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14 yr old rough on bikes.

post #1 of 8
7/6/08 at 1:12pm
Thread Starter 
My son bikes in the woods everyday ... rocks, hills, tree roots etc... you folks know the drill. He is on his third derailler in three weeks ... the shimano guts are plastic and just seem to crumple on him. He claims he is not hitting them on anything. Luckily people in our neighborhood seem to be throwing out alot of bikes lately so we have been able to score deraillers every week. The latest one we've installed is an old metal one that looks like it may last. We would like this bike to get thru the summer.

I figure the next step is to buy a new bike for next year... but man they seem pricey.

Problem is he seems to like Norco Bigfoot or Sasquatch price range ... But I'm only willing to shell out money for the Kokanee price range. I realize there is a big difference in quality, however I guess what I'm trying to ask is can a decent reliable bike for his needs be purchased at a 500 - 600 dollar Cdn range (Brand and model would be appreciated) ??

Does anyone have any suggestions ? ... Or do I bite the bullet.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

RMP
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post #2 of 8
7/6/08 at 1:31pm
Buy a SS Dirt Jump bike, maybe with a new bike he will take better care of it but a SS Dirt jumper should take all a teenage has to give. The frame will be unbrakeable, the wheels are over built, and there are no derailuers to break.
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post #3 of 8
7/6/08 at 1:51pm
Wow, you sound like one of my girlfriends. She has a 15(soon to be 16)yo son who has built a mini terrain park in the yard, complete with skinny, teetertotter, rock garden, jumps, (you name it). Not a lazy kid, and not a bad kid, but.......since he's been about oooooohhhh, 14, he's beat up every bike he's owned, including a bmx bike and mountain bike.
If I had a nickel for every time I've heard my GF say, "No, you can't take the derailer off my bike!!!", I'd be a wealthy woman.

Only suggestion I can give is, make him do all his own repairs(good learning tool) and encourage him to get a job to help pay for his parts. 14 yo's can wash dishes at the local diner
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post #4 of 8
7/6/08 at 6:03pm
Seconding the suggestion on the SS dirt jump bike. We have a DMR Trailstar that's taken tons of hits and still performs like new. In fact, said bike is now in the possesion of TrekChick's above mentioned GF. We'll see how it looks after she gets done with it.
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post #5 of 8
7/6/08 at 10:45pm
Make that a 3rd for the singlespeed. Specialized P2 or a Norco Ryde, both come with horizontal dropouts so that when the derailler breaks, it can be removed and run singlespeed. You might be able to find a used one in your area in the Buy/Sell section of Pinkbike.com.


There is something to be said about buying a durable bike, but even the best bike won't last if it isn't maintained. For a jumping bike that means checking bolts every time it's ridden at the park, keeping tires inflated and minimizing casing jumps and ditching the bike mid-air. Being smooth helps a lot. The Kokanee is not meant for the type of riding that your son is doing. He may claim he's not jumping it, but he probably is, or will be soon. The Kokanee is more meant for the 20-something looking for a "mountain bike" because they occasionally ride on red shale paths or unpaved alleys.
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post #6 of 8
7/6/08 at 10:47pm
Also, maybe something from Kona might work for your price range. The Kona Shred retails for $799, and is a pretty durable bike. Doesn't have sliding or horizontal dropouts, so if you want to run it singlespeed you'll need a tensioner. http://konaworld.com/08_shred_c.htm
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post #7 of 8
7/8/08 at 1:34am
Thread Starter 
Folks: (sorry I didn't reply sooner, things have been hectic here !)

Thanks for the help. Dirt jump bike seems like the answer, and we'll likely look ito it at a later date. Don't quite understand the no-deraillier thing cuz majority of models I'm seeing on the inet still appear to have to have them. I just have to get out to some shops and check them out "live" to understand. Funny thing is I didn't even realize there was a difference between mtn bike, jump bike, etc ... they all seem pricey, however I guess I just have to get with the times ...bikes sure have changed since I was a kid.

For the record - young lad does take care of the bike and does his own repairs (tubes, cables, minor rim straightening, tunes, etc). I got involved with derailliers cuz I had put a few away that I picked up from bikes that people were throwing out on garbage day. Ya never know when you're gonna need parts eh ? He also cuts lawns for income and has money for a new bike. He is also having a difficult time justifying the cost at this point. I think he's perfectly happy tinkering for now...besides he has new skis (Volkls) and bindings on layaway and will have to get fitted for boots in December when he knows what size his feet will be then.

Many thanks again.

RMP

Hey TC - Sorry to hear about your fall. Hope your wrist is on the mend.
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post #8 of 8
7/8/08 at 11:08am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Trekchick View Post
Wow, you sound like one of my girlfriends. She has a 15(soon to be 16)yo son who has built a mini terrain park in the yard, complete with skinny, teetertotter, rock garden, jumps, (you name it). Not a lazy kid, and not a bad kid, but.......since he's been about oooooohhhh, 14, he's beat up every bike he's owned, including a bmx bike and mountain bike.
If I had a nickel for every time I've heard my GF say, "No, you can't take the derailer off my bike!!!", I'd be a wealthy woman.

Only suggestion I can give is, make him do all his own repairs(good learning tool) and encourage him to get a job to help pay for his parts. 14 yo's can wash dishes at the local diner
What the wise woman said.
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