Recreational & Family - Need help choosing bike for 12 yr old son

Hi - I am not only new to this Forum, but also new to the world of biking. I'm looking for any suggestions/advice as to choosing a bike for my son (age 12). He's only become interested in bike riding recently, so he doesn't have a lot of experience (has only riden a friend's hand-me-down that he's now outgrown).

He absolutely loves the look of the vintage crusier-styles, but when he borrowed one to test drive, the hills in our neighborhood about did him in. He's now thinking he'll need gears, but he really doesn't like hand brakes. Do they make bikes with gears and back-pedal brakes?

We've been out looking in stores but are overwhelmed by the choices (and the prices!) Money is tight, so I am hoping to find something for under $200, if possible. He saw a Schwinn Gateway in Target that he liked, but it was too big for him at 28 inches, and they told us that style doesn't come in a 26.

I should add that this would be a strictly recreational bike, for just riding to friends' houses, the short distance to school & back, etc. We have a few bike trails in our town that he might explore also.

Any advice and suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I feel totally lost. Thanks in advance for any help!

Am not from US so can't advise on actual bikes. However, If it's hilly round your way, he does need gears. On the question of handbrakes, can I suggest that his opinion on them isn't well-founded. Coaster brakes may be good for small children who may not have the strength to use (often badly designed/made) handbrakes, but they can interfere with freewheeling and back pedalling to get them in the right position - and I guess he'll do a fair bit of that down those hills. Get one with handbrakes, he'll soon get used to them, unless he has any kind of physical problem with grip, that is.

Avoid any full-suspension mtb - those in your price range are, invariably, piles of cat poo: far too heavy, with cheap components and the suspension is more like a pogo stick, since it won't have any damping.

If there's a local bike club, try contacting their secretary. He may well know of a member who's kid has grown out of a bike suitable for your son.

When you mentioned stores, were you referring to local bike shops? (LBS in forum parlance). If not, and there is one/are some, see if they have any s/h ones they've taken in part exchange. You should then get one which will be better value for your $200.

Once you've got one for him, he will, alas, grow in independence and you'll almost certainly start worrying about his safety ;). It's always advisable for any child to be taught how to ride safely on the road. I'd recommend that he take a course using a qualified instructor from the League of American Bicyclists if there is one in your area - see http://www.bikeleague.org/programs/education/ If he has several friends round the same age, you might be able to reduce the cost by doing it as a group course.

I appreciate that online security is very important for a parent, but if you could give a general idea of your location, there might be someone on this forum who is fairly local who could give you more advice regarding local suppliers.

I bought my son Trek 3500s. 12 and 16 year olds. That way they can off road and ride on trails and stuff. The 12 year old is still learning the whole shifting gears thing, but he loves it.