Wanted-road bike for 11 year old boy.

[Flybye]

My dear sweet son, who ran to the end of the driveway CRYING last summer on more than one occasion because he wanted to ride a road bike with me is still hounding us for a road bike. This kid rarely cries about anything!

I figured that the burning desire to have a bike would pass - he'd get an ipod or a sled or something and forget about a bike. Not.

We may be talking about the next Lance Armstrong here, so I figure that I'd better shell out some cashola and get the kiddo a bike. He also is going to graduate from Webelos to Scouts in a week and soon they will begin to work on their cycling merit badge. He would feel like the cats meow if he had a road bike and all the other kids were on their Huffy's ! I will be the merit badge counselor and will be taking the boys on their rides, which will only make his having a road bike like mom (and soon dad) sweeter.

My problem is that I don't want to spend a fortune on a bike for him - that puberty growth spurt is right around the corner. I looked in the paper, online, at thrift stores, and at two bike shops that carry used bikes several times last summer with no luck. Nothing - Nada - Zip.

Does anyone have a nice road bike that they would sell reasonably that would fit a 5'1ish boy? I would be fine with an old bike, but he wouldn't, so something *fairly* new.

Thanks for any help that you can offer. I don't know if my heart can handle another summer of him running to the end of the driveway after me crying!

[KnottedYet]

How about a Kona Jake 2-4?
It's a cyclocross bike, but easy enough to put slicks on. Even though it's kid-sized, there's nothing toy-like about it. I saw one at my LBS and thought about it for a certain petite woman I know. (she's also 5'1")

Uh-oh, I take it back. Appears Kona stopped making the Jake 2-4.

[Trek420]

I saw one at my LBS and thought about it for a certain petite woman I know. (she's also 5'1"

Awwwwww, 'zat me? I have 3 going on 4 bikes, hun

How about stopping his tears with this. I was at my LBS before x-mas, Chris Robinson of Robinson Wheelworks (Hi Chris!!!!!! ) was putting the finishing touches on a Salsa for his nephew. Seems the lucky kids Dad was in the shop and saw a little Salsa hardtail that would be perfect and dropped a hint.

Red, fast, light, climbs .... I was very tempted to get one too.

www.salsacycles.com/alacarteComp08.html

[Eden]

How much is too much?

Several manufacturers make a small road bike for kids, though at 5'1" he may fit on the smallest sizes of regular bikes too.
Trek makes the KDR
Redline the Conquest 24 (I'm 5'0" and I have one of these.... I did have to modify it a bit - longer stem because it is a little small, even for me)
Felt makes a 24" wheel kids road bike
REI has 24" kids cyclocross model too (cheaper than the others I think - maybe in the $400 range??)

new these are mostly in the $600 to $800 dollar range
They can be a bit hard to find used

oh! I think I found the perfect bike!!!
Fuji Ace 650 (its kid specific)
$380 mfg list (so Performance may sell it cheaper)
It has 650 wheels so it would be pretty suitable for a taller kid - there's also a 24" wheel version if that one is too big
http://fujibikes.com/2008/bikes.asp?id=512

[Running Mommy]

Measure him up...
Go on www.wrenchscience.com and get yourself a log in (it's free). Then you can go to the fit guide and enter all his measurements. This will give you an idea on size, reach, etc.
Once you have an idea of size for him I'd start cruising the classys. Ebay, craigslist etc.
That Fuji looks like a good bike. Perhaps you can find an online retailer.
I have a 44 inch specialized that I'd sell you, but it's been converted into my trainer bike...

[Flybye]

I found one!!!!!

Thanks so much for all of your help!

I ended up with a Dawes - not the *nicest* bike, but a GREAT beginner bike.

[tulip]

Great! Post a pic!