Looking for suggestions for a bike for my son to ride to school. He’s 12 and 5’2″ (157cm), but we expect him to grow a few inches over the next two years. It’s 2 miles to school, mostly flat sidewalk, with maybe 100ft of grass hill. He’s not overweight, but he’s also not a very physical kid, so was hoping to find something that wasn’t too heavy. Budgeting hopefully around $500.
Wife wants him to have cruiser style handlebars, so that he isn’t so hunched over (and backpack doesn’t flop to the side as much). His current bike is an 8 speed, and works, but is just too small for him now to ride without hitting his knees all of the time. Was thinking an 8 speed aluminum hybrid of some sort, but I haven’t done biking in probably 25 years, so I’m not sure what’s current or sensible. When I look now, there are so many more options, and I’m not really sure where to start.
Edit: His current bike. https://guardianbikes.com/products/24-inch-bike?variant=32988825452637
by SupremeDictatorPaul
4 Comments
[How to Choose Kids Bikes](https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/kids-bikes-how-to-choose.html)
His current bike has 20″ or 24″ wheels?
Former bicycle courier here.
I find an upright position to be the worst with a backpack on. It puts all the weight on your shoulders. If you’re in a more balanced position (some weight on hands, some on pedals, some on saddle) you’re less likely to develop back problems because the weight will be better distributed. Having a sternum strap on the bag helps a lot, too.
I’m not sure what kids’ backpacks are like these days in terms of weight, but when I was that age all the way up through high school, it was a three ring binder and 4 hardcover textbooks, every day. I wouldn’t wanna ride that on my back today, either. But it’s been quite some time since I was in school. Are all textbooks just a tablet these days?
Regardless, maybe consider a front rack and/or basket so he can put his bag in that. Then you can pick riding position on preference and comfort. I think most kids (and most people for that matter) find themselves happiest on a flat or riser bar. Most any rack could be moved to a larger bike in the future, too!
Having gone through this with my 12 year old, make sure you get a bike that he absolutely wants to ride.
My boy is shorter and similarly isnt super athletic but he does like riding.
I got a 2nd hand specialized mtb with small frame. Its probably around 14kgs. I baulked at the weight as its not something i would choose to ride, but he handles it well and likes trying to do jumps.
He’s on the tall side of Adult Small and ~1″ away from breaking into an Adult medium on the Cannondale, and ~2″ away from adult small from Trek and Giant hardtails. It might be worth getting him on a nice bike if he’ll use it. I went through this with my now fifteen year-old when he was 11. He just grew out of the bike last year when his 12-year-old grew into it and then the next brother will get it. We went with a Cannondale Trail.
Giant Talon 4 in small is $570 and the ATX is $477 (the talon has disc brakes)
https://www.giant-bicycles.com/us/talon-4
Cannondale Trail 8 medium or small is $535 with disc brakes
https://www.cannondale.com/en-us/bikes/mountain/trail-bikes/trail/trail-8
Canyon Pathlite in XS is $499
https://www.canyon.com/en-us/hybrid-bikes/touring-bikes/pathlite/pathlite-al/pathlite-4/3285.html
Trek Marlin in Small is $529
https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en_US/bikes/mountain-bikes/cross-country-mountain-bikes/marlin/marlin-4-gen-2/p/29759