Buying a bike for a teenager can seem like a daunting task. Teens are a tricky age group to apply a single rule to, spanning a five-year age range with huge differences between 13-year-olds and 18-year-olds. Plus, there are big variations in height and confidence between kids of the exact same age.
The following advice will deal in fundamentals so you can help your teen make the right choice (without breaking the bank):
Move on from kids bikes
First things first: teens are no longer looking at kids bikes. At this stage, they are usually shopping at the smaller sizes of our adult ranges. This gives them access to a much wider variety of styles and better components made for more specialised and longer term use.
Find the right size
The first step is to get their current height, then look at the type of bike they are interested in and see where they fit in the size range.
If they are growing and already sitting at the low end of a size range, then you are pretty safe. For example, if your teenager is 157cm tall and growing, and the suggested height range for a bike is 155cm to 163cm, then that is a safe choice.
Avoid the temptation of sizing too far ahead. Yes, teens grow incredibly quickly and in sudden bursts, but that is often hard to anticipate. Getting a bike that is too big may actually put them off riding if they cannot comfortably control it. Remember, if you need a hand figuring out the right fit, our Support team is available to help.
Choose the right style for their riding
Some teenagers are already heavily committed to a particular riding discipline and will know exactly the bike they want. In that case, they are probably the ones leading the purchase decision. If you are unsure though, and they 'just need a bike', then think generally in the following terms:
- Trails and rough paths: Are they ever likely to take the bike off-road? If yes, then maybe an entry-level mountain bike makes sense. These bikes are fine for daily city riding but can also handle weekend off-road adventures.
- Social and local rides: If they are more into road and path-based local rides to school or social activities, then perhaps a Vintage or Comfort style bike makes more sense. These bikes are very comfortable for short distances. They are also very forgiving when it comes to sizing (thanks to the upright riding position).
- Longer commutes: If your teenager rides regularly and has a bit of distance to get to school, then something a bit faster and more efficient would work. Have a look at our City and Urban ranges.
- Electric bikes: If you have the budget or think an eBike will be a much more attractive transport option to get your teens riding more then shop our Electric Bike range. Be aware of the eBike legislation as it applies to your state however and be sure to only by road legal electric bikes with certification to match. Police are now targeting younger riders on overpowered and illegal eBikes for fines and confiscation.
Keep it durable and affordable
Unless your teen is already a mad cyclist with a strong preference for a particular bike, the general advice is to buy an affordable bike with quality components. At Reid Cycles - this is our specialty!
Teens will eventually grow out of the bike, so you don’t want to spend a fortune. Plus, it will inevitably get knocked around in the school bike rack, so you want to avoid something with very expensive replacement and maintenance costs.
Choosing a bike with Shimano gearing and disc brakes will really do most jobs for a teen rider and we have plenty of bikes that fit the bill. It is much better to get something that fits well and they will enjoy riding. Shop our bikes or contact our support team if you’d like to discuss options.
Looking for somewhere to start? Shop our top picks for teen riders.
