Cycling UK Forum

Note boy age 15 live half way up Hampstead Hill.
Journey to school mostly down hill
Journey from school to home mostly up steep hills.
I have devised a safe route.

Current bike is Halford Carrera 8x3 speed
The boy has grown need a bigger bike.
The boy has only just learnt to ride a bike a few months ago and is very nervous and timid

I would welcome coments on the text below.

Given all the factors for your son needs I would suggest the following.

Make: Ridgeback (good quality brand is imported by UK largest wholesaler)

Type: Hybrid, give all round good ride with handlebar level with or above the saddle hight with potential to fix a rear carrier so will be able to us PANNIERS
Gear: 7 or 8 x 3 range no need for more.

Size: Dependent upon inside leg measurement but allow more growth see https://www.bikester.co.uk/framesizing/singlespeed.html
THINGS TO BUY
Four-point fitting pannier rack
Panniers, the type that converts to rucksack
I like FULL length mudguards , stop you and the bike from dirty.
THINGS NOT TO BUY
Cycles with suspension, this over complicates things and unless you pay a large amount of money make the bike very heavy.
Hydric disk brakes, more difficult to maintain then cable disk brakes

Sounds fine albeit expensive

For a cheaper option buy used

viewtopic.php?f=40&t=147253

Then tell him to persuade a local mechanic/bikability instructor to teach him how to fit a rack and mudguards

(I have no connection to this seller but looks to be local to you/him and a good option at a good price if the size is right)

Steve

Here's an alternative - £475.

https://www.balfesbikes.co.uk/bikes/hyb ... rey__12593

I have nothing to add, other than to point out that despite appearances, Bikester is NOT a UK company - they're in Germany so expect delays and other Brexity shenanigans.

.... wrote: Note boy age 15 live half way up Hampstead Hill.
.... ....
I would welcome coments on the text below.
.... ....
Type: Hybrid,....

Check carefully with hybrids, they often have a near horizontal chain stay giving a high bottom bracket, which makes getting a compromise between saddle height above ground and seat to pedal distance difficult. A utility bike should really have the chain stay sloping down forwards, like a touring bike, so that the toes on the ground position is easily achieved with a good pedalling position.

As usual, if buying new, ask the supplier to quote for supply with all the components you want fitted, including mudguards and rack.

Interestingly the comment about high bottom brackets no longer seems to apply to the Dawes hybrid range, some of which, like the urban bike range, (2), come with mudguards and racks as standard (1), and both seem to have bottom brackets in similar positions, as far as the photos show.

Unfortunately only the more expensive models seem to have anything but pogo-stick handlebars. Asking the dealer about exchange for north road upturned or anything angled backwards is modification that could be worth it.

(1) https://www.tgc.bike/bikes-c10/hybrid-c ... ail-eq-p58

(2) https://www.tgc.bike/bikes-c10/urban-c5 ... ermere-p69