'handed down' ( more like sold down ) on a regular basis.

 

[Globalti]

This is worth a look, it comes in 2 sizes: http://www.islabikes.co.uk/bike_pages/luath700.html

My son has an Islabike and it's excellent.

 

[Dave5N]

I've always thought these were nice from the EBC.

The 'youth friendly gearing' is a misrepresentation. Given it's size, you're looking at C or at best B category. With a 44 ring I'd guess you wouldn't get away with smaller than 14 on the back.

 

[Dave5N]

Islabikes are ok, unless he is very serious and racing at a high level.

In which case you can kiss goodbye to any notions of Good Value.