20" kids mountain bike - Used, opinions please!
Discussion
Evening,
Crazy, seems like yesterday I was discussing balance bikes and then 16" wheel bikes and yet here I am, now looking for the next step up as 4yr boy child has started to look rather big on his Carrera Cosmos, though he throws it about like an empty paper bag so whilst he's nearing the next size up, I don't want to push him on too quickly in case a bigger bike dents his confidence, though at times that'd maybe be a good thing... though he's struggling on hills, it's just so short in the cranks he's not getting the purchase.
So, found myself in Halfords trying him on a few 20" wheels and he's almost there... like, an inch tops but I'm also loathed to spend £250+ on something new as at this stage, he's still not that careful be it accidental or deliberate plus the bikes I looked at weighed nigh on the same as a good sized Volvo estate. Thus, I found myself browsing the classifieds and being fair... there's slim pickings. Granted plenty sort of £50 region BMX and pretty basic MTB's and whilst I'm not being a snob, I want something pretty decent as he's really loving the bike and trails so something heavy and generally not that great may knock him back.
amongst the slim pickings, I found a Scott Scale JR20 for sale reasonably locally and what drew me in was that even for a 20" wheel, it's got a pretty low stand over height of 51cm. His current 16" wheel Cosmo has the seat around 53cm top to floor so my thinking is that, plus it being pretty lightweight (10kgs?) and having a slightly shorter reach then some of the Halfords efforts means he should in theory, manage to get on it and go - add 7 gears and front shocks and I'm sure he'll be chuffed. But, Scott and specifically the JR20 is an unknown but for £150 (ish) it does seem pretty decent value as it looks in excellent condition but before I get all spendy, any pointers be it good, bad or indifferent?
Cheers
Crazy, seems like yesterday I was discussing balance bikes and then 16" wheel bikes and yet here I am, now looking for the next step up as 4yr boy child has started to look rather big on his Carrera Cosmos, though he throws it about like an empty paper bag so whilst he's nearing the next size up, I don't want to push him on too quickly in case a bigger bike dents his confidence, though at times that'd maybe be a good thing... though he's struggling on hills, it's just so short in the cranks he's not getting the purchase.
So, found myself in Halfords trying him on a few 20" wheels and he's almost there... like, an inch tops but I'm also loathed to spend £250+ on something new as at this stage, he's still not that careful be it accidental or deliberate plus the bikes I looked at weighed nigh on the same as a good sized Volvo estate. Thus, I found myself browsing the classifieds and being fair... there's slim pickings. Granted plenty sort of £50 region BMX and pretty basic MTB's and whilst I'm not being a snob, I want something pretty decent as he's really loving the bike and trails so something heavy and generally not that great may knock him back.
amongst the slim pickings, I found a Scott Scale JR20 for sale reasonably locally and what drew me in was that even for a 20" wheel, it's got a pretty low stand over height of 51cm. His current 16" wheel Cosmo has the seat around 53cm top to floor so my thinking is that, plus it being pretty lightweight (10kgs?) and having a slightly shorter reach then some of the Halfords efforts means he should in theory, manage to get on it and go - add 7 gears and front shocks and I'm sure he'll be chuffed. But, Scott and specifically the JR20 is an unknown but for £150 (ish) it does seem pretty decent value as it looks in excellent condition but before I get all spendy, any pointers be it good, bad or indifferent?
Cheers
From experience the 20” size is the one to care about the least - they are on it such a short period of time. I think all my three spent perhaps 18 months on it before outgrowing it again - kids have a growth spurt around 5/6’ish.
My youngest had a 28th hand Trek mtb which he just about finished off. The weight was no probs, though the forks were useless and it got used on proper mtb trails. I’d advocate rigid front until they’re a bit heavier themselves as it’s all heavy junk at this size.
Put the money towards a decent 24” or maybe even one of the mini-framed 27.5” in another year or two time.
My youngest had a 28th hand Trek mtb which he just about finished off. The weight was no probs, though the forks were useless and it got used on proper mtb trails. I’d advocate rigid front until they’re a bit heavier themselves as it’s all heavy junk at this size.
Put the money towards a decent 24” or maybe even one of the mini-framed 27.5” in another year or two time.
Several years ago I bought a Specialized Hotrock for £20. It was a little 'worn' but a new rear tyre, new shifter, some air, new wheel bearings and brakes setting up and it was great for my kids for five years in total. Front suspension was locked out, but I left that as-is as we only did some muddy trails.
Just keep your eye out, people junk them if they are old and need a little work.
Sold it for £30 and both kids got loads of use from it.....
Just keep your eye out, people junk them if they are old and need a little work.
Sold it for £30 and both kids got loads of use from it.....
PomBstard said:
From experience the 20” size is the one to care about the least - they are on it such a short period of time. I think all my three spent perhaps 18 months on it before outgrowing it again - kids have a growth spurt around 5/6’ish.
My youngest had a 28th hand Trek mtb which he just about finished off. The weight was no probs, though the forks were useless and it got used on proper mtb trails. I’d advocate rigid front until they’re a bit heavier themselves as it’s all heavy junk at this size.
Put the money towards a decent 24” or maybe even one of the mini-framed 27.5” in another year or two time.
Yup, I'd pretty much written off the front shocks actually doing much at this size plus his weight but he's obsessed with the shocks on my bike so he really wants his next bike to have them... but I'd agree, they'll do next to nothing bar add some weight but if he thinks they're great, he'll likely be more inclined to use it more but who knows. My youngest had a 28th hand Trek mtb which he just about finished off. The weight was no probs, though the forks were useless and it got used on proper mtb trails. I’d advocate rigid front until they’re a bit heavier themselves as it’s all heavy junk at this size.
Put the money towards a decent 24” or maybe even one of the mini-framed 27.5” in another year or two time.
I've probably opened up a rabbit hole looing at used bikes, up to £150 and in 20" wheel guise and have thus far found:
2019 Scott Scale JR20, front shocks, 7spd grip shift and 10.5kgs at £150
Scott Scale 20", older but appears to have 10+ gears, shocks and is only £40 but a refurb / tyres would be needed (no biggie)
Ridgeback MX20 , front shocks, 7spd grip shift and looks ok condition and is £65
Voodoo Sobo 20" which looks immaculate, front shocks and has thumb shift (one of very few) and is 9.8kgs and £100
The mega cheap Scott appeals as I'd budgeted for a refurb of any used bike (tyres, cables, bearings etc) so at £40 it's almost free but front derailleur puts me off, maybe a bit much for him to take on initially so I find myself leaning towards the Voodoo as it looks brand new, that usually means little use or a very caring owner plus it's a really low frame, light and has thumb shift so I'd rather he mastered that ASAP.
This is just another stepping stone and if he still rides a 20" with the enthusiasm he rides his current Cosmo with then it's another positive step to him getting a "proper" bike but also when he's a bit older and more aware of taking care of it. Just now, he's pretty good but being 4 tends to get distracted by anything and it'll get dropped down in his haste to get to the swings / look at a bus / raid the biscuit tin plus he's had a few cracking wipe outs thus far too.
mike9009 said:
Several years ago I bought a Specialized Hotrock for £20. It was a little 'worn' but a new rear tyre, new shifter, some air, new wheel bearings and brakes setting up and it was great for my kids for five years in total. Front suspension was locked out, but I left that as-is as we only did some muddy trails.
Just keep your eye out, people junk them if they are old and need a little work.
Sold it for £30 and both kids got loads of use from it.....
Cheers, yup similar mentality here... Just keep your eye out, people junk them if they are old and need a little work.
Sold it for £30 and both kids got loads of use from it.....
His first bike was a little Hotrock 12" which was like new and £25 on Marketplace. I took the pedals off and he used it like a balance bike and hammered it, through the woods, off jumps, at the skate park. Got him riding it with the pedals but it had such short cranks and he was tall so he was a bit top heavy. He's still got it, still almost mint so it'll go to my 1yr old in time. His next Carrera Cosmo was £30 i Think, couple of tyres, cables and a rebuild and he was off on it before his 4th birthday - it's had some abuse too, but it's been great but he's now almost 118cm so it too is getting a bit short for him and a lack of gears it stopping him on a lot of trails and he's getting frustrated. Hence he wants gears and suspension, like mine. Happy to spend £100 as he'll use it, it'll go to his cousin then back to my youngest so loads of use ahead.
Edited by Davie on Saturday 18th December 22:31
I’d look at that Voodoo - clean and needs nothing doing means it’s ready to ride. Thumb shift easier than twist shift. Just make sure it’s got both brakes on levers and not a rear hub brake as these are no good when the kid panics and takes their feet off the pedals!
Also no need for more than 7 gears at this time - you’ll be spending plenty of time teaching them how and when to use them anyway.
Whatever you get, head out to some proper singletrack or similar so the young one gets to ride with other bikes around - that really pushed my youngest to want to do more.
And it’ll be fun!
Also no need for more than 7 gears at this time - you’ll be spending plenty of time teaching them how and when to use them anyway.
Whatever you get, head out to some proper singletrack or similar so the young one gets to ride with other bikes around - that really pushed my youngest to want to do more.
And it’ll be fun!
PomBstard said:
I’d look at that Voodoo - clean and needs nothing doing means it’s ready to ride. Thumb shift easier than twist shift. Just make sure it’s got both brakes on levers and not a rear hub brake as these are no good when the kid panics and takes their feet off the pedals!
Not many bikes have pedal back brakes with derailleurs Pom.No, his Hotrock 12" had a back pedal brake and he really didn't gel with it at al. Hence it was used as a balance bike sans pedals mostly. Never really been a fan of such a set up, better going for conventional brakes and get them learning those from the start. On which note, quite please this little Voodoo has thumb shift... start as you mean to go on and all that.
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