bikes? what kind?

[gardenmom5]

what are kids riding?   we're getting a new  one for dudeling, and dh wants to get him a cruiser. (7 spd)  that just seems like an old man bike that's too heavy for a kid. (the bikes weight an average of 40lbs)  dh has talked him into thinking this is the best kind.

 

right now, he'd just be riding it around outside.  we're on a steep hill, so there aren't many kids riding bikes where we are.

 

any thoughts? 

 

ETA:  age - he's 11. not quite 5'.   I don't know if he's going to start shooting up in the next year or two - or another four years (his siblings did both of those).    all the charts say 26" wheels - and they went to the bike store that said 26" wheels.  but that still seems big to me.​

he seems to have the extra-tall extra scrawny body-type of two of my kids.  they were both nearly 6' by 8th grade.  he's been taller than them at the same age.

 

Purpose  is just for fun on paved roads/sidewalks. smooth wide dirt trails (as opposed to uneven, rocky with lots of tree roots ).  distance wouldn't be more than a couple miles at a time at most. usually less than a mile.

Edited April 16, 2016 by gardenmom5

[Daria]

How old is he (on phone so I can't see)? Has he hit his growth spurt?

 

I think a hybrid is a good choice for a kid. But if he's full height, I'd think about a road bike.

[Kalmia]

The bike store guys explained that a cruiser is a heavy bike pretty much designed for non serious riding along flat coastal boardwalks. A hybrid bike is the light, comfortable one designed for regular terrain.

[TechWife]

The bike store guys explained that a cruiser is a heavy bike pretty much designed for non serious riding along flat coastal boardwalks. A hybrid bike is the light, comfortable one designed for regular terrain.

It is the bike of choice in cities like Amsterdam and Copenhagen where cycling is the preferred method of transport. A cruiser puts you in an upright posture and is great for hauling cargo in panniers, boxes or baskets. They can go up and down hills just fine.

[TechWife]

The question that needs to be answered is: What is the primary purpose of the bike? Transportation, exercise and trail riding all have different body types and tires.

[gardenmom5]

I updated with age, height and body type.  and expected use.

[Alessandra]

The bike my Ds got when he was about the age of your dudeling was a Trek mountain bike. Great bike, stable, comfortable ride, good on and off road. When he outgrew it, he chose a Trek hybrid. It is still good off road, but requires less energy to pedal on paved surfaces than the mountain bike. The hybrid has wider tires than an on road bike, racing bike, or whatever they are called.

 

Ds uses his bike mainly on Boy Scout trips, so there is off road, dirt paths, but not really tricky obstacles and on road. His did his 50 miler with the mountain bike and was envious of those who did not have to pedal so hard, lol.

 

Other considerations are how heavy the bike is, especially if you have to transport it by car. And look at what kind of contraption fits on the back to carry gear. The mountain bike has very limited room to attach anything and panniers would not have fit at all.

 

Btw, I am not a bike expert, so I go to our local specialist bike store. We get good, solid bikes and I appreciate the advice. We also get helmets there. Safety first. But I get accessories at whatever place has the best price. Be sure to get a rear light, not usually included.

[MEmama]

It sounds like a mountain bike or hybrid would fit his needs fine. Definitely have him test it out first, as all manufactures vary in fit and specifics. Since it sounds like he won't be riding it much, I wouldn't bother with spending much on it. And because it will be outgrown soon (a given, really) you can resell it if he takes good care of it. Don't "buy up" in order to accomodate future growth.

 

My guy is a racer and we are huge safety advocates, so I'm going to put in my plea to please make sure he's a responsible rider. Helmet (that fits--seriously, have the bike shop fit him), lights, reflective or bright clothing, and following the rules of the road EVERY SINGLE TIME he goes out. It can't be overemphasized.

[Alessandra]

It sounds like a mountain bike or hybrid would fit his needs fine. Definitely have him test it out first, as all manufactures vary in fit and specifics. Since it sounds like he won't be riding it much, I wouldn't bother with spending much on it. And because it will be outgrown soon (a given, really) you can resell it if he takes good care of it. Don't "buy up" in order to accomodate future growth.

 

My guy is a racer and we are huge safety advocates, so I'm going to put in my plea to please make sure he's a responsible rider. Helmet (that fits--seriously, have the bike shop fit him), lights, reflective or bright clothing, and following the rules of the road EVERY SINGLE TIME he goes out. It can't be overemphasized.

This.

Boy Scouts emphasized safety and also being prepared (tools, pump, water bottle, spare tube, patch, etc).

 

I shudder at people who try to economize on a helmet!

[gardenmom5]

helmet isn't an issue in that it's been drilled into him  for years.  no helmet, no ride.  enforced.

 

it's 26" tires, dh is looking at 7spd "comfort" (looks just like a cruiser but with gears).  I will talk to him about a hybrid (not sure if the easier peddling is because of gears or something else.)  the hybrid is  5lbs - 10lbs lighter.  (which is appealing to me, I think it would be easier to ride.)  dh likes the heavier because it's "more stable".  I think he's still having bad memories of having been hit by a car while riding his bike.  (fortunately, minor injury.)

 

unfortunately - we have to actually order a bike because the only one they found in stock dh was happy with . . . was $1K. (from our local when you care enough to pay the most bike shop) uh, nope.  I'm not buying a super cheap one because, well, you do get what you pay for.

but I can order from a B&M so if it doesn't work it can be returned much more easily than from say . .  amazon.

[TechWife]

I think a cruiser would be fine if the dirt paths are smooth. I have a cruiser and ride it on paved streets and gravel. A hybrid would be better for the gravel, but since it isn't a frequent occurrence (maybe once a year when we go to a particular location), it isn't worth it to me to get a bike and tire that are more uncomfortable. The bottom line is that a specialty bike need not be purchased unless he is doing specialized riding.  

[MEmama]

DS (my racer) recommends a hybrid. It will be faster because of gearing and weight, and it will be more versatile for an 11 yo boy. If his buddies want to go mountain biking or just off road biking, he will be out of luck on a cruiser. If it's a possibility he will ride with friends, that might be worth thinking about. Comfort and stability aren't factors if you get the right bike, and you definitely don't need to spend much on something that will be so lightly used.

 

Do you have bike swaps in your area? Ours are held in the spring and are hugely popular. They can be a great way to try out various bikes and score a great deal (and sell his bike next year when he outgrows it). Theres no reason to spend $1000. Even my son's super sleek, feather weight racing cyclocross bike wasn't that much. It sounds to me like you are looking for something more casual, which is ideal for most recreational biking for kids his age.

 

Good luck! (And really happy to hear about the enforced helmet use! ðŸ‘)

[Guest]

Hybrid or a cruiser, if you ask me.  But ask your KID, too,because if he hates it (it's not COOOOL) he won't ride it.  :0)  

 

My son is an anomaly who loved the cruiser frame with hybrid-style tires and cantilevered pedals.  He rode it on all the Scout trips and to his job ... and with me ... for a long time.  

Some of his preference also might be related to the proportions of a given bike.  My particular son is and always has been very tall with a disproportionate amount of his height in his legs.  For him to ride a traditional road-bike or even hybrid, puts him in an awkward, and ultimately unhealthy and uncomfortable riding position.  The cruiser with "flat foot" pedals accommodates his long legs without putting him so high up that his head hits tree branches.  

 

So that matters, too.  It is worth asking your son and worth "trying on" the bike.  

 

(I got a cruiser with "flat foot" pedals shortly before he did, and for the same reason...and am a much happier biker now.)

 

If you want to see what I mean by "flat foot" pedals, take a look at this picture (which is my son's bike, although we paid nowhere near this price, used).  See how the pedals are forward from the seat, not directly under it?  This changes the geometry of the body's triangle and lets you ride in an upright position without having your seat super high off the ground.  I liked it as I got older because I grew to hate the "looking through the top of my head" position on traditional bike frames, but also didn't like my former upright bike because the tree branches on trails hit my head, I had to sit up so high (long legs)

Here is my son's bike (I can't remember how many speeds he has):  https://www.rei.com/product/868622/electra-townie-21d-bike-2015?cm_mmc=cse_PLA_GOOG-_-8686220001&CAWELAID=120217890000854885&lsft=cm_mmc:cse_PLA_GOOG

 

Here is the closest thing to my bike; they don't make my model anymore; I have 8 speeds, and again, buy used!!!   https://www.rei.com/product/885756/electra-loft-7d-womens-bike-2015