What age for a full size bike?

[daz3210]

Situation is my nephew (12 years old in December) is mad on cycling. He will go out in any weather if we let him.

Currently he is riding a cheap Toys R Us type mountain bike, but I'm think of buying him something better for his Birthday/Christmas.

But, I am reluctant to spend lots on a bike which in the fullness of time will become too small for him.

So, I'm thinking at what age would you consider a full size bike. He is average height for his age.

[Gizmoish]

Surely at any age, the correct answer is 'buy a bike that fits'?

Sadly, apart from tweaks related to stem length and saddle adjustment, there's not much you can do...

[daz3210]

Gizmoish said:

Surely at any age, the correct answer is 'buy a bike that fits'?

To a degree yes I would agree.

What set me thinking is that I was at the local sports direct yesterday, and while I wouldn't really consider buying a bike there, they were displaying bikes with 26" wheels and advertising them as suitable for a 12 year old.

[Gizmoish]

I had a bike with 26" wheels when I was 12. It was an Emmelle Cougar, iirc... weighed about the same as a small moon. Could barely lift it. Could barely get it up a hill. It's why I grew big thighs.

Buy him a heavy bike, he might become the new Hoy.

[daz3210]

It wasn't so much the weight I had thought of.

One thing I had thought of though is that currently he is pushing around 20" wheels. My thought (and I may be wrong on this) was that if he could get on a bike with 26" wheels, he would go further for less effort.

Am I right in my thinking?

[Magic919]

Have a look at Islabikes. It'll retain a bit of value for when you flog it too.

[mikecassie]

I think height would dictate timing for a full size bike. I've seen plenty teenagers taller than me..... ;-D

[RichB]

I had my first 'proper' racing bike shortly after I went to secondry school, probably about 12. It was a 10 speed Carlton.

[deckster]

At 12 he'll be too big for any 24" bike. My 10 year old - no taller than average - has pretty much outgrown his and I've had to replace the seatpost with a longer one as a stopgap. Rather shockingly, I wandered into Halfords (I know...) looking for a bike for my 8 year old daughter and the sales chappie recommended we try her on an XS (14") standard 26" bike - and it was really no different in size to the 24" that we'd just tried.

So pretty much yes, at 12 I'd definitely be looking to get full-size 26" / 700c bike. Obviously normal rules apply so don't buy without him there to size the bike in person. But then you knew that already

[blugnu]

I got a full size Peugeot Premiere (10 speed!) When I was 11. Rode it to death - I think it had the original handlebars and frame but nothing else by the time I was 15.

When I got it the seat was at it's lowest with the clamp upside down. I had to buy a bigger bike when I was 16. He'll grow into it, even if it looks odd now.

[Eddh]

I had a 26" mountain bike at 12, Quite a big frame too - it still fits now at 23!