Cycling for Noobs

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chunkywizard Sep 2020 11:47am, 5 Sep 2020 9,850 posts	chunkywizard I’m buying a bike for my daughter, 13, for her birthday. She’s still growing but already 5'5” or so so into Adult frame sizes I guess. She’s says she wants a mountain bike but I think 'multi-terrain' is what she will use it for, ie just getting around, roads, paths, bridle ways etc. I was after advice of where is good to by from, makes, deals, recommendations on sizing etc. I don’t want to spend a fortune but I want something that will last her for the next good few years. Thoughts?
Dvorak Sep 2020 1:54pm, 5 Sep 2020 20,641 posts	Dvorak 1st: a bike!? You'll be lucky 2nd:. Have a look at Decathlon, then compare from there. Look at her leg length, rather than height. I'd expect her to outgrow whatever she gets now. Erm, since she's 5' 5" I'd definitely say into adult sizes - or else I (and some of the female posters on the thread) will have to go back and look at our bike choices!
Gooner Sep 2020 2:11pm, 5 Sep 2020 18,451 posts	Gooner Decathlon do seem to do solid bikes for a very reasonable price.
halfpint Sep 2020 2:22pm, 5 Sep 2020 32,281 posts	halfpint I was told beginning of month for this season’s models being in shops. I need to do a tour of LBSs.
Dvorak Sep 2020 2:44pm, 5 Sep 2020 20,642 posts	Dvorak If you're not insistent on a women's specific frame (and are also not looking at bottom dollar), something like this? decathlon.co.uk Your daughter would just be on the cusp of the small/ medium sized - not like she's going to shrink. M is even in stock! (Disclaimer: based on looking online, and having seen Decathlon bikes in general, rather than this one specifically.)
Gooner Sep 2020 2:47pm, 5 Sep 2020 18,455 posts	Gooner My sister and her husband both have a unisex mountain bike from Decathlon, the exact same model just a different frame size. They both like it.
chunkywizard Sep 2020 6:18pm, 5 Sep 2020 9,852 posts	chunkywizard Thanks everyone. Her last bike was from Decathlon so good shout. I’m guessing she might get to 6' so I was wondering if I should go bigger on the frame size and let her grow into it? I’m guessing that the seat at the lowest setting and the highest would allow for maybe 6” of growth or doesn’t it work like that?
MudMeanderer Sep 2020 8:14pm, 5 Sep 2020 1,942 posts	MudMeanderer Except maybe for a Dutch style sit-up-and-beg city bike, you may struggle with that approach to a frame size. Although we often refer to bike sizes based on the seat tube length, it's more reach (roughly speaking distance from saddle to bars) that makes a difference with modern compact geometry. If the reach is too long (likely to be the case if a too big frame is bought at first), it can be uncomfortable, causing arm and back pain, and is likely to be difficult to steer. If they get to the other extreme, they'll feel bunched up and the bike may feel very twitchy with too much weight over the front wheel. You can change reach a bit by changing the stem and bars, but beyond about 30mm difference the handling changes. A better approach if you do expect them to grow a lot would be to by something reasonably decent (some of the Decathlon bikes indicated above should work), and as long as it's looked after can be sold on for a decent portion of the original price. This happens a lot in the cycling clubs around here - bikes may be sold on several times as youngsters grow out of them.
um Sep 2020 8:21am, 6 Sep 2020 3,241 posts	um CW - try the LBS, they may have second hand ones due to the steady throughput due to growth spurts? On the Decathlon model - looks basic. In the sense of 'what else will she want?' eg mudguards, panniers/rack, bag, lights, pump. So maybe also look at the complete package, and if decathlon or LBS work out better? I've had a fairly long relationship with my LBS, through 3 children and 2 bikes of mine and mutiple accessories and services. I suspect now is the time to buy - lots of places selling old (2020) models. So some price cuts may be around.
chunkywizard Sep 2020 1:44pm, 6 Sep 2020 9,862 posts	chunkywizard LBS?