CharlieBoy

I've finally settled on Kenda Karmas after trying a host of others including Maxxi Crossmarks, Larsens, Shwalbe Racing Ralphs and a couple of others. Kenda Karma's just grip everywhere. Have to say pretty bad in clay though. Illovo Eston last week was horrific but then every tyre grabbed another 5kg of mud so can't blame the Karmas. Karmas have given me peace of mind. No punctures to date. Good grip. Just feel safe all the time.

I had never ridden a mountain bike just over 2 years ago. Started with a club ride on a Game Special with no shocks at all (R700 bike). Loved the feeling of being outdoors. Did this on 3 successive weekends and was bitten. Then was persuaded to hand over R7000 for a second hand Giant NRS (full suspension) which was a fantastic bike in its day and that decision cemented my addiction. Had I not gone for the better bike (probably worth 3 times what I paid), my experience would not have been the same. My advice is to get a good second hand bike where the price has dropped but not the value. Get an experienced friend to check it out.

1. Firstly you don't say whether he is growing fast or likely to grow tall. This makes a big difference to planning. 2. Smaller frames don't cost less than big frames. Go for something that will allow another 10cm of seatpost extraction before you hit the max point. 3. Buy a hardtail. He's only 14. 4. Get the best rear derailleur and cassette you can afford. 5. Get the best front forks you can afford. 6. Get hydraulic disc brakes if you can afford them, otherwise cable discs, otherwise V-brakes. It all depends on whether he wants to be competitive or not, or whether he will do much riding in the mud or not. 7. I estimate you can get a good 2nd hand bike for about R3-5k otherwise fork out about R5-R7k for a new bike if you want him to remain really interested. Otherwise you buy cheap, he likes cycling, you sell, value drops to 40% of purchase price and you've wasted your money. 8. I'm a Giant fan, but Mongoose, Specialised (yes), Merida and Silverback all make good entry bikes in this price range.