Recommend XS 26" hardtail for my son

winlikefin

Hi

I'm looking for advice - my 8 year old son is currently riding a 24" wheel Merida mtb and is getting too big for it (about 4ft 9 or so).

I'm looking to get him a new bike for Christmas - 26" wheels, was thinking of getting an XS adult bike.

He does some xc racing so I'm looking for something half decent and not too heavy!

Budget??? There's a possibility that I may be able to get this through a cycle to work scheme so anything up to £1000 would be considered although obviously if I have to pay for it myself then I'd be looking at up to £600.

Hope you can help!

F.

passout

Well, it's still a kids bike but this maybe suitable - 26 inch wheels. I think it would be ideal.

http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/ ... 6-09-32873

bartimaeus

Boardman Ladies MTB Fi 0 15in - not as light as the previous years model unfortunately, but worth trying it for size as I think it will be a good fit - the women's specific 15in models are shorter than the men's bikes... and this one doesn't have an offensive colour. Good kit and an air fork so you can adjust as your son gets heavier. Silly tyres, though.

The Rookie

I would think a 15" would be too large, ideally wants a 13 or 14" frame.

This would be ideal http://www.decathlon.co.uk/81-2012-id_8168918.html if it fits, but shortest recomended size is 155cm (5'1").

My daughter is 5'3" but very short in the leg, she has used trials style frames fitted as MTB to get the sizing she wants, worth considering.....

supersonic

This is ok for the money:

http://www.biker-boarder.de/shopware/Ko ... ntain-Bike

cooldad

And a free camera

97th choice

Trek used to do some pretty small frame sizes, I picked up a 13" frame 3700 that my daughter uses.

Alibran

Cube do small frames. I've just bought a 13" Access WLS in a totally inoffensive colour.

bartimaeus

Alibran wrote:

Cube do small frames. I've just bought a 13" Access WLS in a totally inoffensive colour.

Where abouts and how much? I'm also looking for a bike for my 10 year old - ideally sub 13kg and with an air fork. I suggested the Boardman Fi 15in as my lad, who is not that big for 10, looked OK on it - though a smaller size might be slightly better. I've also been looking at the Access WLS, the Radons and the Canyon Yellowstone.

My plan is to sell this to the OH as an expense now - but then his next bike is a re-frame only! And if I sell on his Islabike it suddenly all looks less like a very expensive Christmas present!

winlikefin

Thanks for all the feedback and ideas!
I think a 15" frame would be too big - for standover but more importantly for reach.
Weight is a definite concern and the Islabikes is scoring very highly here - approx 11kg although it is £700!

The Kona from Germany is interesting but I don't see any weight listed.
Any comments on this? Is it a better bike than the Islabikes (for similar money - which has better spec?)
http://www.bike-discount.de/shop/k1830/ ... -blue.html

I know I have some time before Santa needs to get his order but time has a way of flitting away while I'm doing something else!

lostboysaint

On-One Inbred X5 XS.

Or take your pic from Islabikes.

supersonic

The Acid is ok, but a bit portly for the money - and the fork does not have motion control as stated.

winlikefin

Thanks - prompt responses!
The On-one is not available in the size I need.
The comment re the Acid is exactly the information I need.
Thanks.
Now to keep looking!

winlikefin

Been looking around - any comments on this one?
http://www.dalescycles.com/2013-giant-r ... lack-p4825

I think I can get it in XS from the LBS (I'll have to bargain on the price though).

I just wanted to know would this be suitable for the wee son? Any ideas on the weight - can't find anything online.

supersonic

The fork really lets it down, is a right clunker!

Most bikes at this price will weigh 30-33lbs.

The Rookie

Agree with SS, the XCT fork is frankly horrid....

paul.skibum

A mate of mine bought an Islabike for his daughter - she loved it and has recently progressed to a custom 5 spot.

winlikefin

LBS is suggesting a Giant Talon 1 (S) on Cycle to Work.
I can get an XS Giant Revel frame that I can transfer the bits on to until he's ready for the 'S' frame.

Advantages:
Talon is a 'decent' bike (is it?)
gets the bike on C2W (no cash outlay)
Disadvantage:
it's a bit of a faff
8 year old on a £1000 bike! He had better keep at it!

Any comments? Am I doing something right or am I deluding myself?

F.

The Rookie

8year old on a £1K bike is a recipe for getting it knicked, also of course if your found out for the abuse of the C2W you'll be liable for a wedge of tax.

supersonic

The Talon 1 2013 is really poor for the money.

winlikefin

I'm troubled that the Talon 1 is poor for the money. I want this purchase to be light enough and good enough to last for a good few years. Is it the frame, fork or components that let it down?

The LBS I plan to use is a Giant dealer, they also do Merida frames.
Other shops on the C2W scheme do Cannondale, Scott and Specialized.
I have practically no background in mtb so have no idea what is good or not - this is why I'm on here!
Is there a bike from one of the other brands that would provide better value?

supersonic

It is not just Giant - a lot of 2013 bikes are poor value. Decathlon, Halfords and the German shops offer much better machines for the money, but these may not be on your scheme.

Picking up an older 2012 model, if possible, might be an option.

winlikefin

Will the 2012 version have the same fork?
I've been told (by the LBS) that it's a good one...
Halfords & Decathlon are on the scheme although I've been put off Halfords by all the negative stories (& the Decathlon website is down right now!). I doubt I'd be able to get the German shops on the scheme though!
Another reason for keeping it local is the extra step I'm adding with the swapping the bits onto the XS frame in the short term.

supersonic

As with any shop, some are good, some are bad, and this includes Halfords. But you would be getting a MUCH better bike for the cash. if you can find one that fits. Same with Decathlon.

The fork is a good budget unit: the Rockrider 8.1 from Decathlon has the same fork at £500. At a grand you can get bikes with RS Rebas and SIDs, far lighter and much more adjustable.

winlikefin

The Halfords website has the Boardman bikes as 'not available to buy at this time' & the Decathlon website is still down!

Looks like I'll have to do it the old fashioned way and actually call down to the shop!
The fit may not be a huge issue as I was going to get the XS revel frame and transfer the bits anyway (hassle hassle hassle!)

Although Chain reactions are on the scheme & they have this - http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=85751 - any use?

supersonic

The Arete is a good buy - is listed as a ladies bike, but that just means some very small tweaks in geometry. I'd ride one!

winlikefin

and being an XS it will probably save me a bit of faffing!
Right - off to CRC at the weekend!

floosy

Another vote for Isla Bikes..