Originally Posted by Gene James
Come on Dad, bite the bullet. This is an opportunity for a father & son relationship. Just pretend you're buying a second bike for yourself. You can pick up a decent road bike for $5-6 hundred from you're local LBS. Later in life, you'll feel that it was money well spent. My son rode his first century at the age of 12. He loved it.
I can't swap tires on the MTB because he's actually outgrown that anyway. LBS in the CR, and Ia City don't even take trades for used bikes. Pawn shops I've checked don't accept road bikes, only MTB's. I will be checking on possible deals in Ia City and perhaps police auctions etc but otherwise I may just do as you say and bite the bullet ans you say. How much is that kind of time spent together, father and son, worth? Priceless!