Bikes for kids

[Zonacat]

Hi all,

Another thread inspired this post. I have been looking for a geared bike for my 7-yr-old for awhile, but everything I find is just a piece of sh*t. Too heavy, too chinzy. My kid has been riding since he could walk and currently has a Haro Nyquist R16 that he uses all over the neighborhood. I've been wanting to start getting him out on the trail lately and my question is: What is a good-to-great quality geared MTB for the wee ones?

Thanks in advance.

[cjwally]

I know that Specialized makes some good kids mtb bikes.... Check out their website.

[surlygal]

Maddie had a Marin she loves it!

Grip Shift Gears, a fork (kinda) Back brake lever, we took off the front brake (jic).

Here's the link:
http://www.marinbikes.com/2008/us/bi...loyht_kids.php

[53-12]

Second on the Marin. My son rode a 'Hidden Canyon' for a couple years until he outgrew it. Now he has a K-2, not the greatest, but its sturdy and can take some punishment.

[Hanzo]

Grandpas grandson likes his Marin as well. You may also want to check out Ibex.

http://www.ibexbikes.com/Stacks/Category_Kids-MTB.html

[DeeZee]

Originally Posted by Hanzo

Grandpas grandson likes his Marin as well. You may also want to check out Ibex.

http://www.ibexbikes.com/Stacks/Category_Kids-MTB.html

Look no further. The best bikes for kids!

[surlygal]

Maddie & Toby (shudders son) compared bikes this weekend, I caught them doing it. It was really cute.

Maddie=Marin
Toby=Ibex
What I saw=The top tube on the Marin has more slope to it (a bit more standover room). That's actually what they were measuring when I *caught* them.
Everything else was almost identical, even their little forks.

Either one is a great choice!

[DeeZee]

Originally Posted by surlygal

Maddie & Toby (shudders son) compared bikes this weekend, I caught them doing it. It was really cute.

Maddie=Marin
Toby=Ibex
What I saw=The top tube on the Marin has more slope to it (a bit more standover room). That's actually what they were measuring when I *caught* them.
Everything else was almost identical, even their little forks.

Either one is a great choice!

Nice! They must have changed for 08

The 06 looked like a heavy beast.

Agree both look great!

[EBasil]

I haven't seen the Ibex in person, but was pleasantly surprised by a little Marin I saw at an event. Most kids MTB's are criminally heavy and present a cruel opportunity for junior's bike to weigh more than Dads.

Our plan was to buy a light BMX bike w/o stunt crap on it, put super fattys, a flat bar and nice saddle to give our dude a light single or 5-speed. At the last minute, I picked up the Specialized Hot Rock 24, even though I expected it to be a boat anchor. It is not.

The HotRock has an aluminum frame, aluminum seatpost & bars, radial-laced front wheel and an RST fork that WORKS well for a 50lb kid (with lockout, even) and weighs less than a BMX bike. It uses gripshift and vee brakes, but does have mounts for discs on the frame & fork.

My son looks like a short adult on a 29'er when he's riding it, but he loves the bike and it's light enough that he can climb well with it. Our friends' kids have each ridden and raced on their slightly older version of the same bike. About $350 for the hardtail...killer bike.

[Zonacat]

I did find the Hotrock on-line at Specialized. They have an FSR version, which is tempting. Weight is the most important factor to me in this purchase.

Do you know what the hotrock hardtail weighs? I Think the FSR version comes in just over 28 lbs.

Thanks all!

[dutch]

If you're going with a 20", the trek mt.60 has been lightened up by about 4lbs. for this year over last years, and the new gary fisher precaliber is a light little bike. Specialized have always done well with their kids bikes, too.

If you're going to a 24" bike, a lot of companies will make a couple different levels, so if you get the nicer ones you'll have a great beginner bike.

[Hanzo]

Originally Posted by surlygal

Maddie & Toby (shudders son) compared bikes this weekend, I caught them doing it. It was really cute.

Maddie=Marin
Toby=Ibex
What I saw=The top tube on the Marin has more slope to it (a bit more standover room). That's actually what they were measuring when I *caught* them.
Everything else was almost identical, even their little forks.

Either one is a great choice!

Too funny. They are like us, comparing bikes only 30 years younger.

Another difference I noticed is the 20" Ibex has a granny chainring. I guess thats not an issue if your an Adams. Or maybe Neil planned it that way to make her push a harder gear.

[grandpa]

Originally Posted by Hanzo

Grandpas grandson likes his Marin as well. You may also want to check out Ibex.

http://www.ibexbikes.com/Stacks/Category_Kids-MTB.html

Yes, he does like his Marin Wildcat 24!!
Very well built bike. Talk to the guys at Adrenaline, they'll fix you up.

[EBasil]

Originally Posted by Zonacat

Do you know what the hotrock hardtail weighs? I Think the FSR version comes in just over 28 lbs.

Yeah, the FSR is waaaay too heavy. I just weighed my son's bike, with bar ends and mini toe clips added, but the bar swapped out for an old EC90. The stock bar is aluminum, but thick and heavy. Probably a zero-net after the swaps. It's 22lbs and change, with all the reflectors other than those pulled for the toeclips. It's really a cool bike.

[boludo]

MOD EDIT - Merged threads. Please use search function.

My twin 8 yr old girls have outgrown their 16" bikes. I want to get them a 20 or 24" bike with at least front sus. They dont have to be name brand.

does anyone have any suggestions as which brand to look for or maybe what size would be better or any other info.

Thanks.

Aran

[DeeZee]

Originally Posted by boludo

My twin 8 yr old girls have outgrown their 16" bikes. I want to get them a 20 or 24" bike with at least front sus. They dont have to be name brand.

does anyone have any suggestions as which brand to look for or maybe what size would be better or any other info.

Thanks.

Aran

MTB's for kids?

[Zonacat]

I think I've found what I was looking for.

What do you guys think of this bike from Scott. Just over 25 lbs and full suspension.

http://scottusa.com/category/77/spark

Looks pretty sweet too.

[speckledtrout]

wow. that is a really sweet bike. it's got some serious components on it for a starter bike! i didn't notice a price.

[Zonacat]

Originally Posted by speckledtrout

wow. that is a really sweet bike. it's got some serious components on it for a starter bike! i didn't notice a price.

I just off phone with local dealer, gulp, $999. Cough, choke, gag.

They have a version that is one step down for $469. No weight listing.

[speckledtrout]

that's what i was afraid of...when i saw the xt rear derailleur i was thinking that it might be pretty steep $ for a kids bike.