My 12 yr old has developed a strong affinity for road biking lately. The BMX is up for sale, the mountain bike...collecting dust. He is currently flogging a 1981 Takara, 52cm, with Suntour gear, which I am sure he will outgrow within a year, two at the most if he follows his brothers growth pattern. The big issue is that he is one handed. Born with just a right arm, left is just below elbow. Trying to configure bike to work better (and safer) for him. Step one, put front brake on the right so he has better braking, but should I get one of those gizmos that ties the two, front and back together so that BOTH activate with one hand? Shifting, currently has vintage Suntour stem shifting. He is thinking STI would work better for him, but that just does the back, front STI is tricky, so perhaps a mix of STI RD, and click shift (mt bike style) FD? Also looking at bar end shifters, or devising brakes and bar ends on an aerobar. Any suggestions? And yes, price IS a big concern in this awful economy. We've been doing 25 mile runs and one 35 mile run a couple weeks ago, building him (an me) up.
Any suggestions?