Teens bike?

[ScotiaLass]

Since I've hauled my bike out the shed with the intention of cycling again, my 13 year old has shown an interest in cycling with me.
He only learned to ride a bike last year (he has dyspraxia as well as Autism and various medical issues) and he learned on second hand bikes, as he fell off a lot!

I feel it's now time for a brand new bike, and want to get him one for Christmas.
I don't know what to get him - we'll be cycling on cycle paths and perhaps canal paths, so maybe a hybrid?
Can anyone suggest a few for me to look at?

 

[Sara_H]

A hybrid sounds perfect. What size do you think he'd need? I ask only because we were recently looking for a second hand hybrid bike for my 14yo step son. Small men's frames were quite hard to come by!

As it is we were given a mountain bike by a neighbour that's a little on the large side, but we changed the saddle to one with a lower profile and he just about fits on it! And as my OH says - he's only getting bigger!

 

[outlash]

I'm in the same position with my 11 year old, a hybrid in theory would be great for him but he's going for it because it's not 'cool'. I'm thinking of buying a rigid MTB as it's got that chunky look without the extra, pointless weight that suspension brings (not that he'll need it either). Something like this: http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/..._productId_762391_langId_-1_categoryId_165499
Yeah I know it's halfords and my budget can go a bit higher but so far, this is the best I found.


Tony.