[SIZE= 14px]Fantastic that you and your husband recognize your son’s enthusiasm for cycling. That alone will give him the confidence he needs to explore the competitive side of the sport. Like all sport, at times he will be reassured of his own abilities and full of self-doubt at others. Many parents are too busy with day-to-day living to recognize and support children’s passions/interests. So kudos![/SIZE]
[SIZE= 14px]From the little information available it would be hard for anyone to provide a lot of detail for you. A good starting point is to honestly assess his current talent. By “long distanceâ€, do you mean that he has good endurance and enjoys long recreational rides without fatigue, or is he constantly pushing himself to find his limits? Will he like being in an environment where he is challenged, that is somewhat structured, and has a lot of social dynamics? If he rides solo now, the dynamics of competition and group riding may or may not be comfortable for him. If there is a cycling club or team at his school that would be an excellent place to sample competitive/group cycling. If not, a local cycling club would be worth investigating to give you and your son a feel for what he would be getting into. Local bike shops often know riders who are active in local clubs and can help you make contact.[/SIZE]
[SIZE= 14px]Choosing a bike will depend on what he is riding now and his level of talent. Some people leave fairly good quality bikes at curbside for pick up and some are not so good. A bike that fits him well, with reasonably low friction bearings in the rotating components will be a major change if he doesn’t have that now. Bearings, tires, gears, chain, pulleys are all going to wear with high mileage riding – even with a more expensive bike. There’s no current solution for that and the more expensive the components generally the more expensive they are to maintain. [/SIZE]
[SIZE= 14px]If the terrain is hilly where you live (or where he will train/race), then a bike that isn’t 30+ lbs may help him be more competitive (depending on what others are riding and the cycling discipline he participates in). At 14, he may still be in his growth spurt, so unless he’s an “undiscovered talentâ€, you will probably want to be reasonably conservative with the investment you make. If you have the funds, get him a bike that has “race proven†components and is durable. Shimano 105 components and a more popular frameset in racing circles should hold resale value better than a “no name†or components below 105 level. That can be a factor if he decides racing really isn’t his interest, or he grows out of the bike (physically or talent-wise) and you find that you or he needs to fund a replacement bike in a year or two. Like any investment it is subject to the whims of the market so spending more isn't gong to guarantee anything. Most important, go with what fits the family budget first. If he takes to racing, there will be travel expenses and other costs associated with events that you will need to be prepared for in addition to the bike. [/SIZE]
[SIZE= 14px]With regard to helmets. A helmet won’t make him “safeâ€, but it is a risk mitigation tool. His skill in handling the bike, judgment, and awareness of surroundings will be far more beneficial in determining his safety than a helmet. But in case of the unexpected, a helmet can almost always help. Snell rated helmets generally offer the highest degree of protection (as defined by testing protocols). They are generally less aerodynamic and not as cool to wear because they have fewer vent holes. Also, Snell certification is expensive and has not generated a lot of market demand over the last 20 years because of the cost and designs. Many manufacturers no longer submit for Snell certification. CPCS/ANSI is the minimum “approval†required for US sales. Non-motorsports helmets have become somewhat of a “fashion statementâ€. People don them so they don’t look like a “dope†or get ridiculed, but they have no real understanding of how and why they work. It is all about risk mitigation and “the oddsâ€. So don’t get too concerned about which helmet. Select one that is comfortable for him, fits, and meets the minimum standards at least. They are “one-strike†tools, so if he bonks it with any degree of impact – replace it. The foam cells absorb energy which helps to slow the brain speed before it slams into the skull if the head suddenly decelerates during a fall. The objective is to reduce the potential for concussion or hematoma. Once the foam cells are crushed – even a little – the intended protective value is gone or severely diminished. [/SIZE]
[SIZE= 14px]Sounds like he is gong to have a great time pursuing his passion! Nice family story.[/SIZE]
he has high functioning Autism and is VERY focused on biking and wants to take it to the next level. Any and ALL suggestions are welcome...from types of bikes to helmets to clothing. We are not rich by any means but are willing to do some overtime to get what he needs reasonably, but also want him to be safe. We are very serious about helping him with his love of cycling.
