Bike for 14yr old

Wobblehead

Hi

My 14 year old son has decided he wants to get into mountain biking, currently has a Ridgeback MX5, XS 15'' frame which he has really quickly grown out of, will be looking to move this one on.

Took him round Gisburn red route on Sun, he borrowed my Fuel EX8 but complained that the bars were too wobbly??, maybe due to the fact they are wider than he is used to and bumpier terrain. He also got knackered quickly.

Unsure as to whether to let him keep my EX8, (allowing me a new one!!!)
Buy a budget level good bike, EX5 (10% off from LBS), Zesty 214 (shop soiled at CRC at £1300, Boardman FS team (shop soiled at £900) etc
Buy him a lighter hardtail that will be easier on his legs until he gets stronger / fitter.

I don't want to spend a fortune on a new ex8 for me and then have my 2011 model redundent if he doen not carry on with it
Not sure how much difference a ride on a entry level good bike i.e EX5 would differ from mine or would the budget components hold him back in the future.
Would he soon get fed up with a ht and want a full susser shortly.

As I've never ridden a hard tail in anger not sure what he would lose on a afternoon ride round Gisburn, dales routes, Grizedale, Whinlatter etc. We also may be going to the alps for summer holidays and fancy some MTB days, trail routes rather than full dh.

Am I stupidly looking for a one bike answer that isn't there?

Decisions, decisions any experiences or advice greatly received

Thanks

Ed

supersonic

I'd take a look at the Giant Anthem X4 if wanting a full susser. Is XC biased, but great frame, light and amazing spec for the money:

http://www.ashcycles.com/site/giant-anthem-x4-2011

Wobblehead

supersonic wrote:

I'd take a look at the Giant Anthem X4 if wanting a full susser. Is XC biased, but great frame, light and amazing spec for the money:

http://www.ashcycles.com/site/giant-anthem-x4-2011

Thanks for the response

Think I am looking for 120mm travel min, any other suggestions?

hainman

is a decathlon 9.1 full suss to cheap for your liking??i have one and its a great bike for the money @ only 700

cooldad

If he's fairly serious get him the best you can. They get fit quick at that age (as long as they stay off the crack) and skill comes quickly because they have minimal brain function and no fear.

supersonic

Why 120mm min? If considering a HT, I don't understand why you'd cut the middle out.

The Anthem is a very accomplished bike.

Wobblehead

Very good question supersonic.

The hardtail option was put in by me rather than him after he sruggled somewhat with getting my full susser round, my thinking that a lighter bike would help as well as be a cheaper option. It would also be better as a recreational bike should his interest wain.

I have been strugglng to get him to see the common sense in what he needs, initially wanted a dh bike, then I persuaded him a trail bike would be a better start point. He is hung up on catagories i.e xc, trail, all mountain, dh, despite me explaining that it is not all about travel and size. Getting him on a xc bike woud be a step too far, he would not like it from the off (mental block etc)

Ed

supersonic

Ah I see! Could look at the Trance, but tends not to be as well specced.

mountaingoatimnot

I'd get your son out a few more times on different trails to see what he likes and dislikes. You could drop on a used hardtail (17/18" frame) for little money to see how he takes to the style of bike/bigger frame and MTB in general - you could always sell it on later for minimal loss in value. Plenty of Carrera or Specialiszed or other hardtails on ebay for under £200, some nearer £100 !

KTM make some good £600-800 bikes, with good component spec , but there are very few dealers in the UK currently (Bristol and Brecon i know of). Simialrly Ram offer HT and XC model range, only using branded components, but again few dealers and supply is a bit tight.

There are some good 'bargains' if you are looking for a smaller (16.5/17) frame size from the well known internet cycle sites

.blitz

Would advise a little caution if your lad goes MTBing with his mates later on you may find that the peer pressure to get a cool bike is immense.

'Cool' in this context is a long, long way from 'best' and the best bike for your son may well end up gathering dust. Up until recently my son used to ride a completely inappropriate DJ bike around Cannock because 'trail bikes are for older people'. At the age of 16 he's matured enough to ride a proppa MTB but even that is a paint-stripped ghetto HT with bald tyres and one brake that he bought from one of his mates.

Your duty as a responsible parent is to stop it from turning into a death trap whilst at the same time keeping it 'cool'

frazered

i would say HT is the way to go, cheaper, can get round any trail centre, lighter, builds more skills

most teenagers abuse their bikes / don't maintain - so i would be also looking for something easier to maintain