MTB Advice for Younger Brother

[samson99]

My brother would like to start mountain biking. At present he has a cheap (ala pick 'n pay) bike. What sort of bike should I get him? He is 14 and his inseam is 76 cm (if measured correctly).

 

 

 

Do i buy the smallest frame with good groupset adn then later upgrade or buy him a medium sith short stem and seat post? Any suggestions on make and model would be most welcome. As yet, not sure on budget.

 

 

 

Also what is a good starting point re. shock and groupset?

[samson99]

seriously, no1 has anything to say? I find that hard to believe after reading all the "talk" on the hub.

[singletrackmind]

Go for a cheap silverback or mongoose

[CharlieBoy]

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.

[droo]

Ditto on cassette and RD, also the fork. A cr@p fork makes for an unpleasant riding experience (BEWARE the Suntour XCM)

 

 

 

V brakes should be fine, but won't look as cool as discs, just make sure the brake levers and shifters mount separately for easy upgrading.

 

 

 

As for frame sizing, get one with a bit of standover clearance, but not too small if he's going to be growing a lot in the near future. Don't remember how tall I was at 14 but pretty sure i'm taller now. When he does grow, make sure you don't go over the seatpost's minimum insert line.

 

 

 

Will also second the mongoose idea, the TYAX elite is bombproof and not too pricey, and comes with decent kit.

[droo]

http://capetown.gumtree.co.za/c-Stuff-for-Sale-sports-bicycles-fitness-Mongoose-tyaxs-W0QQAdIdZ83967796

 

 

 

'goose for 3k, discs n'all...