Is this going to get DS mugged?

[ACupOfTeaSolvesEverything]

DH is a fan of bikes. He has a Very Expensive mountain bike that he uses once every couple of years!
DS has grown out of his kids bike and needs a new bike to cycle to and from high school when he starts next September. I’ve managed to convince my 6ft husband that no our 4ft8 son can’t “just use Dad’s bike” so DH is going to buy him one of his own. Fine. But he is looking at spending up to £1000. On a bike for an 11 year old to ride to school. We live in an averagely nice area but AIBU that this is going to make DS a target? I don’t want him to get knifed for his bike!!

At 11 years old, he has a lot of growing to do, so, risk of mugging aside, surely it's a huge waste of money to spend 1k on something that he'll probably outgrow in a year?

Your DH is daft and if he was a fan of bikes then he would know that you have one for daily riding around that is cheap n cheerful, then you have the specialised ones for road riding, downhill etc. and then you have the ones for spare parts and the one you're in the middle of building...

Can you tell my DH likes bikes?

@icedcoffees

At 11 years old, he has a lot of growing to do, so, risk of mugging aside, surely it's a huge waste of money to spend 1k on something that he'll probably outgrow in a year?

at 11 he can go on a 28 frame that grows with him.

It would where I live, bike theft is common. Kids get their bikes stolen from them at the park regularly.

A bike that's going to be parked at school practically needs to be uglified to avoid theft and violence. Your DH will make your son a target and the bike won't last a week

at 11 he can go on a 28 frame that grows with him.

It doesn't need to cost 1k though!

@Flowers500

Well I live in London, but my first thoughts was is he trying to get him killed?! Sending a child out alone with something like that is just a disaster waiting to happen. Designer dogs, Rolexes and fancy bikes are all prime targets and things you wouldn’t wave around in a dark area alone…

This is what would worry me. Having it stolen when it’s locked up outside school is one thing but some of these muggers are violent and shameless. Being attacked physically and having the bike stolen from his hands (even if he isn’t badly hurt) would be so terrifying for a young boy.

My son rides a good bike but it wasn’t too expensive. Good thing because I think next year he’ll need a new one if he keeps growing like he is!

The worst thing you can do to a kid is buying them something unnecessarily expensive then go on and on at them to ‘keep it safe’. That just breeds anxiety (I talk from experience). So either go cheaper (and it may still get nicked) or spend the money and pray.

As a mother whose son was surrounded by a gang who attempted to take his bike on the way home from school (and then had his bike stolen anyway a month later), I will say this:

Get a simple good bike- not flashy- no gears. Get him a good, reliable bike that is his (not dad's!) but is at lower risk of being stolen and more importantly, doesn't draw unwanted attention (i.e. a gang surrounding him and trying to steal his bike off him on a dark winter's afternoon).

Just get a secondhand bike.

By the way, my son's bike was £400 and I thought that was extortionate (it was!). Do NOT spend a great deal on a bike for your DS.

Why on earth would a father make his child a target ? Crazy dangerous idea

Nope, YANBU. Bikes get stolen all the time, naice area or not. It's too much pressure on a child, having something so expensive.

I think yanbu too for the same reasons....first is the risk to the child, second is how fast they grow.

nice areas are rich pickings because people think they are safe
get him the cheapest bike you can and spend more on a helmet

My absolutely favourite bike, and I have never found one as comfortable, was an second hand jobby with a sprung leather seat.

@CharityDingle

Nope, YANBU. Bikes get stolen all the time, naice area or not. It's too much pressure on a child, having something so expensive.

I think blokes sometimes don't see risks like women do. The only staff member in my work team (NHS) who ever got attacked was a man and he was built like a brick outhouse. We had excellent lone worker training and policies (community work) and when we discussed it afterwards he admitted that as a man he had felt a bit immune from attack.

yadnbu
Your DH is very unwise.

Right I’ve talked DH down to under £350. I’ve also measured DS and he’s 4ft10 so big enough for the smallest adult bike. I’ve seen one for 280 that looks good and a much more sensible price point. Thanks to the poster who mentioned carrera bikes, now I think about it I’ve seen lots of those parked outside the Spar up the road so it’s obviously the bike of choice round here too. School have locked bike sheds, it’s someone mugging him for it that was worrying me!

Why potentially make an 11yo a target?
Spend less. Besides,he'll grow out of it.

I wouldn’t they get damaged in the bike sheds, stolen and at that age they grow quickly so it won’t last. My Dad leg my son ride his very expensive road bike, he was knocked off and caused a lot of damage which being an expensive bike was expensive to have repaired.

I think Carrera bikes come from Halfords, also decathlon might be quite good (they have been for none bike related ski equipment I have bought)

Get a cheaper bike and spend the money on a good helmet and lights. I suspect DH is just relishing buying a new bike and not thinking who it's for, where and how it will be used and where it will be left unattended (even if chained).

Not worth the chance!

I live in a leafy commuter town and bike theft is endemic. Bike thieves travel here just to nick bikes. No bike is safe let alone one expensive ones.