Big Basher Bike

By Ex Realtor

Real Estate Agent with Preview Properties, Skagit, LLC

September 15, 2006 10:24 AM

Me and my partner Kellie have been married for... well, neaerly a year now. We're both Real Estate agents. As partners, I believe we offer our clients services that only a 'married team" can provide. Well, sorry, all of that is 'off topic.'

Kellie's oldest son just turned 17. Frankly? He's a Big Boy. Even for his age, he's over 6'... and heavy. Well over the range for his height, etc. He also has 'learning issues' - that our local school is addressing via their 'Speical Ed' program. Bless them.

In the recent past, we've bought him bicycles so he could get around, visit friends, etc. But realize this: the current rage in bicycles is BMX and Mountain Bikes. All of these have special suspensions, brakes and etc that encourage a teenage boy to ... well, do what Mountain Bikes do. Jump over curbs. Pound them over bumps in the road. Pop 'Wheelies" off of driveways. You get the idea. And all of these bikes have ended up broken; and broken badly at that. To the point of pitch-and-toss into the dumpster.

It's been a rough few years since this boy hit Puberty, and got big, large, and heavy... like really fast.

For his coming birthday (Sept 20), Kellie and I shopped. We found him a "cruiser bike" - made in the style of the mid-50's. Big tires and wheels. Big handlebars. A big and wide seat.

More important: coaster brake and simple 3-speed control on the rear carrier.

None of this fancy caliper brakes, front-and-rear suspension, small wheels, and latest-rage carp that will encourage a kid to go jumping sidewalks at full-tilt-boogie.

To me, this bike looks sturdy-solid. Time will tell. Have you ever bought a similar bike for your kid? Giving them what they NEED, instead of the latest BMX stump-jumper-de-luxe?

Let me know! As usual, our website is at PreviewHomePro.com

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Geoff Thomas

Golf Savings Bank - Snoqualmie, WA

Well I don't have any kids especially not old enough for that kind of stuff only being 28 myself but this is what I think. If he loves doing those things it doesn't matter what bike you get him. He's going to try to do it anyway. If you get him a bike that is made for it it will most likely last longer than one that isn't. I know bicycles these days can get pretty spendy but what's more expensive; buying an expensive bike once that will hold up or buying a cheap one that you replace every few months? I think I'd go to some bicycle shops and do some asking around. Find him one that is going to do what he wants it to do and spend the cash up front for a good quality bike that is made to work with someone of his size. It's like in my diesel pickup performance business, I tell people they can spend $3800 for a built transmission once or they can spend $2000-$2500 on a tranny that they are going to have to spend that money again on in a few months? Not hard to see that it's going to cost WAY more in the long run going with the cheaper option.

Tell him happy birthday! Mine is the day after his! :)

Sep 15, 2006 11:42 AM

Ex Realtor

Preview Properties, Skagit, LLC - Mount Vernon, WA

FOLLOW UP - The new bike in question lasted 11 DAYS. Completely destroyed the rear hub with its internal coaster-brake.

A big kid, with no concept of consequences for certain behaviors and actions. I keep learning.

Next time he asks for a bike, I'm gonna pull out a $20 bill and light it on fire right in front of him. And explain that it's more understandable, takes less time, and is more satisfying than trying to find him another bike.

Sep 28, 2006 06:16 AM

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Ex Realtor

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