Cost of bike for 11 year old

[Salisburymumxxxx]

My son needs a new bike - how much should we be spending? The local bike shop is trying to sell us a £500 bike - is this insane or normal? It seems insane to me. Apparently there’s a bike shortage at the moment so the cheaper ones at Decathlon are all out of stock or something? Help - I know nothing about this!

We’d be happy with second hand although don’t mind new as it gets passed down to siblings and cousins.

Loads of second hand bikes around get one of those. The amount of bikes getting stolen around here at the moment there is no way I would spend more than about £150 on a bike for a child.

@Hellocatshome can you recommend makes of bike I should be looking for second hand?

BTWIN, Rockrider, Carrera, Giant, Trek, Specialized to be honest for an 11 year
old anything really, I'm assuming he won't be going actual mountain bike riding just riding around the streets with his friends?

We got some muddyfoxes because decathlon was sold out. Evans I think. They are great. Kids are a bit younger - 7 and 9 but I don't think that matters.

Have you heard of the Bike Club? You pay a monthly subscription for a bike and then you can swap that for a bigger one when needed. It takes the sting out of paying £££s for a decent bike.

Oh @LeafyBamboo that sounds interesting - will have a look.

We went on the waiting lists at decathlon and halfords and they email you when your bike is in stock.

It sold out within a few hours!

Yes to second hand too- lots bought forst lockdown .

I wouldnt spend 500.

Halfords have them in stock, mine have always had them - just make sure it's put together correctly!

I was going to ask this exact question - we’re looking for a lighter bike for a 9 year old and been told £400 at the local bike shop

I've bought our last few bikes from Facebook marketplace. We are not really a cycling family so just want something for short local journeys. I've paid around £300 for frog bikes before but only because they hold their value to sell on.

I bought my 11 year old a carrera subway, small frame (16 inch) on Facebook for £120.00 is in really good condition.

The local bike shop is trying to sell us a £500 bike - is this insane or normal

You could easily spend that on a wheel!

What sort of bike are you looking for?

It depends on the bike you want to get. To get a very light bike you're looking at dearer costs for makes like Frog, but the ones they do at Go Outdoors are very light and much cheaper. Still probably £2-300 though.

Good bikes are very expensive, if he is your oldest then you can pass them down?

The local bike shop is trying to sell us a £500 bike - is this insane or normal

You could easily spend that on a wheel!

What sort of bike are you looking for?

This! We spent more than that on Ds(11)'s bike. There is a shortage at the moment, everyone wants bikes! What will he be using it for and how often and how far? DS goes about 30-45km every weekend when it's nice weather; forest, roads and we live in a very hilly area. He will use it for school next year and it will be passed down to Dd when he's outgrown it.

I got a second hand frog for my 10 year old - perfect condition £200 (they are over £400 new). I would never dream of paying £500 unless a child was on their bike all the time. Not sure how easy it is to find second hand bikes at the moment, but I’d definitely have a look.

Depends on whether you want a bike for messing around on or actual long rides & seriously getting Into the sport .
Among the keen mountain bikers and road m cyclists I know people will think nothing of spending £1k ++ on an older child’s bike.

But if they just want it for general riding to their mate’s houses etc a much much cheaper bike is fine.

Bikes are in short supply at the moment so expect to pay more than pre-Covid

Check out the Cycle Sprog website. I spent £125 on a 2nd hand Squish bike for DS7. £500 sounds absolutely loads.

I've just spent about that for my yr 6 child. This bike is likely to last her into adulthood so I have no qulams about value over the next 10 years or so. We cycle a lot as a family and she will be using it to get to school and see friends all through high school.

We looked for ages for second hand and cheaper options but the pickings are space and the quality of some questionable so we bit the bullet and bought new.

We rent through the Bike Club (mine are a tiny bit younger so still going up through the bike sizes faster than my wallet would like) - and I really do like the build quality and weight of Frog bikes. When they get older and are out on them without us around I'll probably try to get Frogs or similar second hand because of the bike theft consideration.

I wouldn't consider paying that much unless cycling is something he really loves and is committed to.

You can buy a good Ridgeback MX24 for under £100 on eBay or Gumtree.