I have been shopping for a bike for my 8 year-old (I think she is finally able to balance) but the thought of spending a couple hundred bucks is not too appealing. The kids bikes are pretty damn heavy in all price ranges. Even the tagalong (or whatever it is called) we use is heavier than my bike.
As kids, for years we got along with our heavy bikes with one gear and big fenders but if I had known I could have been taller (only 6'4" now), I would have avoided them.
We'll se what happens.