Transition from Isla Luath 26, to full size, help!

WiltshireSun
WiltshireSun Posts: 5
edited August 2013 in Road buying advice
Hi everyone,

First post and need some advice. Our eldest lad is 11 and has grown out of his Luath, and almost everythig else he owns!! He's a hugely keen cyclist both on the track and on the road.

So, now to the advice, looking to spend somewhere in the region of £1k, could stretch that a little for the right bike. Have been trawling Wiggle etc, and he likes the look of the Moser, and some the Bassos that are on there. Seems like around now is quite a decent time to buy, with the 2013 bikes starting to be discounted. His track bike is a 47cm Dolan, is this a good place to look for road bikes?

He races, rides for pleasure, rides for transport, does sportives, just generally rides and rides, hence wanting this bike to be of a decent quality, whilst not spending the earth on something thats only likely to last a few years.

Thanks in advance.

Edited to add in that actualy my question is, is there really much difference in bikes at this price point? Or is it really a case of going with the one that he thinks looks best. Ideally I'd like to buy from a shop rather than online, but I'm thinking that I'm going to get a lot less for my money, as well as difficulty in finding something in an extra small size.

Comments

  • diamonddog
    diamonddog Posts: 3,426
    Dolan offer some good options and you already know the quality. Also Planet X in South Yorkshire (biased, have one)
    Ribble is another site to look at. Consider this he is still growing so it may not be long before you are spending again. :)

    Edit: The Planet X and Ribble options offer full carbon bikes at very good vfm and there are a lot of people on here that own and love 'em, all have shops that can be visited to try them. I am looking at Dolan as a future next bike purchase.
  • Take him to try some, all the brands mentioned make great bikes (oh and let me know if you are selling the Luath!)
  • i'm trying to find some shops with small enough sizes in stock, but they seem few and far between, although he has tried a Focus that he liked. Not sure on the fate of the Luath yet, he has got a younger brother (although not really into cycling) so I may hang on to it for a while.
  • diamonddog
    diamonddog Posts: 3,426
    Quite often shops will only stock the most popular sizes but if you do some measuring to ascertain what size he might need you can then search the internet rather than trawling round. Most manufacturers have a geometry chart to guide you through sizes, but I stress before buying get him to try it. Internet is also a good source for relevant measurements to take.
    Good luck and welcome to the forum.
  • gabriel959
    gabriel959 Posts: 4,227
    Hi everyone,

    First post and need some advice. Our eldest lad is 11 and has grown out of his Luath, and almost everythig else he owns!! He's a hugely keen cyclist both on the track and on the road.

    So, now to the advice, looking to spend somewhere in the region of £1k, could stretch that a little for the right bike. Have been trawling Wiggle etc, and he likes the look of the Moser, and some the Bassos that are on there. Seems like around now is quite a decent time to buy, with the 2013 bikes starting to be discounted. His track bike is a 47cm Dolan, is this a good place to look for road bikes?

    He races, rides for pleasure, rides for transport, does sportives, just generally rides and rides, hence wanting this bike to be of a decent quality, whilst not spending the earth on something thats only likely to last a few years.

    Thanks in advance.

    Edited to add in that actualy my question is, is there really much difference in bikes at this price point? Or is it really a case of going with the one that he thinks looks best. Ideally I'd like to buy from a shop rather than online, but I'm thinking that I'm going to get a lot less for my money, as well as difficulty in finding something in an extra small size.


    How about a Luath 700? He is likely to grow some more, it would be a shame to spend £1k on something he is going to outgrow in 2 years time.

    http://www.islabikes.co.uk/bike_pages/luath700lrg.html
    x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x
    Commuting / Winter rides - Jamis Renegade Expert
    Pootling / Offroad - All-City Macho Man Disc
    Fast rides Cannondale SuperSix Ultegra
  • We have looked at the Luath 700, but I'm not convinced that's it great value when compared to others on offer. The £1k is a bit of an arbitary number, I'd be equally happy to spend less if we can find something in the right size, not weiging loads!
  • diamonddog
    diamonddog Posts: 3,426
    Planet X Pro Carbon size Small - 5'3'' to 5'7'' Sizing as per their web site, full carbon with Ultegra or Sram gearing, 8kg ish, selection of frame colours, £999, free delivery if cannot be collected I think.
    Ring them and discuss his needs.
  • I know he likes the look of the Planet X, and he is just into the size guide, it does look like a good deal!
  • diamonddog
    diamonddog Posts: 3,426
    I have had one for a year now and it has been a really good buy with no problems, you will see on the discussions that people use these for racing, pleasure, sportives etc. There will also be people that don't like them but hey we are all different
    Good luck
  • diamonddog
    diamonddog Posts: 3,426
    It should last him a while if he is just into the sizing. :D