advice on buying an MTB for our son???

blakeya

As above,

We are looking at buying my son a descent MTB. He enjoys riding with us and his bmx just doesnt cut the mustard. Been looking at spesh hotrock but not sure if he needs the 20 or 24" wheeled version. He has a 22 inch inside leg and is exactly 4 ft tall and oif course, still growing.

I'm sure there must be some of you guys had the same/similar dilema. Would you care to share your knowledge or even sell me a bike??

Cheers in advance
Andy

The Spiderman

That's 120cm isn't it? My daughter is the same height and riding a 20.
My older son quickly grew out of the 20 though so don't spend too much.
Because they tend to outgrow a 20 quickly there is always a ready supply of little used second hand bikes on ebay or as lbs trade ins
Carrera Blasts are good inexpensive kids bikes.

blakeya

Yeh, 120cm of there abouts. Was thinking that he would outgrow a 20 mtb quite quickley and was wondering if i could get away with a 24 straight off. I guess its a case of trying him out for size really??

Cheers
Andy

mcnultycop

I've just got my daughter a Rockrider Jr. from Decathlon - I think it was £170.00 for the 24" wheeled version. I looked at the so called bigger brands offerings at this size and they all offered either the same or less spec than Decathlon for £80-100 more. We looked at Halfords too and they had some decent bikes for similar money to the Rockrider, but she preferred the looks of the Rockrider so that swung it.

My little girl is a bit over 4ft so I can't help with sizings, but all the Decathlon kids bikes for that money look good.

stubs

Dont know what your budget is but Isla bikes are kids bikes specialists and they even do a trade in scheme when junior grows out of the original. They are brilliant bikes almost certainly the best kids bikes you can buy.

http://www.islabikes.co.uk/

blakeya

an Isla bike would be nice but In a league of there own I beleive and over my budget unfortunately. I will take a look at the other.

Regards
Andy

Woodmonkey

we just got the 20" carerra blast from halfords it's a nice little bike and he loves it. the blurb says 7-9 years on it if that helps any, the only real way to tell is sit him on some as it's his reach as much as his height that matters.

The Rookie

If you can get him on a 24" it will be much more future proofed.....

When our youngest got her 24" at 10 years old we had the seatpost right down and flipped the saddle clamp to lower it further, within 6 months it was up a good 2-3".

97th choice

Looked at various options and ended up getting my soon to be 10 year old a carrera blast. The 24" hotrock is lighter but the spec isn't as good.

Personally I would go second hand if getting the carrera as you will lose quite a bit when you go to sell it on. less so for a specialized.

Chain reaction (vitus) have also started doing own brand kids bikes which look quite good

lostboysaint

Islabikes always used to do a very good buy back option that made growing up with the brand very straightforward.

booyaka

try for size but at 120cm - a 24" one will be too big i think.

My boy is just 120 cm but he's only 5 and a half years old - the 20" hotrock fits him just. It's probably a touch to big still. I think a 20" one will be right - go a try a few in the shops.

blakeya

Cheers for info

Regards
Andy