Buying 9 year old son his next bike - help

[twebbnz]

Hi all

I’m somewhat stuck on what bike to choose for my son’s 9th birthday. We don’t do any mountain biking, just fly normal road cycling while I usually run next to him. We go out on the weekends so not really used heavily although they might use them to go to school.

Which of the 3 do you recommend? I like the Apollo for the price but the Ralieigh is 5kg lighter (but obviously twice as much). Maybe the Carrera is a better option?

Apollo

Carrera

Raleigh

Any help appreciated 👍

 

[cyberknight]

Hi all

I’m somewhat stuck on what bike to choose for my son’s 9th birthday. We don’t do any mountain biking, just fly normal road cycling while I usually run next to him. We go out on the weekends so not really used heavily although they might use them to go to school.

Which of the 3 do you recommend? I like the Apollo for the price but the Ralieigh is 5kg lighter (but obviously twice as much). Maybe the Carrera is a better option?

Apollo

Carrera

Raleigh

Any help appreciated 👍

of the 3 i would go for the Raleigh , the apollo range has always been very much bargain basement , the carreras are usually better quality but both those 2 bikes are a lot heavier than the Raleigh .
If it was my money though i wouldnt bother with any of those and plump for the boardman kids bike , i have had a number of boardmans including one form 2011 thats still going strong as they are well made and a lot better quality than any of the others .
https://www.halfords.com/bikes/junior-bikes/boardman-jnr-hybrid-bike---24in-wheel-683710.html
it depends on your budget and how often your kids will want to ride and how far ? if its a quick pootle on are occasions of course it might not be worth buying a premium bike and can you trust it not to be stolen at school ? second hand might be the way to go .

 

[rockyroller]

the only appropriate bike for a 9 yr old

my kids bever got one, however

 

[DCLane]

To echo @cyberknight I'd go for the Raleigh or, if your budget is tight, a second-hand Boardman / Frog / Islabike. Lighter = easier for that age and more likely to be used.

 

[Gunk]

I'd work on a lot of kids bikes, my recommendation would be either a Frog or an Islabike, they're definitely a step up in quality with grown up components, buy a good used one and in a couple of years when he has grown out of it, you'll be selling it for what you paid for it.

Try and avoid anything with steel cranksets/chainwheels and cheap Chinese pressed steel V brakes.

 

[FishFright]

How tall is he and where about's are you based ?

I have an Islabike Bienn that fits a good range of sizes

 

[cyberknight]

the only appropriate bike for a 9 yr old
View attachment 764698
my kids bever got one, however

i had a grifter , weighed a ton but a wheelie machine

 

[Dogtrousers]

Be aware of what your son's peer group thinks is cool. I had a Raleigh Wayfarer. A fine, sensible bike. I did like it and rode it a lot, but my heart was set on the 10 speed Pugs and Raleigh "racers" that my mates had.

Mind you, kids don't hang around on their bikes so much these days do they? So maybe this isn't such an issue.

 

[cyberknight]

Be aware of what your son's peer group thinks is cool. I had a Raleigh Wayfarer. A fine, sensible bike. I did like it and rode it a lot, but my heart was set on the 10 speed Pugs and Raleigh "racers" that my mates had.

Mind you, kids don't hang around on their bikes so much these days do they? So maybe this isn't such an issue.

from what i see its all e bikes and e scooters

 

[Jameshow]

i had a grifter , weighed a ton but a wheelie machine

Me too rubbed my thumbs raw on the grips!

 

[Reynard]

I'd go for something used but in good condition, then you get more bang-for-buck. And please, avoid the Apollo - wallet-friendly it may be, but it weighs as much as a small elephant, and the components are made of cheese. It will not make for an enjoyable riding experience, and will end up sitting gathering dust. Or left in a hedge. Carreras are popular and have the "cool factor" which, alas, also makes them quite nickable.

Boardman, Frog and Islabike are good starting points. Also to look out for are the Wiggins bikes if you can find them - but the earlier blue, white & red ones, not the grey later ones, as the former are far better specced. Either the Rouen road bike or the Chartres hybrid would do, but I'd say the hybrid is more versatile.

Another option if you want new is to look at the offerings from Decathlon.

P.S. I am a shorter lady rider, and so ride junior bikes. FWIW, I have the 650c-wheeled Wiggins Rouen road bike and the 26 inch wheeled Chartres hybrid, as well as a Raleigh MTB.