Bike for Christmas

Philå said:

Hello

I am after a bit of all your expert advice.
......
Some I have seen have the (older) res tanks on top of the breaks, some
others have the res built into and air balanced into the break.

I don't like the idea of the res on the top (Looks easy to adjust
accidently or snap off if he takes a tumble)???........

Also size 17" or 19", he is ok on a 19" with the seat right down at
the bottom (just), but he is 13, so he will be growing in the next
couple. At the moment he is more comfy on the 17"..........

Any good mail order firms, or should I go locally for the local
support?

Start with local shop, and ask hard questions about sizing and the brake
reservoirs. Assuming you get sane answers buy from them; they are more
likely to support you if you need parts/repairs/adjustments.

Internet supply is fine *if* you know exactly what is required and how to
adjust it.

Personally, I'd be going for the smaller frame unless you are really
expecting him to outgrow it very very fast.

I'm assuming you know he needs a mountain bike; on roads they are slow and
cumbersome. There will be better machines for the same budget for road
riding.

- Nigel

--
Nigel Cliffe,
Webmaster at http://www.2mm.org.uk/

Nigel Cliffe said:

Philå said:

Hello

Quoted message said:

I am after a bit of all your expert advice.
......
Some I have seen have the (older) res tanks on top of the breaks, some
others have the res built into and air balanced into the break.

Quoted message said:

I don't like the idea of the res on the top (Looks easy to adjust
accidently or snap off if he takes a tumble)???........

Quoted message said:

Also size 17" or 19", he is ok on a 19" with the seat right down at
the bottom (just), but he is 13, so he will be growing in the next
couple. At the moment he is more comfy on the 17"..........

Quoted message said:

Any good mail order firms, or should I go locally for the local
support?

Start with local shop, and ask hard questions about sizing and the brake
reservoirs. Assuming you get sane answers buy from them; they are more
likely to support you if you need parts/repairs/adjustments.

Internet supply is fine *if* you know exactly what is required and how to
adjust it.

I agree with that - a good relationship with your local bike shop is a
good idea - Many bike shops now will not service, repair or modify any
bike not bought from them - which is a real bugger, if, like mine,
your bikes are second hand and/or custom built!

On Fri, 26 Oct 2007 11:40:26 GMT, Philå <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

Hello

I am after a bit of all your expert advice.

My lad is after a bike for Christmas, I am not going to bother with all this
Toy's R Us or halfords [censored], but we have our eyes on a Giant Terrago. Now...

I know we should be looking at visiting our local shop, but I am confused
about models.

Some I have seen have the (older) res tanks on top of the breaks, some
others have the res built into and air balanced into the break.

I don't like the idea of the res on the top (Looks easy to adjust accidently
or snap off if he takes a tumble)???

So I suppose I am asking about what is best.

Also size 17" or 19", he is ok on a 19" with the seat right down at the
bottom (just), but he is 13, so he will be growing in the next couple. At
the moment he is more comfy on the 17".

Also cost, retails at £425, can get locally from a dealer for £400 cash,
probably on the internet much much cheaper?.

Any good mail order firms, or should I go locally for the local support?

Thanks in advance guys.

Will he be doing much serious off-roading?

If not, consider one of these:
www.islabikes.co.uk/bike_pages/luath700.html

With an 18" frame it should be close to perfect with plenty of room
for growth.

Philå wrote:
<snip>

Quoted message said:

Some I have seen have the (older) res tanks on top of the breaks, some
others have the res built into and air balanced into the break.
I don't like the idea of the res on the top (Looks easy to adjust
accidently or snap off if he takes a tumble)???

I think it'll be Giant's own hydraulic brake system with the reservoirs
on the top. I have them on my own Trance, moved over from my old XTC
hardtail. They certainly aren't fragile and will stand up to a good bit
of abuse.

Quoted message said:

Also size 17" or 19", he is ok on a 19" with the seat right down at the
bottom (just), but he is 13, so he will be growing in the next couple.
At the moment he is more comfy on the 17".

If he's riding around on the roads, then I'd tend to go for the 19.. if
he'll be offroad to any degree then having the capacity to lower the
saddle is very handy.. (I'm in excess of 6'4 and drop mine around 3
inches when hitting any serious offroad downhills where I might expect a
drop off!

Quoted message said:

Also cost, retails at £425, can get locally from a dealer for £400 cash,
probably on the internet much much cheaper?.

Internet is fine if you know how to build and adjust a bike yourself..
however, if the brakes / gearing etc aren't right when you take it out
of the box.. are you confident to adjust yourself? If not, buy local..
then any probs can be resolved easily. You'll also often get a free
first service with a local place.

Regards

J

Tom Crispin said:

Will he be doing much serious off-roading?

If not, consider one of these:
www.islabikes.co.uk/bike_pages/luath700.html

I used to use my 700c-wheeled bicycle for my paper round and to go to
school. Being a teenager, I buckled wheels on a regular basis. Are such
wheels rather stronger nowadays?

Cheers,
Luke

--
Red Rose Ramblings, the diary of an Essex boy in
exile in Lancashire <http://www.shrimper.org.uk>

Ekul Namsob said:

Tom Crispin said:

Will he be doing much serious off-roading?

If not, consider one of these:
www.islabikes.co.uk/bike_pages/luath700.html

I used to use my 700c-wheeled bicycle for my paper round and to go to
school. Being a teenager, I buckled wheels on a regular basis. Are
such wheels rather stronger nowadays?

There are wheels and wheels. I suspect your teenage wheels were not well
built.

My old hack bike is using the same wheels 27in (almost same size as 700c) as
I put in it in 1980, when still at school. They've been trued a few times,
and the rear is now almost shot at the rim joint, but 27 years seems decent
use.

My tourer is using the 700c wheels supplied from new in 1990. I ride it
off-road on rutted bridleways from time to time, take the odd curb (cycle
paths/bridleways ending in curbs), lots of potholes, etc. Lost two spokes
in all that time, and still run acceptably true. Rear almost at end of its
useful life due to brake wear on the rim.

My new Audax bike has 700c wheels. I think they are stronger than either of
the above two sets, as well as being lighter. But that's what you get on a
custom built cycle (and darned well should at the price).

- Nigel

--
Nigel Cliffe,
Webmaster at http://www.2mm.org.uk/

Blonde said:

Quoted message said:

Start with local shop, and ask hard questions about sizing and the
brake reservoirs. Assuming you get sane answers buy from them; they
are more likely to support you if you need parts/repairs/adjustments.

Internet supply is fine *if* you know exactly what is required and
how to adjust it.

I agree with that - a good relationship with your local bike shop is a
good idea - Many bike shops now will not service, repair or modify any
bike not bought from them - which is a real bugger, if, like mine,
your bikes are second hand and/or custom built!

My local shop has a similar policy, but are also sensibly flexible.
They do recognise that bikes are bought s/hand, and that a custom built
comes from a builder at the other end of the country. Going in and chatting
usually is enough to be accepted as a service customer.

What they refuse to touch are BSO's and stuff bought from
box-shifting-discounters with no backup/service. That includes a number of
bike shop chains and internet supply.

They've happily changed the headset on my Dean tourer recently, and I know
they'd service my Roberts if I ever need their assistance. I suspect
having clean and evidently well maintained bikes helps :-)

- Nigel

--
Nigel Cliffe,
Webmaster at http://www.2mm.org.uk/

in message <[email hidden]>, Philå

(') said:

Some I have seen have the (older) res tanks on top of the breaks, some
others have the res built into and air balanced into the break.

You're talking about hydraulic brakes, yes?

Quoted message said:

I don't like the idea of the res on the top (Looks easy to adjust
accidently or snap off if he takes a tumble)???

You don't adjust hydraulic brakes. You change the pads from time and every
couple of years or so you flush out and replace the hydraulic fluid. Apart
from that you leave them alone.

Types like Hope and Giant's own brand which have easily accessible
reservoirs on the brake lever housing are a lot easier to flush out than
types like Hayes which have effectively a plastic bag of fluid inside the
housing. But, like I say, it isn't something you have to do often.

The reservoirs are pretty robust. I've known of one smashed once, in a
crash during a 24 hour endurance event.

Quoted message said:

So I suppose I am asking about what is best.

Also size 17" or 19", he is ok on a 19" with the seat right down at the
bottom (just), but he is 13, so he will be growing in the next couple. At
the moment he is more comfy on the 17".

Then get him a 17". Boys can have nasty accidents on mountain bikes that
are too big for them.

--
[email hidden] (Simon Brooke) http://www.jasmine.org.uk/~simon/

;; making jokes about dyslexia isn't big, it isn't clever and
;; it isn't furry.

"Philå" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Hello

I am after a bit of all your expert advice.

probably on the internet much much cheaper?.

Any good mail order firms, or should I go locally for the local support?

Thanks in advance guys.

Phil

Thanks for your advice guys, we had a look at a 18" GT Avalanche (£399)
today, looked great, and suited him fine.

Do you think this will be fine, don't know much about bikes, so I am
consulting the experts.??

Am Fri, 26 Oct 2007 22:43:57 GMT schrieb PhilÅ:

Quoted message said:

Thanks for your advice guys, we had a look at a 18" GT Avalanche (£399)
today, looked great, and suited him fine.

If he feels ok on the bike - that's fine.

Quoted message said:

Do you think this will be fine, don't know much about bikes, so I am
consulting the experts.??

The more basic question is... does he really want and need a mountain bike?
These are bikes designed for offroad use. Although in the price range that
you are looking at, the components are not really suitable for serious
offroad use. On the road mountain bikes have some disadvantages - mainly
the rolling resistance of the knobbly tyres, not to mention the lacking
mudguards and the high maintenance derailleur gear. Plus they are not
equipped with lights by default.

Andreas

"Andreas Schulze-Bäing" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Am Fri, 26 Oct 2007 22:43:57 GMT schrieb PhilÅ:

Quoted message said:

Thanks for your advice guys, we had a look at a 18" GT Avalanche (£399)
today, looked great, and suited him fine.

If he feels ok on the bike - that's fine.

Quoted message said:

Do you think this will be fine, don't know much about bikes, so I am
consulting the experts.??

The more basic question is... does he really want and need a mountain
bike?
These are bikes designed for offroad use. Although in the price range that
you are looking at, the components are not really suitable for serious
offroad use. On the road mountain bikes have some disadvantages - mainly
the rolling resistance of the knobbly tyres, not to mention the lacking
mudguards and the high maintenance derailleur gear. Plus they are not
equipped with lights by default.

Andreas

I know, he has and loves his good old BMX, rides it everywhere, most days.
He has looked after it, and due to a house move his last years Xmas prezzie
was returned and he didn't get the money.. 🙁

He has looked after his BMX, he wants to go off road, and will use it off
road a lot. I fear it is a start of an expensive hobby, hmmm. I will discuss
with a shop I think.

Thanks again.

Philå said the following on 26/10/2007 12:40:

Quoted message said:

Also size 17" or 19", he is ok on a 19" with the seat right down at the
bottom (just), but he is 13, so he will be growing in the next couple.
At the moment he is more comfy on the 17".

If you want grand-children, get the correct frame size! I would have
thought 19" would be too big - I'm 6ft and although my MTB is 21", I
could really have done with 19". Unless he's especially tall for his
age, I would have thought maybe even 17" would be too big, but I
understand why you don't want to go too small.

--
Paul Boyd
http://www.paul-boyd.co.uk/

Philå said the following on 27/10/2007 00:45:

Quoted message said:

I fear it is a start of an expensive hobby, hmmm. I will
discuss with a shop I think.

What price your child's health and happiness? :-)

--
Paul Boyd
http://www.paul-boyd.co.uk/

In article <[email hidden]>, Philå
[email hidden] says...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Am Fri, 26 Oct 2007 22:43:57 GMT schrieb PhilÅ:

Quoted message said:

Thanks for your advice guys, we had a look at a 18" GT Avalanche (£399)
today, looked great, and suited him fine.

Quoted message said:

He has looked after his BMX, he wants to go off road, and will use it off
road a lot.

You already said "he is ok on a 19" with the seat right down at the
bottom (just)" - I can't help thinking that an 18" frame (or even 17"😉
is going to be way too big for off-road use.

In article <[email hidden]>,
[email hidden] says...

Quoted message said:

The more basic question is... does he really want and need a mountain bike?
These are bikes designed for offroad use. Although in the price range that
you are looking at, the components are not really suitable for serious
offroad use. On the road mountain bikes have some disadvantages - mainly
the rolling resistance of the knobbly tyres, not to mention the lacking
mudguards and the high maintenance derailleur gear. Plus they are not
equipped with lights by default.

The most important thing with a child is does he like it. We as parents
can make sure it basically OK. A GT will almost certainly be basically
OK but that's not true of all brands.

But many of the things we might think they ought to want are not what
the kids want and at the end of the day kids will ride a bike they love
and not one they don't. So, yes, a road bike with drop handlebars,
slick tyres and hub gears may theoretically be better than a mountain
bike, but there are probably few kids who would relish riding the road
bike out with their friends and it will not be used as much if at all.
Getting the right bike for the purpose can wait until later. For now
concentrate on getting something he will be proud of and enjoy riding.

From what the OP says about his BMX and with the size caveats posted, if
he likes the GT, go for it.

--
Tony

" I would never die for my beliefs because I might be wrong."
Bertrand Russell

Nigel Cliffe said:

Ekul Namsob said:

Tom Crispin said:

Will he be doing much serious off-roading?

If not, consider one of these:
www.islabikes.co.uk/bike_pages/luath700.html

I used to use my 700c-wheeled bicycle for my paper round and to go to
school. Being a teenager, I buckled wheels on a regular basis. Are
such wheels rather stronger nowadays?

There are wheels and wheels. I suspect your teenage wheels were not well
built.

They were supplied with a low-end Raleigh road bike (the Milk Race, as
it happens). I would not be too surprised to find that stronger wheels
are available.

cheers,
Luke

--
Red Rose Ramblings, the diary of an Essex boy in
exile in Lancashire <http://www.shrimper.org.uk>

Ekul Namsob said:

Tom Crispin said:

Will he be doing much serious off-roading?

If not, consider one of these:
www.islabikes.co.uk/bike_pages/luath700.html

I used to use my 700c-wheeled bicycle for my paper round and to go to
school. Being a teenager, I buckled wheels on a regular basis. Are such
wheels rather stronger nowadays?

Cheers,
Luke

the cheap 700c wheels on my hybrid seem to be staying mostly in shape,
even with my thumping them though lumpy bits now and then.

roger
--
www.rogermerriman.com