WTB - basic mountain bike for big 13 year old

Hello - my mate's lad is keen to get into cycling, so my mate is looking to buy him a bike. I told him that he'd be better off getting something decent and second hand and that this forum would be the place to ask so here i am! Budget is limited. Lad in question is 13, 5"9 and growing so gonna need something reasonably big. Use case is ambitions towards some bridleway/canal path touring and general offroad riding rather than getting gnarly.

Anyone got anything that might fit the bill? cheers

No-one looking to move on an old mountain bike?

I have an Astrix Union (http://www.astrixsports.com/union.html) frame I was going to build up for my daughter but probably won't get round to it, can throw in some DMR trailblade forks, probably wheels and some drivetrain parts too?

The frame has sliding dropouts to accommodate 24 or 26" wheels but I think the bolts that retain the dropout need replacing or the dropout needs rethreaded/helicoiling?

Also have a Specialized Crossroads 700c frameset which could work for the canal paths?

Thanks mate - i think we're definitely looking for full bike ready to roll if possible. My mate is relatively handy and could def handle some basic maintenance to get a bike up to standard, but has no real interest in compiling parts and building a bike up I'm afraid. cheers anyway!

https://www.lfgss.com/conversations/395352/#comment17350179

Ha, that would be my choice, but apparently my mate's lad is set on front suspension. Currently in discussion to see if that position could be moved from. As someone who personally campaigned to my folks aged 13 for a Raleigh Activator and would never have been persuaded otherwise, I feel like I know what the outcome will be....

Depending on how low the price point is, anything with front sus is gonna be more trouble than it is worth.

He could get rad on this, but suspect it is over budget, and he may not enjoy never being able to sit on a saddle.

https://www.lfgss.com/conversations/394354/#comment17335798

Yup. But do you remember being 13?

It is very top of budget, but would not meet what the actual use-case is (i.e. not the gnarly downhill riding of his fevered 13 yo imagination) which is gentle off-road/bridleway touring with his old man....

That GT you linked would be perfect. I'm hoping the rad colourway may convince him. I also have an old 90's Orange frame with front rox shox kicking about at my folks i think. Might donate the front forks to his bike in return for some dogwalking over the summer.

The best bike I had until I could buy one for myself was about £30 from Malaysia, from a brand called LeRun. It probably weighed more than me. We didn't all have parents bestowing brand-spanking new Raleigh Activators on us.

Another thing to take to therapy.

I have a Boardman MHT 8.6 hardtail that I'm looking to move on. Its an adult size Small with 29" wheels so feels bigger but if your friends son is 5.9 it might not last long. It was my sons bike but he's over 6" now with long legs so too small for him. Let me know if your interested I can take some photos

I would hope your therapist has already covered this fertile ground. If repeatedly buying the same Geekhouse isn't a cry for help, I don't know what is....

Hey - yeah, I'd def be interested in pics and price. Are you London based?

Cheers

repeatedly buying the same Geekhouse

😂😂😂😂😂

It could do with a good clean and aside from the usual nicks and scratches it's in decent condition. I'm in SE26 and lets say £280? If you're still interested I can DM some more photos.

1 Attachment

Sorry, missed this yesterday, that looks great to me, I've sent on and will be in touch. Cheers!