Aibu to not buy a new bike

[Inaminutenow]

I've just had a bit of an argument with my DS 13 about having a bike for his birthday in December. Now normally, I'd say it's a perfectly good idea to ask for a bike, but he's only just had a new bike 7 weeks ago. He never had a proper Christmas present last year, as I'd paid for him to go on a school skiing trip, which was then cancelled. During lockdown in the Summer, he used my old mountain bike, and once bikes were back in stock in Halfords, I said he could choose one in lieu of last Christmas. Paid £240, so not extremely expensive, but still. He says, as he's now 'into biking', I should sell his new bike and get him a better one £350-400. My argument is that this is not how it works, he chose the bike he's got and I would lose a fair amount in selling his bike. What would you do? Aibu?

I have a DD13 that might try this on. My reply would be no, no, no, not happening, end of. In my opinion that's brattish behaviour and teaches nothing about real life.

He's old enough to earn a lot of the money towards his dream bike.

the issue to me is that 7 weeks (over the summer period) isnt enough to establish if he will ride a bike long term.

what if you buy the expensive one and theres awful cold, wet, sluggy weather so he doesnt ride for ages then when we start getting better weather hes found a new hobby to fill his time.

As a child (and even as an adult) I flit from one thing to another every few weeks, very few hobbies hold my attention for long and my children have never focused on anything for long either except Xbox (my DS is in tonnes of clubs but he can pull out anytime with zero lost money) so I wouldnt spend £400 on a 'new' hobby, it would have to be an established lifestyle before I blow that much on anything.

Get him a new bike. The one he has may not be adequate.
I've just ordered my 3rd this year, as have taken up cycling seriously, this one will do such more.

What sort of ‘biking’ is he into? Does he need a specific type of bike to do it?

I wouldn’t get a new bike going into winter. Maybe if he’s keen all through the manky weather and proves he’s genuinely interested, then next year he could get a better one.

Give him a gift of cash - whatever you were willing to spend.

He can sell his own bike. He can then take than money and the gift of cash and buy whatever bike he wants.

Will teach him a lot - he needs to work out how to get maximum price for the bike and then be responsible for making the choice for his dream bike