Allrounder for 14yr old recommendations/advice?

[WestOz]

Hi All,
Personally been 35 odd years since riding a bike without an engine, have an active son who's asked for an upgrade from BMX for his 14th birthday, his research seems more focused on colour.

Something appropriate for commute too/from school/work, muck about with his mates down the bush etc (all the things we did)

Been doing a few hours of research, believe a Hybrid maybe the best choice but not sure about durability of rims with occasional jumps etc? have no idea about components, what the best value for $ would be, allot of brands around now I've never heard of.

Looking at <$500, only be a couple more years until he gets his moped licence, no issue with second hand as long as its tidy, hasn't been flogged, we live south of the river Perth.

Open to all suggestions but some that have caught my eye as possible;
http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/calista/ ... 1081457694" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/rockingh ... 1082222047" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/wandi/bi ... 1082929965" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
https://www.bicyclesonline.com.au/polyg ... listscroll" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/north-da ... 1084510641" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Brand-New-Cy ... 27fe08f50b" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Cheers!

[thecaptn]

The polygon and the trek are the least horrible options IMHO, I'd go the polygon because it's new. The traditional hybrid such as the first bike on your list takes all of the worst elements of road and mtb and combines them to make what is called a grandma bike.

[MattyK]

Yeah, I wouldn't go for a hybrid for a 14 year old. It's all about how awesome* it looks, and how good it can do skids.

*substitute with current teenage adjective of choice.

Just make sure it is a good size for him.

[thecaptn]

Yeah size. If you haven't already, check his hight against a size chart and buy the next size up. He'll probably grow into it before he's worn the little stringy bits off the tyres.

[Mediocratus]

Be sure to buy it with him. It has to be what HE wants. If it isn't he won't use it. Don't buy anything from Big W, Kmart or similar. They are no good. Look for a good brand like Giant, Merida, Avanti. Look through back posts on this forum for the last couple of months and you will find plenty of tips on what to look for.

[klr_rider1]

Fashion is king with 14 year old boys.

I was talking to a Perth schoolboy attending a government high school. According to him, a schoolboy would not be seen without the latest model iPhone or Samsung 5.

Giant is a fashionable brand at the moment.

[WestOz]

Thanks guys,

He likes the look of the Polygon and Momentum - http://www.momentumbikes.com.au/momentu ... acera.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;.

Meant to add his size, currently ~175cm, almost my hight and proud to let me know with his now deep voice (I wish he was still little), his still growing, think he might take after his mums dad, 6'6".

From memory 35 odd years ago Giant was one of the un-cool brands, worse than Malvern, Diamond was the BMX $ brand to have, only avail from LBS, now its in BigW.

Rather than spending time/fuel etc going to potentially lots of homes checking out 2nd hand I'm going to take him to a few LBS today, whilst it may cost more perhaps the local after sales service, potential warranty issues etc will be beneficial, one LBS even has free maintenance classes - http://www.mbm.com.au/ecom/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Thoughts on components etc with these? - http://www.mbm.com.au/ecom/perth-bike-s ... ash=V22.P2" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[klr_rider1]

When I was a WA schoolboy, the Australian manufactured Malvern Star was THE brand.

[tgdavies]

*substitute with current teenage adjective of choice.

I think it may be 'epic'.