new bike for daughter

hamish_hebridean

My soon to be ten year old daughter currently has a (heavy) 20" Decathlon bike that she struggles with on hills. I had a look at Islabikes, but they have all gone up in price. One for her would be £300 (11kg) with only an 8 speed cassette and going to the likes of LLandegla she could do with a better range. My six year old has a Beinn 20" and it is unbelievably light, but he struggles on long climbs with just a 6 speed cassette.

I have looked at a few to get her for her birthday / Christmas, with a £250 max budget. They all seem pretty heavy, having looked at Pinnacle and Revolution bikes. Wiggle have a Felt Q24 for £250, while Evans has a Kona Hula reduced to £240. No idea about their weights. I have also considered the Ridgeback MX24 and the Destiny as well as a Specialized Hotrock.

The best bargain appears to be a 2009 Marin Bayview Trail reduced to £249 with the 2010 at £325.

Has anyone any recommendations from experience? I have decent Specialized road and mountain bikes myself, so I rate them highly as a manufacturer, but even they appear to be giving you far less for your money these days in terms of kit.

Thinking of going with the Marin at the moment, but advice appreciated please.

dsmiff

Will she not fit a small ladies 26" bike, my son rides at Llandegla and is on a 14" Kraken, he was still 8 when he first got it, now 10 - I was say he was one of the taller lad's in his class, but a few inches off the tallest.

My youngest will be getting it from him after Christmas; the bigger wheels roll better, especially on the open red section that is getting quite rocky.