What bike for almost 13yr old DS

[Rollergirl11]

DS desperately needs a new bike as he’s grown quite a bit in the past few months, although he’s still small for his age. Would definitely still need to be in the junior range. He really wants a BMX but DH is saying no he needs to go with a mountain bike. We have some vouchers to go towards it. Can spend up to around £400. Are there any particular brands we should look for? I don’t want to get DS a bike that other people will laugh at him for and I know teenage boys can be quite harsh and boisterous about the bike you ride.

ds(16)'s friends had a mixture of mountain bikes and BMX, probably slightly more mountain bikes, but BMX's were not uncommon or laughed at either.

The big difference with BMX and mountain bikes are BMX are not really suited to longer rides, but are very agile and great at learning tricks on.

They are different bikes for different uses. For ds a mountain bike was best as his group weren't into tricks etc, they used the bikes more for travelling miles around town to meet up with friends to go play football. Those on BMX struggled with cycling uphill.

Look at the practical pros and cons of each bike, discuss what he needs a bike for, then let him decide as he is the one who will need to deal with the consequences.

www.hoffycycles.com.au/advice-news/bmx-vs-mountain-bike/2014/05/26/

I would also take him to an independent cycle shop (when possible).

They can talk to your ds and help with the decision between BMX and mountain bike and will size the bike correctly so you get as much use as possible out of it while he is still growing.

They might also build a bike for you with parts starting from a suitable lightweight frame height and length, and it is usually no more expensive than buying a brand name.

Possibly try Decathlon online and check out a store nearest to you as I believe they are still open as qualifying under essential purpose despite the UK wide Covid quasi lockdown. Decathlon has a big selection of all bicycle types plus all the accessories too and their own onsite workshops if required. Their own branded B'Twin has a wide price range with good value starting points to competition grade offerings.

Possibly consider and try a mountain type bicycle for all round more durable leisure activities or road racing bicycle if keen on cycling paths etc. BMX are possibly a bit niche and more suited for short rides and doing freestyle tricks in the right setting. Usually only ridden by certain demographics.

www.decathlon.co.uk/sport/c0-sports/c1-cycling/_/N-1b4ah61

If budgets are more flexible I would recommend Early Rider as higher quality incorporating a bit of innovation www.earlyrider.com

Other brands widely considered proper children bicycles with decent components and light weight are Islabike www.islabikes.co.uk and Frog www.frogbikes.co.uk

Of course mainstream brands like Cannondale and Specialise are good as most mainstream global bicycle brands are either manufactured in China or Taiwan. High street Halfords is ok for basics but normally you would get what you pay for and preowned if not recycled/stolen is another way to go.

Hope this helps and do check out the sizing guides and look for one which will grow with your child. I like Vanmoof city bicycles but I think they still don’t make smaller child frames and has gone all electric in recent years.

If he's going to ride the bike to & from & at the bmx park then he needs a stunt bmx (or race one, maybe).

When-where-how does he ever ride?

Unfortunately there's a world shortage of bikes at present so your choices may be limited.
This article has some good advice, and also discusses the option of rental.
www.cyclesprog.co.uk/bikes/best-kids-bikes/
You're always likely to get a lot more bike for your money second hand, but it can also be something of a minefield so I do understand why people prefer to buy new. For new bikes on a tight budget I would second the suggestion of Decathalon. Go Outdoors' own brand is Calibre and they make some remarkably capable mountain bikes at very reasonable prices.
What type of bike you go for very much depends on the type of riding your DS wants to do. BMX bikes are great fun for doing tricks at a skate park or similar, but remember that they are single speed. If he is going to be cycling longer distances, especially if you live somewhere hilly, then a bike with a decent range of gears would be better.