I rode with my 6.5yr old son Liam today and he rocked!!!

[MMcG]

It can't get any better than it was today! I rode for a good hour and a half on some nice rolling trails at Mansfield Hollow with my son Liam and he totally rocked!! ;D

He was really ripping on the trail and was handling some pretty steep descents and climbs (for his age) really really well on his little 24" 7-speed Trek Hardtail. I was really impressed and when we were done he asked me, "Dad, can we do this again after school tomorrow!?" I said, "Yep!" with a huge grin on my face. ;D

I didn't think he would be ready for real trails until he was 8 or so, but he was ripping it up today. He turns 7 on June 22nd and I realized today that this Trek hardtail - although sweet for riding on pavement is a pig for using on real trails.

So, who makes a nice lightweight "real kids mountainbike" with 24" wheels. I mean Liam's Trek weighs almost as much as my full suspension Balfa Belair!! I'd really love to see how he can do with a lightweight trailworthy mountain bike!

Any suggestions? I looked at the Kona Hula at the Kona website and it looked pretty sweet--- but where to find one to find out how much it weighs.

Take care,

Mark (a truly stoked father right now!)

[splat]

I ride the Nam with my 6 1/2 year old been doing it for about a year now. he has a specilized 20 hardrock , 20 inch wheels , ridgid.

Its awesome ! you never knew life could be so good!

[EVIL BOTA]

http://www.specialized.com/SBCBkModel.jsp?san=03HotrockA1FS&bl=kids&my=2003


Specialized has a great bike for kids. It is alot lighter than most kids bikes. check it out here.

[NEMBA_bkr-dude]

wish I had one of those when I was that age. I had this cool raleigh m-20 with bar ends and 21 gears. It was green and black. That bike was awesome.

[splat]

My sons

http://h00a024cc571f.ne.client2.attbi.com/bikes/kidsmt.JPG

[NEMBA_bkr-dude]

no pedals and a non functional front brake? what kind of cruel and unusual punishment is that?

[Tim]

If you check out the top end 24" Trek, you'll find that it's aluminum and reasonably light. The next one down (don't remember the model ##s) is a lot heavier. I gave my daughter the choice between them, and even pushed her toward the better one, but she decided to get the heavier one because she liked the color.

The bottom line is don't sweat the bike that much -- worry about making it fun.

Tim

[MMcG]

If you check out the top end 24" Trek, you'll find that it's aluminum and reasonably light. The next one down (don't remember the model ##s) is a lot heavier. I gave my daughter the choice between them, and even pushed her toward the better one, but she decided to get the heavier one because she liked the color.

The bottom line is don't sweat the bike that much -- worry about making it fun.

Tim


We had a blast together. So no problem with having fun!

I just think he'd have even more fun if he didn't have a pig of a bike to ride. I should have done more research when I went with his Trek, but I didn't think he'd be hitting real trails with me yet.

If I don't get him something different, at least he'll have strong arms and legs from pedaling and pushing his current rig.

Then when he gets something lighter - Lookout! ;D

[splat]

Mark How tall is your Son ? Mine if 51 inches and and the 20 inch wheels Make a big difference . He another kids rode a 24 inch wheel bike it was just too much bike for him. he had trouble getting his feet down getting started , etc.and it is heavier that his 20 inch wheeled bike he now has , I'll check the weight when I get home as to how much that weighs in at.

[sizlinseagulsoup]

I used to push 45 pound Huffy's around places like the D.A.R. when I was young, he should be thankful to have at least a decent bike at his age.

Conclusion - Don't upgrade until it doesn't fit, he's going to have fun regardless of the bike he rides. ;D

[AdeptComp]

So, who makes a nice lightweight "real kids mountainbike" with 24" wheels. I mean Liam's Trek weighs almost as much as my full suspension Balfa Belair!! I'd really love to see how he can do with a lightweight trailworthy mountain bike!

Any suggestions? I looked at the Kona Hula at the Kona website and it looked pretty sweet--- but where to find one to find out how much it weighs.

Take care,

Mark (a truly stoked father right now!)


Mark,

I did a lot of research on this myself, before buying my 9-year-old an Ibex 440K. Ibex is web only, but I think they make the best-spec'ed 24" kid's bike out there.

I was a little nervous buying it sight-unseen, but I have been thrilled with it (as has my daughter). The quality is outstanding; It's a well-built frame, beautifully finished, and equipped with a great set of components. The clincher for me was the Rapidfire shifters - Try to find that on another 14" bike.

The 440K comes in blue or red, and Ibex also makes a disk brake version - the 440KS.

Here's their website: www.ibexbikes.com (http://www.ibexbikes.com)

Strangely, you can often find them selling their bikes on Ebay, too.

Good luck!

[MMcG]

So, who makes a nice lightweight "real kids mountainbike" with 24" wheels. I mean Liam's Trek weighs almost as much as my full suspension Balfa Belair!! I'd really love to see how he can do with a lightweight trailworthy mountain bike!

Any suggestions? I looked at the Kona Hula at the Kona website and it looked pretty sweet--- but where to find one to find out how much it weighs.

Take care,

Mark (a truly stoked father right now!)


Mark,

I did a lot of research on this myself, before buying my 9-year-old an Ibex 440K. Ibex is web only, but I think they make the best-spec'ed 24" kid's bike out there.

I was a little nervous buying it sight-unseen, but I have been thrilled with it (as has my daughter). The quality is outstanding; It's a well-built frame, beautifully finished, and equipped with a great set of components. The clincher for me was the Rapidfire shifters - Try to find that on another 14" bike.

The 440K comes in blue or red, and Ibex also makes a disk brake version - the 440KS.

Here's their website: www.ibexbikes.com (http://www.ibexbikes.com)

Strangely, you can often find them selling their bikes on Ebay, too.

Good luck!


Someone on MTBR.com recommended Ibex as well. Maybe it was you.

Thanks for the recommendation.

Much appreciated.

Mark

[AdeptComp]

No, it wasn't me. But I tracked down that thread, and I agree with everything he says. It's a carefully spec'ced bike - Another thing that really impressed me is the radially laced front wheel - Just a little bit of weight savings that was'nt necessary, but shows they're paying careful attention. Unfortunately, I don't have a spare Thomson stem lying around for my daughter...

I've seen the comparable Specialized, and the Ibex seems like the better bike to my (semi) educated eyes.

And that 440KS with disk brakes, in screaming yellow, is way cool. Of course, it's $50 more. And my daughter insisted on the blue. Ah well...