Claude Butler bike for a 10 year old

jph2910

I'm considering buying a Claude Butler bike for my 10 yr old son, wheel size 24", aluminium frame, price approx. £200. Does anyone have experience of this brand? Any positive or negative feedback would be helpful!

fnegroni

I think most people would agree Islabikes represent the best you can buy.

This is what Islabikes recommends for kids 9+ who want to do some serious mountain biking:
http://www.islabikes.co.uk/bike_pages/creig26.html

This is what they recommend for serious road riding for kids 9+:
http://www.islabikes.co.uk/bike_pages/luath26.html

Both have 26inch wheels. Infact, I remember I was quite small as a child and a 26" Specialized Hardrock XXS frame fitted me just fine at that age.

I wonder if 24" wheels would be too small. Add to that the additional trouble finding 24" tyres/tubes.

Any more details about what style bike and budget you want for your son?

Also, what kind of riding will he be doing?

Can you afford to buy two bikes: one that he wants ('cool'), and one that he actually needs ('boring but right')

jph2910

Hi there, I did look on the Isla bikes website, but what my son needs is something inbetween a road and serious mountain bike. Most of his cycling will be on off-road cycle paths, usually asphalt, gravel or compacted hardcore. He won't be going through thick mud or over rocky ground. I believe this type of bike is sometimes called 'trekking' or hybrid, but there don't seem to be any in this category specifically for children.
Halfords recommended a small men's MTB - an Apollo with 14" aluminium frame, 26" wheels, and front suspension only, and suggested changing the tyres for hybrid tyres to give more speed on relatively smooth surfaces. My son tried sitting on it and could reach the floor and handlebars, but it was a bit of a stretch, which is why I was considering a slightly smaller bike. The Apollo was originally over £200 but is currently on sale. I didn't really want to spend much over £200.
Any advice would be much appreciated!

dsmiff

Sound's like reasonable advise from Halfords, just change the tyres.

Got my lad a small ladies bike 26" wheels (14" frame).

But the best advise would probably be just get an isla bike http://www.islabikes.co.uk/bike_pages/beinn26.html - nothing comes close, plus they have a high re-sale value.

fnegroni

dsmiff wrote:

But the best advise would probably be just get an isla bike http://www.islabikes.co.uk/bike_pages/beinn26.html - nothing comes close, plus they have a high re-sale value.

Indeed, unless the kid will be doing serious off-road, the front suspension is useless and infact can be a hindrance to learn correct positioning during cornering off-road.

secretsam

@ jph2910 - Apollo bikes are total garbage and should be avoided at all costs

baudman

fnegroni wrote:

I wonder if 24" wheels would be too small. Add to that the additional trouble finding 24" tyres/tubes

Wheel size doesn't really make that much difference. A few of my bikes have 20" wheels. Are capable of pretty-much anything. But, as you say, I'd be more concerned regarding the non-standard sizing and availability of replacements. It's not a BIG issue, if the bike really suits, but it is something you need to keep in mind.

jph2910 wrote:

Hi there, I did look on the Isla bikes website, but what my son needs is something inbetween a road and serious mountain bike. Most of his cycling will be on off-road cycle paths, usually asphalt, gravel or compacted hardcore. He won't be going through thick mud or over rocky ground.

A kid's road bike could handle that fine. (So could most adult's road bikes, for that matter - perhaps not really light/expensive ones). However, the handling/braking using drops verses a flat or riser bar may be a more important factor.

I agree with the statements above regarding suspension. Pretty-much all cheap suspension is rubbish, adds weight and removes performance.

But, overriding ALL of this. Your lad has to like/want the bike. If he doesn't like it, he'll be less likely to ride it. And... unfortunately, his friends' opinions of the bike may (or may not) have something to do with it.

Then again, if he blows them all away with his speed/handling... well... that'll speak for itself eh?

andrewc3142

My 10 year has the Luath 26, mainly for road use, but also canal paths, forest tracks etc and handles these absolutely fine. I got a second pair of wheels and so he can swap quickly between road and off road tyres depending on where we are going - cheaper than a second bike.

Can't fault the bike and at least my kid considers it very cool, as do all his buddies - esp with the drops and spds.

His bro will shortly be getting the Beinn 26 small for his 8th birthday.