MTB replacement advice please

54and56

Hi all,

Got my 14 year old son a 2nd hand 19" Hardrock Comp Disc Mountain Bike off Adverts during the summer primarily for cycling to school a couple of KM's away. I paid €150 for it and spent another €150 on new front forks (old ones were shot) and a good service at my LBS. On the 2nd day he brought it to school it was stolen so he's been on his old bike (which is a bit too small and well worn) since as a bit of a lesson to him to be more careful with his stuff.

I think he's served his time so I'm thinking of getting him a new bike in the January sales and my budget is circa €300 to €350 max.

These are the two bikes I have shortlisted:-

1. - A Rockrider 500 MTB from Decathlon for €311 - http://www.decathlon.ie/all-sports/cycle/bikes/mountain-bikes/rockrider-500-mtb.html

2. - A Carrera Vengance from Halfords for €319 - http://www.halfords.ie/cycling/bikes/mountain-bikes/carrera-vengeance-mens-mountain-bike-2015

1 & 2 looks very similar to me in terms of Spec etc and whilst I really like Decathlon as a company (spend loads there every year on our annual French holiday) Halfords is nearby for support and servicing.

2nd hand alternatives could be:-

http://www.adverts.ie/mountain-bikes/specialised-hardrock-2011/9354969 - €250 will buy it.

http://www.adverts.ie/mountain-bikes/felt-q520-quick-sale/8058500 - €250 will buy.

For an extra €70 I think I'm better off buying new but I'd appreciate advice from those with more experience of MTB's than me!!

Cheers.

easygoing39

I'd buy the Felt,its the only one with hyd brakes.It also has Shimano hubs and WTB rims.This beats the spec of the 2 new new bikes youre looking at.But I'm not familar with the Spesh bike's wheels,but it does have a nice fork.
The 2nd hand bikes are better than the 2 new one's,spec wise and brand wise and we all know young lads like to have branded stuff!!
For me it would be the Felt,better spec and a company with a pedigree.

paul mountainbike

Halfords are not bad ,have a Carrera Fury here,excellent bike with hydralic brakes.

Specialized are well known ,my son has one i picked up off done deal,just had to replace crankset /bottom bracket as that had been butchered by previous owner,not an issue for myself as do all my own maintenance on bikes.

check out Halfords sales deals and invest in a decent shackle lock while your at it .

paul mountainbike

Halfords are not bad ,have a Carrera Fury here,excellent bike with hydralic brakes.

Specialized are well known ,my son has one i picked up off done deal,just had to replace crankset /bottom bracket as that had been butchered by previous owner,not an issue for myself as do all my own maintenance on bikes.

check out Halfords sales deals and invest in a decent shackle lock while your at it and good strength cable section to link together so wheels and frame secured.if saddle on quick release change to bolted clamp or remove saddle .

54and56

easygoing39 wrote: »

I'd buy the Felt,its the only one with hyd brakes.It also has Shimano hubs and WTB rims.This beats the spec of the 2 new new bikes youre looking at.But I'm not familar with the Spesh bike's wheels,but it does have a nice fork.
The 2nd hand bikes are better than the 2 new one's,spec wise and brand wise and we all know young lads like to have branded stuff!!
For me it would be the Felt,better spec and a company with a pedigree.

Hi Easygoing, thanks for the input, I appreciate it.

The hydraulic brakes on the Felt are a big plus all right. The only snag I see is that my son is 5ft 4" and a 19.5" (LG) frame is suitable for 5ft 10" and above. I know he's a fast growing lad but I wouldn't like to put him on a bike that's too big for him which he may struggle to control. He actually got a speed wobble (at fairly slow pace) on the Specialised and came off resulting in a dislocated knee.

JBokeh

It depends on what he is doing with it, if it is only cycling to school he will probably get away with a large frame, he will be lacking stand over, which is when you put your feet down on the ground,and straddle the top tube. If he is liable to get his bike nicked in school i'd be buying him a cheap and cheerful bike that he won't be heartbroken over, and maybe a different one for cruising around on with mates. If he also does a spot of trail riding I'd be going with a medium, or even a small.

When i'm buying a bike I make sure there is at least 10-12cm of seat post showing when adjusted to my height, it allows for ample stand over, and is where a bike's saddle is actually meant to be placed.

Second hand is the best way to go if you want to buy him a good bike,and get the most value for money