Mountain bike or BMX for 17 yo

pandora205

Can anyone recommend somewhere that I can get a good deal on a bike for my strapping 17 year old (nearly 6' and 13 stone). He said he wants a BMX but I'm not sure if he's too old, and it'll mainly be used for him cycling to the gym a few miles away. So a mountain bike or some sort of hybrid would be fine.

I don't have too much to spend (could run to £150+ but best deal preferred) and time is limited as it's his birthday next Friday. I did look in Halfords last week but locally they seem to have sold out of their best deals, though not been back since.

Ideas please?

Thank you

TiTheRev

Im sure that if he wants a BMX then he'll be disappointed with anything else. Dave Mirra would argue you cant be too old for a BMX, he is world reknown and 34years old! Ask him what he wants and work backwards (cheaper) from there!?

pandora205

I just did and he said he wants a BMX. I'm just wondering if I can run to one (as have already ordered new World Monopoly, a couple of DVDs for a film hamper, have weight-lifting gloves and have promised a family night out (a Chinese).
Maybe I can find one second hand, though as time is short not that likely.

TiTheRev

There are few here in the sale at £150ish, but if you've already got lots you may not want to stretch to that?

pandora205

Thanks I'll have a look.
I also found what sounds like quite a good deal on a bike on Gumtree (near new - owner emigrating) for a MTB. Specialised Hard Rock 21" 2006 (owner has two another 17" but assume that is women's) for £100.

pandora205

Not quite sure what I'm looking for with BMXs as there are lots. Can you advise please?

TiTheRev

21" will be WAY too big for your son, unless he's 6'4" and mostly legs. Specialized make top quality bikes, and if he gets into mountain bikes it's easy to upgrade with a decent frame. The 17" will be ideal for him but get him to go ride it to make sure it fits him (and he likes it!).

Im 5'10" and also have a 17" frame btw.

pandora205

Thanks, though I'd prefer it to be a surprise (which doesn't seem such a good idea on reflection).

What about BMXs - what do I look for? (Sorry to keep asking questions)

TiTheRev

Mountain bikes I know, BMX not so clued up on, but looking at the page I linked you to, Haro and GT are good solid bike builders. If he doesnt know too much either I'd go with the GT, looks good and was £60 off down to £150! You can always email Winstanley and ask advice?

Is he going to be learning tricks, doing jumps etc? Or just riding it around town? If the latter then dont worry too much about top quality, but if you can get a decent one reduced like the sales, then you've got best of both world (and if he gets bored with it, you'll get more money back on it ).

pandora205

Thanks. I have already emailed Winstanley to see what they advise.

I've also popped in to my local independent cycle shop (v reliable and helpful - we've had several bikes over the years and used their repair service too). They don't have anything very cheap but I had a long discussion about the merits of BMXs and mountain bikes. I think as my son will be cycling quite some distance regularly (about 6 mile round trip to the gym) he may rethink this if he talks to them, as this would be hard work using a BMX for distances. He would enjoy doing tricks and stunts (as he used to do them years ago) but most of the time would be on cycle routes (which we have in our city) and its fairly flat too.

The guy in the shop advised their entry level bikes which are Giant Rock (21" frame 26") wheel, with aluminium frame for £185. Just checking Winstanley they have it a little cheaper but of course there would be delivery and some assembly presumably, plus I'd have lights fitted at the shop (which I may haggle over).

I've searched a bit more and this price seems to be the going rate for this model and it does seem pretty good.

They had BMXs at the shop too for a bit cheaper, though they looked very small in comparison (which they do). I think I might take my lad down to have a look, if I go in this direction.

TiTheRev

Sounds like you've done the right things there, but i'd seriously reckon 21" would be too big for him. It does sound like a BMX would not be ideal, and with a half decent MTB you can still do tricks/jumps etc

Giant are a good manufacturer, the Rock is a fair bike but reckon you could get better. This one is a better spec for less money for a start, but other shops would have similar deals. The bike world run a bit like cars in that the 2009 bikes have just started coming out now, so there are deals to be had on the 2008 version or even the 2007 version that will be considered dead stock and an 'old' decent bike will sell for quite a discount on the original RRP.