airosen

Hey everyone,

So here's the deal. I'm 15, and up to now, I've been riding old MTBs. I'm looking to purchase an entry level road bike (Trek 1.2, Giant OCR 3, etc.. haven't decided yet) in the upcoming spring. My question is this: would it be stupid to buy a bike this spring, if I may still be growing a bit more? I don't see that I'll be growing more than a couple of inches, but would the bike be junk when I'm 18? Or are there enough adjustable components (seatpost, headset, stem...) that I'd be ok to grow a bit more? Because as much as I want a road bike soon, I don't want to be stuck with a ride that's too small in a few years. Opinions?
Thanks!

Adam

Bike enthusiast

I never really grew:

1) Parents are Asian
2) Dad is 5'6"
3) Mom is 4'11"

Put genetics in the mix and you get me....

Well, my deciding factor for getting a bike was during the spring (Summer break coming up, closeout deals for last year's models....)

JMT114

Since you are fifteen and probably still growing, you might want to buy a used bike as your first bike.

ChunkyB

I'd buy used entry level, because you can get a killer bike for $500. Then, if you have to replace it in a few years, it won't be a huge hit when you sell it.

Savagewolf

I'd get yourself a nice entry level road bike, such as a Trek 1000. Make sure you are fitted for it, and explain your interest in having a bike that will fit you for awhile. Maybe you should consider getting something 1cm bigger than what fits you now.

This bike (not just the 1000, whatever one you choose) will easily last you until you are 18 and really get into the sport. By that point, you should of saved up enough to get the perfect bike for yourself, and will be at your the end of your growing phase (usually) so you'll have a good fit for the lifetime of the bike.

airosen

I'm pretty short, about 5'5". Nobody in my family's pretty tall, so I don't think I'm just gonna shoot up one day. If I were to buy a bike that's a bit big in the spring, would that be a mistake? How much variation in height can a road bike handle before it becomes uncomfortable?

mgmoore7

Try to buy used (you can get alot of bike for the same $ as entry level new) or get the entry level bike. Once you are 17 or 18 and stopped growing, then likely the same bike will be able to be adjusted for any more changing that you do. I grew another 1/2" from 18-20 and my feet got bigger.

M_S

If you can't find a suitable used bike, get something a little larger than you would otherwise, but with compact or semicompact geometry, so that standover isn't an issue. You may also want a slightly shorter stem than what will come stock.

airosen

Thanks for the input so far! Yeah compact might make sense, because when I looked at some bikes earlier this year, the standover height was a bit of an issue (kind of painful ) So taking into account that I'm currently 5'5" and with pretty average proportions, what frame size would I likely fit?

the beef

I would say buy used. At 5'5", you'll want to look at (I'm guessing) 49ish cm to 52ish cm. It always depends on the rider; how you feel is the most important.

I bought my first road bike when I was 15, too! Now that I think about it, that wasn't even that long ago (I'm seventeen in a few months). My road bike was a brand new Bianchi Brava with Sora that I bought with summer job money for $700-$800. Worst decision ever - should have bought used. Could've gotten way more bike.

airosen

Cool... did you end up outgrowing that bike?

2wheeled

I agree with the mojority here, buy used and try craiglist, I see a few popping up in Toronto, and also ebay of course.

the beef

Well, it was a 52, but I wouldn't know, because I sold the thing within a few months for just under MSRP and got a used 55 Bianchi Veloce (the bike of my dreams at the time) for the same price. That one was too big, so I sold the frame for a 53 Bianchi San Lorenzo (the new bike of my dreams), which fits me quite well now.

As far as growing goes, I imagine I've put on like an inch at the max from when I bought the first bike to now. It's not enough to make a huuuge difference, and a longer stem usually does the trick. You can also swap the whole bike. See, the thing about buying used is that you can sell your stuff out for just about however much you got it for. So buy a used bike, and if you really don't like it, you don't have to lose money.

Good luck, man.

Unagidon

I'm 5.5 and I ride anywhere between 49 to 51. I've tried 52 treks and spec'd, and feel they're a bit big.

airosen

Thanks, beef.
So perhaps, I could buy a 52 cm bike and throw a shorter stem on there for now.
I wouldn't really know what to look for in terms of used bikes. Up to now, I've only considered new.
I've been eyeing the Trek 1.2, but it's not really a compact (is it?), so standover height may be an issue.

Unagidon

You can look at Giant OCR's. They're quite "compact" and their small, according to their site, should be good for people between 5.4 to 5.7. Also comes with adjustable stem, so you can flip that thing to any degree you want.

the beef

The 1.2 (or what we old fogeys used to call the '1000') is a nice bike and an obvious target for a lot of beginning cyclists (I myself considered buying a 1000 back then). But for around or over $900 when all is said and done, you can get a seriously sweet machine used. New 'low-end' bikes come with Shimano Sora, a component group that you generally want to stay away from (won't last as long, poorer quality, etc.). A used bike for $900 could easily come with Shimano 105 or even Ultegra, which are two component groups which will give you a lot more joy and happiness in the long run.

When browsing your local Craigslist or classifieds listing, just look for 1) a bike in your size, 2) made within the last couple of years, 3) with a modern integrated shifting drivetrain (usually Shimano STI) and 4) in good condition. Just keep checking every now and then and I guarantee something will come up.

ridethecliche

Last I checked, you and I weren't old fogeys. However, I agree with going used.

airosen

Now that I'm putting more thought into it, going used does make sense. My absolute maximum price is $1000 (now that the Ontario government is exempting <$1000 bikes from tax). I have absolutely no experience on EBay or Craigslist though. I was looking through both those websites yesterday, but shipping seems to be very expensive on ebay, and there's not much on craigslist.

I don't like the idea of not being able to try before I buy, and not having a professional fit. But if I can spend a fraction of the money on a better bike, I definitely should consider it.
Could I take an Ebay bike into my LBS, and get them to fit it to me? How much would that likely cost?

mimib123

I'm in your position exactly, except for I ride a hybrid now. I ordered a trek '08 1.2 a few days ago and it arrived all disassembled today. My LBS will put it together sometime after Christmas, so I only have about a week to wait. I will tell you how I like it though! It was only 699.99 too, and I have heard great things about it. Here is a video review:

https://link.brightcove.com/services/...ctid1325126655

Bon chance!

kk4df

My son bought his road bike at age 14. He's already 5'11" with a 31" inseam, and may be 6'2" or so when fully grown. The bike shop owner fitted him to the largest frame he could get him on now that would still fit well. It was a 58cm with an 80cm stem. As he grows taller, we'll lengthen the stem and raise the seat.

He says it really made a difference to get him riding a frame that fit him better. I had him on steel frame 54cm before that.

2wheeled

Yep, not much action in your area for Craiglist. I found this, but overpriced.
https://toronto.craigslist.ca/tor/bik/508787088.html

jkizzle

shop ebay for your size, this time of year bikes will be cheap.

TCR

Buy the bike now.