Daughter wants a road bike

[readyone]

My 15yr old daughter wants a drop bar road bike for Christmas. She currently rides a cruiser but she's seen them at school and likes the look, and she'd also like to ride with me more (I ride a flat bar hybrid on roads and bike paths). I showed her a flat bar like mine but she was adamant she wanted a drop bar.

I'm looking at entry level as I'm not 100% she'll take to it. Has to be new as it's a gift, second hand isn't an option. I've found these 3. Any advice?

https://www.reidcycles.com.au/products/ ... bike-black

https://www.samsoncycles.com.au/product ... -road-bike

https://www.99bikes.com.au/pedal-pursuit-road-bike

[warthog1]

You are braver than I.
So many shite driver incidents for me over the years I simply have not encouraged my kids to get on the road at all.
It is unsafe

Is a MTB or a dropbar gravel bike an option?
Anything to keep her away from busy roads.
So many distracted, incompetent, unsafe drivers around I want my kids nowhere near them, when so exposed from a safety perspective, on a bicycle.
Sorry if that is negative but it is the way I see it with way over 100,000 road kms by bike.

[g-boaf]

I'd be looking into the service and support options for any bike you get and resale if it doesn't work out.

It's always possible to ride on shared paths and in some areas there are decent networks of them.

I did a random look at Trek Domane and the price wasn't massive in the grand scheme of new bikes, but it was quite a bit above your options, though Trek is a fairly big name.

https://www.trekbikes.com/au/en_AU/bike ... Code=black

Merida also has options, Giant as well (maybe preferable - https://www.giant-bicycles.com/au/bikes-contend-ar).

Up to you.

I know of kids from my old cycling club that went out on road bikes without problems in this area. They mostly kept to the paths and only used roads when the parents (or other older riders) were with them. It worked out okay. One of the parents used to drive his van along on some saturday rides and stayed with them that way.

The Trek looks like it has easy options for a rack to carry things.

[Thoglette]

My 15yr old daughter .. Any advice?

Make sure it fits her. (Depending on her size you may need a bike with smaller wheels)

Start with the bars set as high as possible.

General advice: get something that will allow sensible sized tyres (at least 28mm) and avoid proprietary features (eg. BBs). Avoid “rat trap” pedals : either go clip less or flat.

Specific advice: get the one she loves.

[readyone]

Thanks everyone. While she wants the road bike anytime we go out we'd only be on suburban streets, the rest of the time it'd be bike paths - no main roads. I had a quick look at gravel bikes - I might look a bit harder.

[warthog1]

Thanks everyone. While she wants the road bike anytime we go out we'd only be on suburban streets, the rest of the time it'd be bike paths - no main roads. I had a quick look at gravel bikes - I might look a bit harder.

That sounds good.
A 15year old is unlikely to have a sufficient awareness of dangerous driver behaviour, safe lane positioning and route selection.
I'd be much more comfortable having my daughter on a bike as you describe.

I have to say gravel is sooo good from a vehicular traffic perspective.

[robbo mcs]

You are lucky you have a daughter that wants to ride a bike and do something good for her health, rather than play on her phone all day

All of the models you are looking at are low specced entry level. However, that is probably fine, as it will give her a chance to try it out, see how she likes it etc. Try and get as close as possible to the correct size. If she ends up riding a lot, then you will probably be looking at an upgrade down the line anyhow, at which stage she would have a better idea of bikefit and exactly what she wants

Depending on where you live, there should be some opportunities for good bike path riding or quiet suburban roads, without too much danger.

Worth remembering that transition to gravel is pretty easy for an experienced rider with lots of riding skills. However, for a relative novice it does introduce other problems. It can be uncomfortable. Also, bumps, potholes, loose surfaces etc increase the risk of crashes for beginners. However, a gravel bike that is ridden on sealed surfaces may still be a good idea, can be more comfortable, and allows the possibility of gravel trails down the track as skills improve. The bikes on your list would not be any good for gravel, rim brakes, cheap wheels, would be uncomfortable, and likely to fall apart

[Retrobyte]

I think if you can get past the second hand stigma you'd be able to get a really good quality bike for her at not more than the cost of a bottom of the tree new bike.

[readyone]

I think if you can get past the second hand stigma you'd be able to get a really good quality bike for her at not more than the cost of a bottom of the tree new bike.

I appreciate there's value in the second hand market, but I'm not giving her someone's used bike as her Christmas present!

[DernyDriver]

I appreciate there's value in the second hand market, but I'm not giving her someone's used bike as her Christmas present!

Think outside the square a bit. What is secondhand about a second hand bike? The saddle? Bar tape? Tyres? Worn out gears?
I recently bought a second hand red carbon Pinarello with 10 speed Ultegra running gear. The frame was unmarked. Other stuff not so great. I replaced the stem, handlebars and handlebar tape. New saddle. Swapped out the wheels for some shiny deep dish ones that I had. New tyres. Put a new cluster on with easier gears which required a new rear derailleur. The thing looked MINT. Seriously beautiful. All up cost me a grand but would put a 5 grand bike to shame. Gave it to my son's girlfriend as a surprise gift to replace her old rattler and she has it in pride of place in their lounge room. Absolutely loves it to death.

Another example. I recently bought a bike for $500 from my mate who owns a bike shop. Its a perfect new old stock aluminium frame, size small (looks very pretty) and he built it up with 10 speed Ultegra, again mostly new or almost new parts he acquired in the bike shop. He tried to sell it for $600 but couldnt. So I got it for $500. I actually took the wheels off and stripped the bike down, and put all the parts on a carbon Trek frame I had, to ride myself.
I still have the aluminium frame which could easily be built up again with some nice new parts, for roughly $500 or something.

The bikes you are looking at are 7 speed ...and heavy frames with low quality parts.
There's plenty of time before Christmas to get something really nice built or refurbished.
Ask around at some bike shops or bike mechanics.

[Wollemi]

My 15yr old daughter wants a drop bar road bike for Christmas. She currently rides a cruiser but she's seen them at school and likes the look, and she'd also like to ride with me more (I ride a flat bar hybrid on roads and bike paths). I showed her a flat bar like mine but she was adamant she wanted a drop bar.

I'm looking at entry level as I'm not 100% she'll take to it. Has to be new as it's a gift, second hand isn't an option.

I think second-hand would suit due to not being 100% she'll take to it. Gently explain that to her.
Bought my drop-bar CX second-hand - and did not think about that out on 170km in a day epics very shortly afterwards.

[DernyDriver]

... I showed her a flat bar like mine but she was adamant she wanted a drop bar.

Good. get her what she wants.
My son's girlfriend had a flat bar 7 speed steel rattler. Now on her drop bar Pinarello she absolutely loves getting in the drops and going down hills fast. Hers skills and confidence had improved heaps. Loves the racing position.

[Andy01]

I can't speak for the OP's 15 yo daughter, but I do remember when my daughter was that age (and older) - it is ALL about FORM, with FUNCTION coming a VERY poor second. I had a number of "discussions" with her about the reality (at least MY reality) that looks were not everything and she needed to get something that was practical/robust/good brand etc etc, but no, it had to look good. Thankfully at 27, she is a bit better now having learnt the hard way when she bought things with her own money that didn't quite work out.

As long as it looks good/trendy/flashy/nice colour etc etc, it will be the best bike ever (and she will love it and ride it). If it doesn't look good to HER, it will not go down very well (and it will probably sit in the garage). It doesn't matter if it is the lightest, fastest, best-shifting bike on the planet, it needs to look good to her. Ask me how I know this

So, yes, perhaps the OP could find an "as-new" looking second hand bike/frame (that she would like), and tart it up on the sly (although a bit hard to hide something the size of a bike for an extended period until Christmas), and give it to her as a "new" bike and she would love it, but there is always a risk. With a brand new bike from a decent shop, there may always be the possibility of an exchange if it wasn't quite right, or the ideal fit, but no chance with a second hand bike.

For me (as an engineer who values function over form), a great second hand bike (with much better drivetrain, brakes etc) at considerable saving would be the way to go, but I know it would not have gone down well with my daughter when she was a teenager.

[readyone]

I can't speak for the OP's 15 yo daughter, but I do remember when my daughter was that age (and older) - it is ALL about FORM, with FUNCTION coming a VERY poor second. I had a number of "discussions" with her about the reality (at least MY reality) that looks were not everything and she needed to get something that was practical/robust/good brand etc etc, but no, it had to look good.

That sounds eerily familiar. I showed her the Pedal one and the reply was, "yes exactly like that. But less blue and more purple".

[MattyK]

I think if you can get past the second hand stigma you'd be able to get a really good quality bike for her at not more than the cost of a bottom of the tree new bike.

I appreciate there's value in the second hand market, but I'm not giving her someone's used bike as her Christmas present!

Why not? You could find something in excellent condition that isn't a bottom-of-the-barrel unit like the ones you listed. A thorough clean up, maybe new cables, bar tape, and it'll work like new.
For me, ~$1000 (new) is where you'd find something actually good that will last, shift and brake well, and not weigh more than a small family car.
e.g. https://www.bikesonline.com.au/2022-pol ... -road-bike

Used you'll find stuff like this: light, good parts, good condition... (but might be the wrong size and I don't know where you are)
https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/mill-pa ... 1302504844
https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/melbour ... 1302317188
https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/nunawad ... 1301700811
etc

[DernyDriver]

I think if you can get past the second hand stigma you'd be able to get a really good quality bike for her at not more than the cost of a bottom of the tree new bike.

I appreciate there's value in the second hand market, but I'm not giving her someone's used bike as her Christmas present!

Why not? You could find something in excellent condition that isn't a bottom-of-the-barrel unit like the ones you listed. A thorough clean up, maybe new cables, bar tape, and it'll work like new.
For me, ~$1000 (new) is where you'd find something actually good that will last, shift and brake well, and not weigh more than a small family car.
e.g. https://www.bikesonline.com.au/2022-pol ... -road-bike

Used you'll find stuff like this: light, good parts, good condition... (but might be the wrong size and I don't know where you are)
https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/mill-pa ... 1302504844
https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/melbour ... 1302317188
https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/nunawad ... 1301700811
etc

I reckon you and I could live together happily ever after MattyK.
If the OP's daughter has a thing for purple, you can put purple cable, purple bar tape, a purple saddle and even purple tyres if you want.
You can personalise a second hand bike and make it look as amazing as it actually performs.
Buying a heavy cheap low quality clunker is just a waste of money.
But hey, thats just my opinion (and yours).

For those who have posted different ideas ie buy her a cheap new bike
Thats the beauty of the internet. The beauty of the BNA forum.
We can all throw our ideas out there and let the OP decide which way he will go.
It looks like he is heading in the new bike cheap bike direction.
Good luck with it.
Whatever you decide, having a 15 year old daughter wanting to ride a bike is a fabulous thing.

[g-boaf]

I also agree with Derny Driver and MattyK.

Surely nicer to be hand second hand with better spec then you'll keep it longer rather than spending money on a low end bike, then spending more on a nicer one later.

[MattyK]

Whatever you decide, having a 15 year old daughter wanting to ride a bike is a fabulous thing.

Do agree with that sentiment. So whetever it takes to get them to continue that, and not hate the experience, is important. (For all I know, what's most important might just be the right colour of bike)

I will also add that entry level shifters will probably have poor ergonomics (those 7 speed Tourney ones with the separate release lever particularly), and the brakes likely won't have much power - things to consider for a young rider that I'm guessing doesn't have the hand size and strength of the average male adult.

[NASHIE]

Agree with the guys above re 2nd hand bikes.........but that 'good' $500 2nd hand bike can quickly turn into a $700-$900+ bike if it needs tyres, chains, cassette, bar tape, shop service etc etc. If you know what your looking at 2nd hand every day of the week, if not safer to buy new, but don't scrimp. Like with most 'cheap' things its a false economy.
Maybe see if any close by bike shops have demo drop bar bikes you can try out over a couple of weekends to see if she does really like it. And a gravel bike for the win........just opens up so many riding routes to enjoy.

[baabaa]

I think if you can get past the second hand stigma you'd be able to get a really good quality bike for her at not more than the cost of a bottom of the tree new bike.

I appreciate there's value in the second hand market, but I'm not giving her someone's used bike as her Christmas present!

Hmm, the right first real bike is important to keep girls riding - from someone who has two daughters who still bike and also has taken mixed sex mid teens scout groups out on group multi day biking weekends my call is go the flat bar "all road" type of bike - at that age and with hip growth unless you strike it lucky first up, you will spend endless $$ trying to find the right saddle to suits a drop bar position so that they, girls, will feel comfy with rides of more than 30 mins. Go off tar and it becomes worse - will they complain? No not much, they just loose enthusiasm. Boys dont really care.
Apart from the riding position of the braking of drop bar levers with smaller hands lead a lot to be desired for girls so would suggest cross top levers to be fitted before the bike leaves the shop to help them feel more "in control" in stopping.

Plenty of very fancy easy to ride ( and very fast) flat bars are now about in the market that can do on tar, on bike path and even good to medium poor dirt with ease. Think the old hybrid bike which really remains a far better bike that most people need.
Something with out of the box specific womens geo and saddle really helps keep them biking from mid teen and into the twenties.
this was a very speedy search
https://www.bikesonline.com.au/2021-mar ... urban-bike

Oldest daughter has a giant Cross City W and in the mid 20s and still rides it every day and on all surfaces - but has kept her own womens saddle that suited her better from the mid teens - biking is enjoyable and very normal for her

[trailgumby]

A 15year old is unlikely to have a sufficient awareness of dangerous driver behaviour, safe lane positioning and route selection.
I'd be much more comfortable having my daughter on a bike as you describe.

I have to say gravel is sooo good from a vehicular traffic perspective.

That risk assessment ability doesn't really develop in male brains until 25. Hence it was a flat no (with explanation) when my son floated the idea of a motorbike, especially after I lost a schoolmate to one a few short years after matriculating. Not sure what the age is for females, but I doubt it would be more than a few years earlier, and definitely not 15.

Gravel sounds like a great idea, and the fact it's what all the kool kids are doing right now is a bonus.

[brumby33]

A 15year old is unlikely to have a sufficient awareness of dangerous driver behaviour, safe lane positioning and route selection.
I'd be much more comfortable having my daughter on a bike as you describe.

I have to say gravel is sooo good from a vehicular traffic perspective.

That risk assessment ability doesn't really develop in male brains until 25. Hence it was a flat no (with explanation) when my son floated the idea of a motorbike, especially after I lost a schoolmate to one a few short years after matriculating. Not sure what the age is for females, but I doubt it would be more than a few years earlier, and definitely not 15.

Gravel sounds like a great idea, and the fact it's what all the kool kids are doing right now is a bonus.

I do kind of disagree with this tg, I was only a 13yr old lad when I was riding my bike and conducting paper runs every weekday after school in busy Newcastle in the suburb of Kotara where we had light industry as well as residential, there were quiet roads and there were busy roads that I had to ride in order to deliver the afternoon papers.
This gave me a good grounding of road rules, positioning in traffic and never once had I placed myself in any danger of getting in an accident. I had only been riding a bicycle since the age of 10 so 3 years of developing the right skill set to control a bicycle.

A girl depending on their level of self-confidence but having to go with the skill set of my younger Sister, 4 years junior to me, she tended to be more nervous and timid about riding on roads than I was.
Me however went riding quite a fair way from home and to areas where I probably shouldn't have but still used my road sense and made sure car drivers knew what my intentions were, there was no aggression, no yelling to get off the road, if I had to do a right turn, I'd signal, and car drivers slowed down to allow me to come out into the centre of the road.

I know this was the early to mid 1970's and I'm aware that times had changed, more cars on the road, road conditions changed but the fundamentals have not. Kids learn quick, they can adapt quick, they just have to slow down a bit and let sink in what's going on around them. It may take a bit of teaching them but once they understand, they'll be more confident better road users and will understand the rules and when it comes time to get their vehicle licence, they only then have to learn how to control the car/ motorcycle because they already knew the rules.

First thing I'd do is to give them a copy of the road rules, as you're riding with them, quiz them on the rules as you go along, having a break etc, they'll be experts in no time and probably more mature road users than many of them that don't have a clue.

I wish more Fathers would go ride a bike with their kids, not just on bike paths but on public roads too, teach them the road rules, make them understand why rules are there and how they can make it safer for them, being predictable is super important and I'll guarantee they'll make better road users in the future.

[warthog1]

I do kind of disagree with this tg, I was only a 13yr old lad when I was riding my bike and conducting paper runs every weekday after school in busy Newcastle in the suburb of Kotara where we had light industry as well as residential, there were quiet roads and there were busy roads that I had to ride in order to deliver the afternoon papers.
This gave me a good grounding of road rules, positioning in traffic and never once had I placed myself in any danger of getting in an accident. I had only been riding a bicycle since the age of 10 so 3 years of developing the right skill set to control a bicycle.

A girl depending on their level of self-confidence but having to go with the skill set of my younger Sister, 4 years junior to me, she tended to be more nervous and timid about riding on roads than I was.
Me however went riding quite a fair way from home and to areas where I probably shouldn't have but still used my road sense and made sure car drivers knew what my intentions were, there was no aggression, no yelling to get off the road, if I had to do a right turn, I'd signal, and car drivers slowed down to allow me to come out into the centre of the road.

I know this was the early to mid 1970's and I'm aware that times had changed, more cars on the road, road conditions changed but the fundamentals have not. Kids learn quick, they can adapt quick, they just have to slow down a bit and let sink in what's going on around them. It may take a bit of teaching them but once they understand, they'll be more confident better road users and will understand the rules and when it comes time to get their vehicle licence, they only then have to learn how to control the car/ motorcycle because they already knew the rules.

First thing I'd do is to give them a copy of the road rules, as you're riding with them, quiz them on the rules as you go along, having a break etc, they'll be experts in no time and probably more mature road users than many of them that don't have a clue.

I wish more Fathers would go ride a bike with their kids, not just on bike paths but on public roads too, teach them the road rules, make them understand why rules are there and how they can make it safer for them, being predictable is super important and I'll guarantee they'll make better road users in the future.

Sorry mate, thousands of road ks here with multiple near misses, the loss of a cycling neighbour, a school lad from my son's school, a young pro I cycled with.
Over 20 years of dealing with road trauma in my job.
So, so many varied types of stupid idiocy resulting in terrible outcomes.
No way in hell would I want my 15 year old daughter placed on our congested roads with the distracted, arrogant, aggressive, incompetent drivers that are frankly so prolific.
Being a good road citizen on a bicycle on our roads will not protect you from those that are driving a lethal weapon and have no respect.
The consequences don't bear thought.

[brumby33]

I do kind of disagree with this tg, I was only a 13yr old lad when I was riding my bike and conducting paper runs every weekday after school in busy Newcastle in the suburb of Kotara where we had light industry as well as residential, there were quiet roads and there were busy roads that I had to ride in order to deliver the afternoon papers.
This gave me a good grounding of road rules, positioning in traffic and never once had I placed myself in any danger of getting in an accident. I had only been riding a bicycle since the age of 10 so 3 years of developing the right skill set to control a bicycle.

A girl depending on their level of self-confidence but having to go with the skill set of my younger Sister, 4 years junior to me, she tended to be more nervous and timid about riding on roads than I was.
Me however went riding quite a fair way from home and to areas where I probably shouldn't have but still used my road sense and made sure car drivers knew what my intentions were, there was no aggression, no yelling to get off the road, if I had to do a right turn, I'd signal, and car drivers slowed down to allow me to come out into the centre of the road.

I know this was the early to mid 1970's and I'm aware that times had changed, more cars on the road, road conditions changed but the fundamentals have not. Kids learn quick, they can adapt quick, they just have to slow down a bit and let sink in what's going on around them. It may take a bit of teaching them but once they understand, they'll be more confident better road users and will understand the rules and when it comes time to get their vehicle licence, they only then have to learn how to control the car/ motorcycle because they already knew the rules.

First thing I'd do is to give them a copy of the road rules, as you're riding with them, quiz them on the rules as you go along, having a break etc, they'll be experts in no time and probably more mature road users than many of them that don't have a clue.

I wish more Fathers would go ride a bike with their kids, not just on bike paths but on public roads too, teach them the road rules, make them understand why rules are there and how they can make it safer for them, being predictable is super important and I'll guarantee they'll make better road users in the future.

Sorry mate, thousands of road ks here with multiple near misses, the loss of a cycling neighbour, a school lad from my son's school, a young pro I cycled with.
Over 20 years of dealing with road trauma in my job.
So, so many varied types of stupid idiocy resulting in terrible outcomes.
No way in hell would I want my 15 year old daughter placed on our congested roads with the distracted, arrogant, aggressive, incompetent drivers that are frankly, prolific on our roads.
Being a good road citizen on a bicycle on our roads will not protect you from those that are driving a lethal weapon and have no respect.
The consequences don't bear thought.

Yeah I understand Warty, you're in Bendigo, are you still seeing this type of behaviour often?

I still think educating kids on bikes will make them better drivers but you can't control others and I agree. It's the ones lately that are driving after being disqualified and young teens stealing cars and doing thrill joy rides that worry me more as they're not right in the head to start with. And the ones who are stoned or drunk....usually these morons are at an age that they should be more mature.

[P!N20]

No way in hell would I want my 15 year old daughter placed on our congested roads with the distracted, arrogant, aggressive, incompetent drivers that are frankly so prolific.

I assume you wouldn't let your 15 year old daughter travel in a car either then.