New bike for 7 year old son - recommendations?
Discussion
So, my son has just turned 7 and a new bike is on the cards for Christmas. He's outgrown a Raleigh Charge which has served him really well, but after beasting him over 8 miles on the Ridgeway a few weeks back something with 20" wheels, 6 speed and front shocks seems a logical choice.
Budget would be up to £150 and whilst I'm reasonably clued up on adult bikes I've no idea what's good and what's not when it comes to Kids bikes (I do know Islabikes are very good but they're out of budget!). So, what should I be looking at?
Budget would be up to £150 and whilst I'm reasonably clued up on adult bikes I've no idea what's good and what's not when it comes to Kids bikes (I do know Islabikes are very good but they're out of budget!). So, what should I be looking at?
I bought my six year old the 2013 version of this:
http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-b/bikes/model/201...
It seems fine so far, and quite robust.
http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-b/bikes/model/201...
It seems fine so far, and quite robust.
Thanks for the suggestions so far, much appreciated. Any thoughts on a Ridgeback MX20?
Islabikes are great I know, but he's on his bike constantly both in the garden and with us on family rides at the weekend. As such by the time he's out-grown it and we come to sell it, it'll be very 'well-used' and probably worth bugger all. Hence me not wanting to spend too much....
Islabikes are great I know, but he's on his bike constantly both in the garden and with us on family rides at the weekend. As such by the time he's out-grown it and we come to sell it, it'll be very 'well-used' and probably worth bugger all. Hence me not wanting to spend too much....
My son had an MX20 and it did pretty good service. Nice solidly built bike that survived well ( including a couple of wince inducing high speed crashes ) and is now doing the same for the friends son that inherited it. I'm sure the Isla bike option would of been lighter but the Ridgeback was easy for him to handle and did the job.
Replaced by an MX24 which tbh isn't so good... suffers from the suspension forks that don't and full size components like the twist gear shift that are really a bit 'heavy' in use. Don't get me wrong it's an OK bike and he's happy riding it but I probably would of went for Isla or Frog had I known about them at this stage.
Replaced by an MX24 which tbh isn't so good... suffers from the suspension forks that don't and full size components like the twist gear shift that are really a bit 'heavy' in use. Don't get me wrong it's an OK bike and he's happy riding it but I probably would of went for Isla or Frog had I known about them at this stage.
grenpayne said:
Thanks for the suggestions so far, much appreciated. Any thoughts on a Ridgeback MX20?
Islabikes are great I know, but he's on his bike constantly both in the garden and with us on family rides at the weekend. As such by the time he's out-grown it and we come to sell it, it'll be very 'well-used' and probably worth bugger all. Hence me not wanting to spend too much....
Go on to eBay and have a look at the cheapest ones in the completed sales. Even very well used ones still seem to go for almost the same price as new!Islabikes are great I know, but he's on his bike constantly both in the garden and with us on family rides at the weekend. As such by the time he's out-grown it and we come to sell it, it'll be very 'well-used' and probably worth bugger all. Hence me not wanting to spend too much....
grenpayne said:
Thanks for the suggestions so far, much appreciated. Any thoughts on a Ridgeback MX20?
Islabikes are great I know, but he's on his bike constantly both in the garden and with us on family rides at the weekend. As such by the time he's out-grown it and we come to sell it, it'll be very 'well-used' and probably worth bugger all. Hence me not wanting to spend too much....
My son has one, in blue and loves it. It is well built, lightish if not featherweight and looks like a proper mtbIslabikes are great I know, but he's on his bike constantly both in the garden and with us on family rides at the weekend. As such by the time he's out-grown it and we come to sell it, it'll be very 'well-used' and probably worth bugger all. Hence me not wanting to spend too much....
bugeyewrx said:
My son had an MX20 and it did pretty good service. Nice solidly built bike that survived well ( including a couple of wince inducing high speed crashes ) and is now doing the same for the friends son that inherited it. I'm sure the Isla bike option would of been lighter but the Ridgeback was easy for him to handle and did the job.
Replaced by an MX24 which tbh isn't so good... suffers from the suspension forks that don't and full size components like the twist gear shift that are really a bit 'heavy' in use. Don't get me wrong it's an OK bike and he's happy riding it but I probably would of went for Isla or Frog had I known about them at this stage.
The MT220 Trek is designed to "grow" with the child, so everything is adjustable, including the radius of the pedals on the cranks.....Replaced by an MX24 which tbh isn't so good... suffers from the suspension forks that don't and full size components like the twist gear shift that are really a bit 'heavy' in use. Don't get me wrong it's an OK bike and he's happy riding it but I probably would of went for Isla or Frog had I known about them at this stage.
I had same trying to find a bike for my 8yr old and after a lot of research I got him a genesis core !! A very well built bike and not as heavy as some !! It rides great with very good gear changes and mint brakes ! The forks work as they should also. Can be bought from around £450 ish from what I remember ! 
Stuart70 said:
Decathlon has done my kids well, son and daughter both have had various sizes as they have grown. Done many off road trails round Kent with no build issues at al...
http://www.decathlon.co.uk/20-racingboy-3-2012-id_8221827.htmlUnlike the majority of recommendations on this thread, it's actually within your budget. My family have had numerous Decathlon bikes and they are indestructible.
I would also question whether a 7 years old really needs front suspension.
Another vote for Islabike, we've had 3 for our children, always used and apart from servicing items I expect to recover my purchase price, in fact the 20" wheel model we have already sold on made a few ££s. I would recommend a Beinn 24" via EBay or check the forums of your local bike club.
Also look out for the Dawes Espoir, easily converted to flat bars if drop bars aren't for you.
Also look out for the Dawes Espoir, easily converted to flat bars if drop bars aren't for you.
Another vote for the Trek MT220. Well within budget bought 2nd hand as I did. Leagues ahead of the average no name stuff, and importantly for your 8 year old boy it looks the part.
My son had a good few years out of this, used on a variety of trail centres and road rides.
Eventually the bottom bracket died so I bought a new one and a cheap Shimano crankset as he had out grown the 'dialled' features anyway.
We sold it for what we paid for it, save for maintenance.
My son had a good few years out of this, used on a variety of trail centres and road rides.
Eventually the bottom bracket died so I bought a new one and a cheap Shimano crankset as he had out grown the 'dialled' features anyway.
We sold it for what we paid for it, save for maintenance.
Great stuff, thanks chaps, lot of food for though here. I absolutely get the Islabikes recommendations so I'll mull it over, see what comes up for sale new and used and report back in the coming weeks. Although, after the bargain we bagged for my wife a repeat performance would be great if possible...
Bought our son a Ridgback MX20 when he was 6. When he turned 8 we looked at the 24" machines but didn't like any. Crucially *he* didn't like any. So, to extend the life of the MX20 for another year, I put a pair of alloy BMX cruiser bars on it I had in the garage, and it seems to fit him perfectly now, even though he's approaching 9yo and is tall-ish.
It's done a few hundred miles now (we go for 15mile bike rides at the weekends) and looks pretty much "as new" but I am fairly obsessive WRT maintenance.
Solid bike - very robust. Easy to use brakes and gears for a child.
Here with winter mudguards - photo taken last year - the seat is a lot higher now:
I have the problem of what to buy next - there are some great 26 inch wheelers for children but I am not convinced he'll be tall enough. Thing is, the components are so much better if we do go for a 26"er rather than a 24"er.
As expected, Islabikes have one of each and they're really good but I am keen to see what the alternatives are - my son wants disc brakes next and there really isn't anything to compete with Isla to be honest.
It's done a few hundred miles now (we go for 15mile bike rides at the weekends) and looks pretty much "as new" but I am fairly obsessive WRT maintenance.
Solid bike - very robust. Easy to use brakes and gears for a child.
Here with winter mudguards - photo taken last year - the seat is a lot higher now:
I have the problem of what to buy next - there are some great 26 inch wheelers for children but I am not convinced he'll be tall enough. Thing is, the components are so much better if we do go for a 26"er rather than a 24"er.
As expected, Islabikes have one of each and they're really good but I am keen to see what the alternatives are - my son wants disc brakes next and there really isn't anything to compete with Isla to be honest.
Edited by Watchman on Monday 14th October 20:24
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