Not for me, for a mate's son who is just getting into riding on the road. He has been riding a fair amount this year and has started time trialling on a bike that put him back nearly £70! He is having great fun but trashed the bike last week as the chain stay failed with catastrophic consequences (for the bike).

Budget is £600 to £700.

The obvious choice I'd have thought would be the Boardman Team which more or less presses the buttons on every front including price.

Any ideas? (bear in mind he is growing like a weed at the moment – every time I see them he has sprouted up another few inches.)

He'd fit a 53 to 55 com frame atm.

For value for money (not a badge or boutique by any means)

7005SL Sloping Shimano Tiagra 9 Spd

or

7005 Horizontal Campagnolo 10 Spd

I'd really look at used if his serious. Proper bikes and fair deals in Cycling Weekly.

not sure if Planet-X are doign any builds at that price currently but well worth a look if they are – the geometry is great.

+1 WW

Something in the sales reduced from a grand to his budget of £700.

Evans have sales on now too.

how tall is he?

mathewshotbol not exactly sure of his height but as said in OP he'd fit a 53 to 55cm frame – or so his dad tels me.

The Boardman Team alu frame is really nice. So much lighter than equivalent competition (well, Focus, Specialized and Trek i'm aware of). Full carbon fork as well which is rare for the money. It's low and racey but if he's doing TTs already that'll suit him well.

It's got some nice details for a cheap frame too, like a boss for your race number on the top tube 😀

Still some frames left on Ribble clearance, plus good offer on forks/headset with frame

http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/assets/images/FrameClearance2010.pdf