1st MTB for 9-10 yr old daughter, 26" or 27.5"?
11-08-15, 05:30 AM
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1st MTB for 9-10 yr old daughter, 26" or 27.5"?
Looking at moving my soon to be 10 yr old daughter up from her 20" big box store bike, she's almost 4'10" so I think a 24" might not last long enough for my liking. I'm looking at the Giant/Liv Enchant 1 which is 26" but includes Altus/Acera drivetrain; for a bit less I could get a Trek 820 26" with a Tourney drivetrain, or from a different LBS I could get a Specialized Myka with a Tourney drivetrain but is a 27.5". Should I go for something a bit bigger like the Specialized that would last her longer or get the Liv which has slightly better components, we live in Texas suburbia so any off road punishment will not be too severe.
11-09-15, 09:35 AM
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Variety of considerations: budget, child-suitable component size (esp. brake lever reach), resale value as well as the ones you've already looked at. Plus consideration of skill levels needed for your local terrain and whether or not she's likely to want to learn how to bunny hop, jump and do other things inclined to terrify a loving parent.
As a UK resident and coach, I'm not familiar with the models you've listed, but as far as size is concerned, you could do worse than look at the Islabikes website sizing chart Size guide - Islabikes to give you some idea of what might be suitable in general. You could then crosscheck the dimensions of the Beinn 26 (large) which seems to be in her ballpark against those you've looked at.
I'm not a great fan of suspension forks for kids new to mtb'ing - cheap ones are more like pogo sticks and can weigh a ton (ish). My resoning is that such forks enable a kid to go faster than their skill level allows. They will always crash, but the limitation imposed by rigid forks keeps the speed lower so the ground/child interface crunch is less damaging (for bike as well).
It's not my plastic that's about to be hammered and Islabikes are on the pricy side, but their resale value is phenominally high (80%+ after 12/24 months is not uncommon in the UK), so the cost per week ridden is pretty good. And no, I'm not on commission. And kid satisfaction rates a pretty high as well.
As far as getting a slighlty big one is concerned (apologies if I'm teach granny to suck eggs), it makes bike control more difficult, so adjustability in reach and saddle height is paramount. Whatever you chose, good luck and happy family riding.
As a UK resident and coach, I'm not familiar with the models you've listed, but as far as size is concerned, you could do worse than look at the Islabikes website sizing chart Size guide - Islabikes to give you some idea of what might be suitable in general. You could then crosscheck the dimensions of the Beinn 26 (large) which seems to be in her ballpark against those you've looked at.
I'm not a great fan of suspension forks for kids new to mtb'ing - cheap ones are more like pogo sticks and can weigh a ton (ish). My resoning is that such forks enable a kid to go faster than their skill level allows. They will always crash, but the limitation imposed by rigid forks keeps the speed lower so the ground/child interface crunch is less damaging (for bike as well).
It's not my plastic that's about to be hammered and Islabikes are on the pricy side, but their resale value is phenominally high (80%+ after 12/24 months is not uncommon in the UK), so the cost per week ridden is pretty good. And no, I'm not on commission. And kid satisfaction rates a pretty high as well.
As far as getting a slighlty big one is concerned (apologies if I'm teach granny to suck eggs), it makes bike control more difficult, so adjustability in reach and saddle height is paramount. Whatever you chose, good luck and happy family riding.
11-09-15, 09:55 AM
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Again, in the teachiing granny to suck eggs area, have you tried https://bikehouston.org/ for contacts/advice? There also seems to be quite a lot of internet cycling activity around Katy
11-11-15, 01:10 PM
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You mention limited off road use, so perhaps staying away from suspension forks would be a good approach? You could narrow the choices from there.
A used 26" rigid mtb in XXS or 13" or whatever would be great. Toss some slicks on it instead of the heavy and slow knobby tires and she could have a great bike that is more responsive and lighter than a new heavy cheap forked suspension mtb.
Used rigid mtbs, depending on what you get, are typically great deals- cheaper price and WAY better components than something entry level and new. Of course, it means finding something in her size that's used.
Buy rigid frame
Install slicks
Kid has fun
Whatever you decide(new or used, rigid or travel fork)- don't buy a bike for her to grow into in a couple years. That means 2 years of a bike that's too big. Yes, kids outgrow bikes and its a money suck- but there is craigslist to buy used bikes that others have outgrown and sell your old ones.
A used 26" rigid mtb in XXS or 13" or whatever would be great. Toss some slicks on it instead of the heavy and slow knobby tires and she could have a great bike that is more responsive and lighter than a new heavy cheap forked suspension mtb.
Used rigid mtbs, depending on what you get, are typically great deals- cheaper price and WAY better components than something entry level and new. Of course, it means finding something in her size that's used.
Buy rigid frame
Install slicks
Kid has fun
Whatever you decide(new or used, rigid or travel fork)- don't buy a bike for her to grow into in a couple years. That means 2 years of a bike that's too big. Yes, kids outgrow bikes and its a money suck- but there is craigslist to buy used bikes that others have outgrown and sell your old ones.
11-11-15, 01:29 PM
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When my son was that age, we went with a used Trek 800 with 26" wheels. It was a hardtail, so no suspension at all. We mounted 1.6" slicks on it for easier rolling. It was a great first adult bike that he pretty much rode everywhere including some 30 to 35 mile rides, where he had no trouble keeping up with adults and older kids riding 700c wheels.
11-19-15, 10:12 AM
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I ended up getting her the 26" Liv in a 13" frame, she fits on it wel and loves it
11-19-15, 10:28 AM
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Cannondale and Fuji have nice looking 24in hybrids this year. Seems like with the niche identified the bigger companies want to compete in it.
https://www.fujibikes.com/bike/details/absolute-24-
https://www.cannondale.com/en/USA/Bik...2-549fce5c9aee
https://www.fujibikes.com/bike/details/absolute-24-
https://www.cannondale.com/en/USA/Bik...2-549fce5c9aee
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Last edited by Darth Lefty; 11-19-15 at 11:06 AM.
11-19-15, 03:38 PM
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What is the deal with Cdale using a left single side fork on a kids bike that’s meant to stay on pavement? Funky…in not a great way.
Your post does bring something up that I thought about when originally responding to this thread- why are 26” rigid bikes not offered? Seems like a market that would be flooded with buyers since almost nobody who buys a $400 or less bike is using it for offroading, so the suspension is a waste. It would be cheaper to manufacture and the savings could go into a bump up in components or wheels. ßthis assumes a suspension fork, in volume, costs more than a rigid. It must, right?
26” rigid frame and fork around town and path bikes would be fantastic for kids 10 and up as well as shorter women. As it is, if someone wants a new 26” bike that doesn’t have a suspension fork, the only offerings are comfort step thru bikes.
That used rigid MTB market continues to be undervalued.
Your post does bring something up that I thought about when originally responding to this thread- why are 26” rigid bikes not offered? Seems like a market that would be flooded with buyers since almost nobody who buys a $400 or less bike is using it for offroading, so the suspension is a waste. It would be cheaper to manufacture and the savings could go into a bump up in components or wheels. ßthis assumes a suspension fork, in volume, costs more than a rigid. It must, right?
26” rigid frame and fork around town and path bikes would be fantastic for kids 10 and up as well as shorter women. As it is, if someone wants a new 26” bike that doesn’t have a suspension fork, the only offerings are comfort step thru bikes.
That used rigid MTB market continues to be undervalued.
11-25-15, 12:29 AM
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What is the deal with Cdale using a left single side fork on a kids bike that’s meant to stay on pavement? Funky…in not a great way.
Your post does bring something up that I thought about when originally responding to this thread- why are 26” rigid bikes not offered? Seems like a market that would be flooded with buyers since almost nobody who buys a $400 or less bike is using it for offroading, so the suspension is a waste. It would be cheaper to manufacture and the savings could go into a bump up in components or wheels. ßthis assumes a suspension fork, in volume, costs more than a rigid. It must, right?
26” rigid frame and fork around town and path bikes would be fantastic for kids 10 and up as well as shorter women. As it is, if someone wants a new 26” bike that doesn’t have a suspension fork, the only offerings are comfort step thru bikes.
That used rigid MTB market continues to be undervalued.
Your post does bring something up that I thought about when originally responding to this thread- why are 26” rigid bikes not offered? Seems like a market that would be flooded with buyers since almost nobody who buys a $400 or less bike is using it for offroading, so the suspension is a waste. It would be cheaper to manufacture and the savings could go into a bump up in components or wheels. ßthis assumes a suspension fork, in volume, costs more than a rigid. It must, right?
26” rigid frame and fork around town and path bikes would be fantastic for kids 10 and up as well as shorter women. As it is, if someone wants a new 26” bike that doesn’t have a suspension fork, the only offerings are comfort step thru bikes.
That used rigid MTB market continues to be undervalued.
Fuji Bikes | ROAD | KIDS' SERIES | ACE 650
26" (meaning 559) is mountain bike size and good mountain bikes have suspension so no suspension means bad old bike and who wants a bad old bike? It's all just marketing.
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11-25-15, 11:13 AM
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A more global question would be why do 90% of geared kids' bikes have suspension forks? My kids will likely never go mountain biking and what I want are lightweight bikes with narrow tires and rack and fender mounts, features that sadly can only be found at the higher end of the market. As with "hybrid" bikes, I think the mass market is catering to be people who don't really know how they want to use the bike and buy the hype of a "all purpose" bike.
Trek has a rigid fork dual-sport 26" bike for kids:
DS Series | Dual sport | City | Bikes |
as does Islabike:
Islabikes Beinn 26 large ? Lightweight bike for children age 10+
Trek has a rigid fork dual-sport 26" bike for kids:
DS Series | Dual sport | City | Bikes |
as does Islabike:
Islabikes Beinn 26 large ? Lightweight bike for children age 10+
12-16-15, 10:50 AM
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A 24" bike 'might not last long enough for your liking' (she'll outgrow it too fast to suit you)?
Get over yourself.. Buy a bike that fits the child. THIS is the legitimate niche for big-box-store bikes, to ease the inevitable growth of children.
Get over yourself.. Buy a bike that fits the child. THIS is the legitimate niche for big-box-store bikes, to ease the inevitable growth of children.
