I would ABSOLUTELY get a cheap knockoff bike to make sure they enjoy the sport prior to dropping a decent bit for them to ride it for 20 minutes and realize they don't like it. Same reason I went mid grade with my PC build, vs spending $4000 on a setup to realize its really not my thing. Start small and work your way up. No one started at the top.
Or I would go 'new plastics on older bike' route. Never thought of that.
Or I would go 'new plastics on older bike' route. Never thought of that.