[update] any hybrid/mtn bike recommendations for kids?

Guitar Heel

Guitar Heel

Demented Trick
Seb has a bike, but it's an absolute shit burger. He's 9 and growing fast, so I'd be looking for something inexpensive/used or maybe something a little nicer that he could grow into a bit. Still a pretty small dude.

I used to know quite a bit about adult-sized bikes, but I've had the same ones for so long, that I'm out of touch with the market.

Any brands/models that your kids have tried that you like? I'd like it to be on the lighter side for him. His current tiny bike must weigh 50 lbs. But for the madness, I'd hit a few local shops and look around. As it is, I may wind up checking out craigslist.
 
Guitar Heel said:
Seb has a bike, but it's an absolute shit burger. He's 9 and growing fast, so I'd be looking for something inexpensive/used or maybe something a little nicer that he could grow into a bit. Still a pretty small dude.

I used to know quite a bit about adult-sized bikes, but I've had the same ones for so long, that I'm out of touch with the market.

Any brands/models that your kids have tried that you like? I'd like it to be on the lighter side for him. His current tiny bike must weigh 50 lbs. But for the madness, I'd hit a few local shops and look around. As it is, I may wind up checking out craigslist.
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Any mountain bike with an aluminum frame. Aluminum is the best bang for buck lightweight material. For some reason manufacturers make kids mountain bikes super heavy with steel. But they grow out of their bikes so quick it’s hard to justify expensive materials and top grade components. Ironically kids would benefit most from a lighter, easy shifting bike.

I would avoid hybrids unless you have some specific reason.


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rickenvox said:
Any mountain bike with an aluminum frame. Aluminum is the best bang for buck lightweight material. For some reason manufacturers make kids mountain bikes super heavy with steel. But they grow out of their bikes so quick it’s hard to justify expensive materials and top grade components. Ironically kids would benefit most from a lighter, easy shifting bike.

I would avoid hybrids unless you have some specific reason.


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Click to expand...
yeah, no reason except that we're going to do quite a bit of pavement riding, but a little mountain bike is almost certainly the answer. And yep, aluminum was my thought too. Found a Diamondback Line 24 (or the precursor to that model) locally. I may check that one out.
 
Guitar Heel said:
yeah, no reason except that we're going to do quite a bit of pavement riding, but a little mountain bike is almost certainly the answer. And yep, aluminum was my thought too. Found a Diamondback Line 24 (or the precursor to that model) locally. I may check that one out.
Click to expand...

Mountain bike is better for kids because the fat tires will absorb a lot of shock if they go off a curb or hit a pothole.


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At age 9, I would think a decent used BMX bike would do the trick. Some real brand such as GT, Haro, Trek, Giant, etc. Rather than a K-mart or Target special that weighs 50 lbs. as you say. Rugged, larger tires, save the gears for when the kid is a teen or so. Less to futz with. Throw your helmet on, throw the leg over, and ride.

That was how I grew up, but before BMX bikes were as commonly available in WA, when we took our old Schwinn Stingrays and stripped them down from all the extra fenders, banana seats, sissy bars, fenders and stuff and put on a "10 speed" seat and new handlebars, and just rode everywhere on them.

Little kid mountain bikes seem to be heavy, and have crappy parts that need adjusting a lot.


Something like a used, or even new on sale one of these linked below. I like to look at Giant, Trek, Specialized as they are massive and have good buying power so you get a good bang for your buck.

https://www.giant-bicycles.com/us/bikes/kids-bikes/bmx
"From tricks and flips to shredding dirt, these kids’ BMX bikes are all about action. Made with lightweight yet rugged frames and components, our collection of BMX bikes for kids is ready to rip."

We did graduate our kids to little Raleigh MTB's we found in demo stock from a local shop. when the kids got to be a little older. Something similar would work also. But I would stick with 1x drivetrains rather than anything with a front derailleur. Pretty sure those were 24" wheel bikes. Those took our kids a long way also, until we got them full sized sometime between middle school and high school, at which point I bought used.
 
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sunvalleylaw said:
At age 9, I would think a decent used BMX bike would do the trick. Some real brand such as GT, Haro, Trek, Giant, etc. Rather than a K-mart or Target special that weighs 50 lbs. as you say. Rugged, larger tires, save the gears for when the kid is a teen or so. Less to futz with. Throw your helmet on, throw the leg over, and ride.

That was how I grew up, but before BMX bikes were as commonly available in WA, when we took our old Schwinn Stingrays and stripped them down from all the extra fenders, banana seats, sissy bars, fenders and stuff and put on a "10 speed" seat and new handlebars, and just rode everywhere on them.

Little kid mountain bikes seem to be heavy, and have crappy parts that need adjusting a lot.


Something like a used, or even new on sale one of these linked below. I like to look at Giant, Trek, Specialized as they are massive and have good buying power so you get a good bang for your buck.

https://www.giant-bicycles.com/us/bikes/kids-bikes/bmx
"From tricks and flips to shredding dirt, these kids’ BMX bikes are all about action. Made with lightweight yet rugged frames and components, our collection of BMX bikes for kids is ready to rip."

We did graduate our kids to little Raleigh MTB's we found in demo stock from a local shop. when the kids got to be a little older. Something similar would work also. But I would stick with 1x drivetrains rather than anything with a front derailleur. Pretty sure those were 24" wheel bikes. Those took our kids a long way also, until we got them full sized sometime between middle school and high school, at which point I bought used.
Click to expand...
Are BMX bikes single speed only?
 
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Guitar Heel said:
Seb has a bike, but it's an absolute shit burger. He's 9 and growing fast, so I'd be looking for something inexpensive/used or maybe something a little nicer that he could grow into a bit. Still a pretty small dude.

I used to know quite a bit about adult-sized bikes, but I've had the same ones for so long, that I'm out of touch with the market.

Any brands/models that your kids have tried that you like? I'd like it to be on the lighter side for him. His current tiny bike must weigh 50 lbs. But for the madness, I'd hit a few local shops and look around. As it is, I may wind up checking out craigslist.
Click to expand...
I'm in the same boat. My almost 5 year old has a bigger bike he's about to start riding, but it's a beast. It's at least 35 pounds. I saw a
sunvalleylaw said:
At age 9, I would think a decent used BMX bike would do the trick. Some real brand such as GT, Haro, Trek, Giant, etc. Rather than a K-mart or Target special that weighs 50 lbs. as you say. Rugged, larger tires, save the gears for when the kid is a teen or so. Less to futz with. Throw your helmet on, throw the leg over, and ride.

That was how I grew up, but before BMX bikes were as commonly available in WA, when we took our old Schwinn Stingrays and stripped them down from all the extra fenders, banana seats, sissy bars, fenders and stuff and put on a "10 speed" seat and new handlebars, and just rode everywhere on them.

Little kid mountain bikes seem to be heavy, and have crappy parts that need adjusting a lot.


Something like a used, or even new on sale one of these linked below. I like to look at Giant, Trek, Specialized as they are massive and have good buying power so you get a good bang for your buck.

https://www.giant-bicycles.com/us/bikes/kids-bikes/bmx
"From tricks and flips to shredding dirt, these kids’ BMX bikes are all about action. Made with lightweight yet rugged frames and components, our collection of BMX bikes for kids is ready to rip."

We did graduate our kids to little Raleigh MTB's we found in demo stock from a local shop. when the kids got to be a little older. Something similar would work also. But I would stick with 1x drivetrains rather than anything with a front derailleur. Pretty sure those were 24" wheel bikes. Those took our kids a long way also, until we got them full sized sometime between middle school and high school, at which point I bought used.
Click to expand...
Our machine shop is in the same complex as Giant in Newbury Park. I need a lighter bike for my kid too. He's almost 5 and pretty small. He has a bigger bike waiting for him, but it's a beast. Well over 30 pounds.
 
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