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Lightweight HT for teenager

larkimlarkim Posts: 2,474
edited May 2018 in MTB buying advice
Diminutive offspring is outgrowing his Frog hybrid, and he's the right size for the Frog 72 MTB

https://www.frogbikes.com/lightweight-k ... tb-72.aspx

11.5kg, 1x9, air forks, 26in wheels. £610.

Geometry as follows:-
A Wheelbase (mm) 1100
B Seat tube angle (degrees) 74
C Head tube angle (degrees) 69.5
D Effective top tube (mm) 587
E Head tube length (mm) 110
F Chain stay length (mm) 435
G Seat tube length (mm) 415
H BB to Floor (mm) 295

Is there likely to be anything of a similar weight / quality at similar (or lower) price points?

Weight is the big issue for him, he has some disabilities so lightweight and easy to use are high priorities!
2015 Canyon Nerve AL 6.0 (son #1's)
2011 Specialized Hardrock Sport Disc (son #4s)
2013 Decathlon Triban 3 (red) (mine)
2019 Hoy Bonaly 26" Disc (son #2s)
2018 Voodoo Bizango (mine)
2018 Voodoo Maji (wife's)

Posts

  • oxomanoxoman Posts: 11,746
    Not sure on your lads age or disabilities but would a full size Boardman mtb do him, my youngest shot up at 12 so got him a small framed one. He loved that and it was a good deal lighter than alot of other bikes. Dont think it will beat the frog on weight though.
    Too many bikes according to Mrs O.
  • larkimlarkim Posts: 2,474
    Inside leg is about 72cm and at around 5ft he's not going to get much taller. It might be that for his capabilities another Frog hybrid rigid bike will be more justifiable given the £300 premium. He has learning disabilities which mean he is not interested in going fast, so he certainly wouldn't ever be likely to be pushing a bike to its limits.

    I'll take a look at the Boardman options though.
    2015 Canyon Nerve AL 6.0 (son #1's)
    2011 Specialized Hardrock Sport Disc (son #4s)
    2013 Decathlon Triban 3 (red) (mine)
    2019 Hoy Bonaly 26" Disc (son #2s)
    2018 Voodoo Bizango (mine)
    2018 Voodoo Maji (wife's)
  • oxomanoxoman Posts: 11,746
    Another option is second hand adult Islabike. Just wondering why you think that with his leg length he won't grow much bigger than 5ft. He has same leg length as me and I'm 5' 8" my 12yr old is 5' 4" after shooting up overnight it seems.
    Too many bikes according to Mrs O.
  • larkimlarkim Posts: 2,474
    He's had his growth spurt we reckon. He has Down's Syndrome and turns 16 this year, and if his "spurts" follow the same as his older brother (without DS) then the growth he's done in the last 12 months to outgrow his existing bike ought to be the end of it.

    I'll have to double check the inside leg measurement again on the basis of the measurements you've given above, but I did the book against a wall thing and that's what we came up with.

    2nd hand might be the best value option in any event - Frog hybrid or Islabike. I'll take a look!
    2015 Canyon Nerve AL 6.0 (son #1's)
    2011 Specialized Hardrock Sport Disc (son #4s)
    2013 Decathlon Triban 3 (red) (mine)
    2019 Hoy Bonaly 26" Disc (son #2s)
    2018 Voodoo Bizango (mine)
    2018 Voodoo Maji (wife's)
  • oxomanoxoman Posts: 11,746
    The Islabikes will normally be slightly lighter than frogbikes but command higher prices.
    Too many bikes according to Mrs O.
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