26" or 700mm wheels for a 12 year old

[Steve vRS]

I'm on the look out for a road/CX bike for my 12 year old boy. He's 150cm tall.

The Islabike Luath 700 seems a good bike with 700cc wheels (second hand, obviously). I've just looked at the Frog website and they have a similar (and cheaper) bike but with 26" wheels.

Will the smaller wheels be a better handling bike for my lad or will the better rolling characteristics of the larger wheels be better?

He'll also continue to grow which might mean the larger wheels are future proof of course.

Steve

[PHmember]

I'd imagine the difference between the wheels would be purely down to his personal preference.

Personally if an Islabike was available I'd go for that over the cheaper bike. Cheaper won't necessarily make it better value. Plus you'll be able to sell the Islabike later at a decent price.

[richardxjr]

700c. All the kids ride them at our kids' club, loads of under 12s. Futureproof, upgrade path etc. Build (with him) with proper kit then just swap the frame out as he grows.

[Amateurish]

650C? I've got a road bike with 650C wheels. Something like this is a XS frame size:

http://www.decathlon.co.uk/triban-500-road-bike-bl...

[gazza285]

Poor choice of tyres in 26", plus if you go to 700c you have spares for your bike...