Bike for my 6.5 year old?
Discussion
Having read and posted in a few threads in here about bikes for 6+ year olds, I thought I'd start my own thread.
I know pretty much zero about bikes. I haven't owned a bike myself since buying a second hand-BMX in my late teens [a Hoffman that I now want to get back on the road for my son's to use in the future]. Give me a task to buy anything though and I research like mad....I'm guessing you guys are the same!
Anyway, I'm definitely going down the second-hand route. With a budget of £300 max, second hand gives me the chance of buying something good and not some heavy Halfords special!
Having done a bit of measuring and sitting on a few bikes, my 6.5 year old fits perfectly on a 20" wheel bike, but it's obvious he'll grow out of it within 18 months. So, I'm hoping he'll get to grips with a 24" bike and by the time next Spring comes around [when we'll use the bike more often], he'll fit like a glove.
I had decided a Frog, Squish or Islabike was the way to go [Islabike probably at the bottom of that list as they have twist grip shifters, which I've read are a bit more awkward for kids compared to a thumb shifter].
But, as I'm hoping this bike will last him for at least 3 years and he might want to try a bit of off-roading [with his bike mad cousin], I thought I'd look into getting a MTB, as appose to the hybrids mentioned above, so he can make use of their fatter tyres, disc brakes and suspension [though I don't think suspension is important, I'd happily get him a bike with rigid forks].
Obviously choice is huge, but needs a good one popping up for sale on eBay, Marketplace etc. At the moment, I've got these on the maybe list...
Whyte 303, Hoy Bonaly 24, Specialized Riprock 24 [the refreshed model], Vitus Nucleus 24 [or maybe even the lower spec Kids 24+], Orbea MX24.
The Hoy look decent, as my budget would get a very nice example. Though I did read a review from 2018 that mentioned the shifter was difficult to use. I think they've updated the shifter for the later ones [just looking at pics], but not 100% sure?
You guys will know way more than me though. What do you think of this list? Which one would you lean towards? Should I look for a brand/model I haven't mentioned?
Ta.
I know pretty much zero about bikes. I haven't owned a bike myself since buying a second hand-BMX in my late teens [a Hoffman that I now want to get back on the road for my son's to use in the future]. Give me a task to buy anything though and I research like mad....I'm guessing you guys are the same!
Anyway, I'm definitely going down the second-hand route. With a budget of £300 max, second hand gives me the chance of buying something good and not some heavy Halfords special!
Having done a bit of measuring and sitting on a few bikes, my 6.5 year old fits perfectly on a 20" wheel bike, but it's obvious he'll grow out of it within 18 months. So, I'm hoping he'll get to grips with a 24" bike and by the time next Spring comes around [when we'll use the bike more often], he'll fit like a glove.
I had decided a Frog, Squish or Islabike was the way to go [Islabike probably at the bottom of that list as they have twist grip shifters, which I've read are a bit more awkward for kids compared to a thumb shifter].
But, as I'm hoping this bike will last him for at least 3 years and he might want to try a bit of off-roading [with his bike mad cousin], I thought I'd look into getting a MTB, as appose to the hybrids mentioned above, so he can make use of their fatter tyres, disc brakes and suspension [though I don't think suspension is important, I'd happily get him a bike with rigid forks].
Obviously choice is huge, but needs a good one popping up for sale on eBay, Marketplace etc. At the moment, I've got these on the maybe list...
Whyte 303, Hoy Bonaly 24, Specialized Riprock 24 [the refreshed model], Vitus Nucleus 24 [or maybe even the lower spec Kids 24+], Orbea MX24.
The Hoy look decent, as my budget would get a very nice example. Though I did read a review from 2018 that mentioned the shifter was difficult to use. I think they've updated the shifter for the later ones [just looking at pics], but not 100% sure?
You guys will know way more than me though. What do you think of this list? Which one would you lean towards? Should I look for a brand/model I haven't mentioned?
Ta.
My little boy is 7 and is fairly confident on an MTB. Hd had a couple of Voodoo bikes in 20" and 24" and they were pretty good for around £100 second hand. He now has a Vitus Nucleus, also bought used for £200 and it has made a massive difference to his riding... mostly due to having hydraulic disc brakes rather than cable and thus his braking power and modulation is far better and if you can stop better, you can go faster. So whilst some higher spec / cost bikes may seem overkill for the basics, lightweight, good brakes and good geometry can make a world of difference.
Davie said:
My little boy is 7 and is fairly confident on an MTB. Hd had a couple of Voodoo bikes in 20" and 24" and they were pretty good for around £100 second hand. He now has a Vitus Nucleus, also bought used for £200 and it has made a massive difference to his riding... mostly due to having hydraulic disc brakes rather than cable and thus his braking power and modulation is far better and if you can stop better, you can go faster. So whilst some higher spec / cost bikes may seem overkill for the basics, lightweight, good brakes and good geometry can make a world of difference.
I had a quick look online at the Voodoo Bakka and read a few posts about it being a bit heavy [12kg]....thought I'd look at the weight of the Nucleus 24 and to my surprise it's also near 12kg. So maybe that kind of weight isn't such a problem? I guess it's the suspension causing the extra weight as the rigid fork Vitus 24 Kids is under 10kg. BUG4LIFE said:
But, as I'm hoping this bike will last him for at least 3 years and he might want to try a bit of off-roading [with his bike mad cousin], I thought I'd look into getting a MTB...
You're looking at all the right bikes, good on you. However, don't get too hung up on getting him something that will last. Just like you're in the market for a good used bike, so are many others and there will continue to be a market. Get him the right bike for now, look after it, and sell it on once it's no longer the right bike and get him something else.
It's much easier to buy now with a known spec that you want than to predict his future wants and needs. Then sell this bike to fund what he wants in 6 months, a year, 2 years or whatever. He'll change physically and his needs for a bike may change if he starts to get into it or his friend group start to do specific types of riding.
FYI I was a ride leader at a youth MTB club. Lots of kids are on the wrong bike as their parents have bought them the one they predict they'll need next year 'when they grow into it'. They never do as they don't like riding the bike that's slightly too big and don't get into riding so the bike gets left and the kid abandons the sport.
BUG4LIFE said:
my 6.5 year old fits perfectly on a 20" wheel bike, but it's obvious he'll grow out of it within 18 months...
Get him the 20" if it fits him perfectly.Sell it when it's too small.
So long as you maintain it and don't leave it outside in the garden over winter to go rusty, it'll still be worth what you pay for it, or, in the spring, maybe a bit more.
I bought my daughter an Islabike. They are very light and designed for children rather than being smaller adult bikes. It was expensive. I kept the box and when I sold it I got back £50 less than I’d paid. Which made it cheaper than buying a cheap bike.
I’ve advised friends to go that route since. They had similar experiences to me. Makes buying one cheap, even though they are expensive up front.
I ended up buying two more of their bikes as she got older and taller. Same experience all the way through. Hope this helps.
I’ve advised friends to go that route since. They had similar experiences to me. Makes buying one cheap, even though they are expensive up front.
I ended up buying two more of their bikes as she got older and taller. Same experience all the way through. Hope this helps.
I did similar all the way through my 3 kids' bikes as they grew up. Started with Isla Bikes and could often use it until they didn't need it and sell it for the original purchase price or close, as they kept increasing the RRP of them.
I started to think of it as a kind of rental service. I put a payment upfront and got it back after the period we needed the bike. So they always had good quality bikes and the overall outlay was only the effect of inflation on the spend over the period.
Once Isla got too expensive and the quality dropped off a bit we did the same with Hoy and then the Whyte kid's range.
I started to think of it as a kind of rental service. I put a payment upfront and got it back after the period we needed the bike. So they always had good quality bikes and the overall outlay was only the effect of inflation on the spend over the period.
Once Isla got too expensive and the quality dropped off a bit we did the same with Hoy and then the Whyte kid's range.
highway said:
I bought my daughter an Islabike. They are very light and designed for children rather than being smaller adult bikes. It was expensive. I kept the box and when I sold it I got back £50 less than I’d paid. Which made it cheaper than buying a cheap bike.
I’ve advised friends to go that route since. They had similar experiences to me. Makes buying one cheap, even though they are expensive up front.
I ended up buying two more of their bikes as she got older and taller. Same experience all the way through. Hope this helps.
Islabike's are now spares only since they discovered an issue with the fork, and they are currently replacing all effected bikes.I’ve advised friends to go that route since. They had similar experiences to me. Makes buying one cheap, even though they are expensive up front.
I ended up buying two more of their bikes as she got older and taller. Same experience all the way through. Hope this helps.
Consequently, you can't sell a used bike until it is fixed, which means the used market for those that have been is through the roof. Same with Frog's
We just sold our sons Frog (18 months old) for £50 less than we paid for it...
Cheers all. It's certainly a good plan to buy and sell when he'd need a bigger bike...if it wasn't for the fact we probably wouldn't sell, as he has a younger brother who will inherit the bike! So, in a year to 18 months we'll be needing to fork out for a replacement with the same budget as now, if we went the 20" route now, maybe?!
Even though he's only 6.5 years he's right in between the recommend height/inseam for 20 and 24. We will of course use his new bike during the winter months, but when next late spring/summer comes and we are out more often, he would of grown into the 24 I imagine.
Even though he's only 6.5 years he's right in between the recommend height/inseam for 20 and 24. We will of course use his new bike during the winter months, but when next late spring/summer comes and we are out more often, he would of grown into the 24 I imagine.
Edited by BUG4LIFE on Wednesday 30th October 13:59
BUG4LIFE said:
Cheers all. It's certainly a good plan to buy and sell when he'd need a bigger bike...if it wasn't for the fact we probably wouldn't sell, as he has a younger brother who will inherit the bike! So, in a year to 18 months we'll be needing to fork out for a replacement, if we went the 20" route now.
Even though he's only 6.5 years he's right in between the recommend height/inseam for 20 and 24. We will of course use his new bike during the winter months, but when next late spring/summer comes and we are out more often, he would of grown into the 24 I imagine.
But by that logic you'll be buying a 20" bike for the younger child anyway, so still buying an extra new bike... Even though he's only 6.5 years he's right in between the recommend height/inseam for 20 and 24. We will of course use his new bike during the winter months, but when next late spring/summer comes and we are out more often, he would of grown into the 24 I imagine.
573 said:
But by that logic you'll be buying a 20" bike for the younger child anyway, so still buying an extra new bike...
Unless the youngest makes the same jump, and goes from the 16" Specialized bike he will inherit next year straight onto the 24! But yes I see your point. I wouldn't be surprised if we need a 20 in the future as my youngest is a little shorter at the same age. Think I want to see him on a 20" again to judge! Get the bike that fits them now. I went early on the 24" bike, when I saw a good deal on a Vitus Nucleus. My son was about 7 and a half at the time, buy he didn't end up using it until just before his 8th birthday, when he had a growth spurt. But he had a decent 20" bike to ride in the mean time. Decent kids bikes hold on to their value, and it is a false economy to try and get them on a bike that is too big.
Gratuitous photo of my son riding at Bike Park Wales yesterday:
Gratuitous photo of my son riding at Bike Park Wales yesterday:
Hmm, food for thought. Thanks guys. Maybe 20 is a good idea now, as it'll likely last him 2 - 2.5 years, by which time his younger brother will be ready for it. Hopefully my youngest won't mind that he keeps getting his brother's hand me downs!
Would I need to re-look at the options for a 20"? I guess a 20 will mean v-brakes, which I'm sure will be fine for how he'll use the bike in the coming years. As mentioned in my original post, I'm not worried about suspension, rigid forks would make for a nice light bike.
Would I need to re-look at the options for a 20"? I guess a 20 will mean v-brakes, which I'm sure will be fine for how he'll use the bike in the coming years. As mentioned in my original post, I'm not worried about suspension, rigid forks would make for a nice light bike.
Rich Boy Spanner said:
When my children were younger I always stuck with Boardman bikes. They scaled down the pedal arms to the bike instead of using off the shelf items from adult bikes. Stops that thing where kids ride along with a properly set up bike but their knees are going way too high.
Yeah, I think most of the brands I've been looking at use parts specific for kids. Certainly helps.11.2kgs for my little boys Nucleus... though it's got scene spec carbon bars, Black Jack tyres and Nukeproof pedals. It's also still sporting a thick layer of Kirroughtree mud.
The 20" Vs 24" debated is tricky. My boy was on a 20" bike just before he was 5 but he's a bit of a tank. The issue I found is not only was he quicky looking too big, ie top heavy on it but he was smacking the chain ring on stuff and dropping into holes and threatening to go over the bars.
I bought his 24" and planned to keep it for him but curiousity got the better of me so tried him on it thinking he'd struggled but he just took off and his ability off road went up significantly. As mentioned, his biggest issue on his 24" Voodoo were the cable discs... despite being set up to perfection with as little resistance, he just struggled to modulate the back brake so ended up relying more on the front and that saw a few wipeouts.
He had a go on a 20" Specialized with hydraulic brakes and it was apparent straight away they were a necessity, hence bought him the Nucleus. Only issue now is he's got his fights set on an FS bike. With regards to shifters, I actively avoided gripshift... I don't rate it plus wanted him sussing out how to use proper thumb shift as quickly as possibly. Didn't have any issues.
Ultimately it'll come down to how big your little boy is and his dimensions... he may have long legs / short body etc and on that note, all 20" and 24" bikes are not created equal... there will be quiet a variety in stand over height, top tube length, geometry settings so probably best getting him out there, trying a few options to see what suits best.
The 20" Vs 24" debated is tricky. My boy was on a 20" bike just before he was 5 but he's a bit of a tank. The issue I found is not only was he quicky looking too big, ie top heavy on it but he was smacking the chain ring on stuff and dropping into holes and threatening to go over the bars.
I bought his 24" and planned to keep it for him but curiousity got the better of me so tried him on it thinking he'd struggled but he just took off and his ability off road went up significantly. As mentioned, his biggest issue on his 24" Voodoo were the cable discs... despite being set up to perfection with as little resistance, he just struggled to modulate the back brake so ended up relying more on the front and that saw a few wipeouts.
He had a go on a 20" Specialized with hydraulic brakes and it was apparent straight away they were a necessity, hence bought him the Nucleus. Only issue now is he's got his fights set on an FS bike. With regards to shifters, I actively avoided gripshift... I don't rate it plus wanted him sussing out how to use proper thumb shift as quickly as possibly. Didn't have any issues.
Ultimately it'll come down to how big your little boy is and his dimensions... he may have long legs / short body etc and on that note, all 20" and 24" bikes are not created equal... there will be quiet a variety in stand over height, top tube length, geometry settings so probably best getting him out there, trying a few options to see what suits best.
Gassing Station | Pedal Powered | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff