Help please in choosing a bike for an 8yr old

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MrApple
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Joined: 18 Aug 2017, 1:41pm

Help please in choosing a bike for an 8yr old

Post by MrApple »

Hello, I am needing some advice and guidance.
My son is 8 and a half and very keen on cycling. We don't do roads much as it just isn't that safe ( or fun for him). He is being inspired by his pal who is more advanced in his cycling and jumps etc. However my son enjoys off road/short trail cycling and is getting into doing small jumps....which no doubt will get bigger. He has a very heavy mountain bike which is fine though he is due another one soon and I'm wondering what to look for. It will need to be second hand.I have been advised to look at BMX though I'm not sure this fits the bill. Any thoughts please. I have no knowledge of bikes, so would welcome easy to understand answers! Thank you.
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gaz
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Re: Help please in choosing a bike for an 8yr old

Post by gaz »

Welcome to the forum.

General advice would be to look for 24" wheels and to avoid suspension, it tends to add weight for little practical benefit. However that might not be the right way forward for "jumps". What is his pal riding? If your son is trying to emulate him then something similar could be a good choice.

Much of the advice and many of the comments here will also be relevant.
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MrApple
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Re: Help please in choosing a bike for an 8yr old

Post by MrApple »

Thank you , that's really helpful and given me ideas of how I can whittle down choices.
Much appreciated
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pjclinch
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Re: Help please in choosing a bike for an 8yr old

Post by pjclinch »

BMXs are fine if you're hanging out with the BMX crowd, and if that's playing at mad things in skate-park type venues they're the best there is. For actually getting places they're pants though, with one gear and typically a saddle so low as to be practically useless for pedalling from.

I'd second avoiding suspension at this point. Note that BMXs don't have it and are used for crazy air, the main advantage is soaking up routine bumps on rocky/rooty off-road, but the extra weight is an issue and a lower quality sus fork (typical on a kid's bike) mainly goes "boing" rather than provide properly damped suspension to improve efficiency.

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Often seen riding a bike around Dundee...
Bonefishblues
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Re: Help please in choosing a bike for an 8yr old

Post by Bonefishblues »

One to follow if your son is keen to go the offroad/jump route:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Isla-Bike-Cre ... SwsMpZk1Z-

Less jump-oriented (in fact Isla say don't, on this) but capable of trails:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Red-Isla-Bike ... SwY99ZkJel

Pure road:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Isla-bike-Lua ... Sw~I5ZkyWX
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Si
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Re: Help please in choosing a bike for an 8yr old

Post by Si »

Had a lad turn up on a very nice Pinnacle (Evans own brand) the other day....sorry, can't remember the model. It did look a good, solid bike - 6spd, V brakes, no sus, semi-chunky tyres, and weight wasn't too bad - not quite Isla bikes but still OK. I'm thinking these will be somewhat cheaper than Isla bikes, especially 2nd hand if you can find them.
Bonefishblues
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Re: Help please in choosing a bike for an 8yr old

Post by Bonefishblues »

Indeed, I think we covered the bases in the linked thread.
MrApple
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Re: Help please in choosing a bike for an 8yr old

Post by MrApple »

Thank you all, all the advice and links are great. I will spend some time researching now. As my son is not in with the BMX crowd I will avoid them (the crowds and the BMX's!). He just likes jumps and cycling so I feel more confident as to what I am looking for now. Many thanks.
Bonefishblues
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Re: Help please in choosing a bike for an 8yr old

Post by Bonefishblues »

On the Pinnacle theme, a brand I have a lot of time for, this looks pretty bombproof and a sensible weight:

https://www.evanscycles.com/pinnacle-as ... vMQAvD_BwE

In many ways it's a better choice than its derallieur counterpart:
https://www.evanscycles.com/pinnacle-as ... e-EV275990

Equivalent Hoy cuts a kilo and a bit for an extra £100:
https://www.evanscycles.com/hoy-bonaly- ... e-EV203132

OP, bike sale season is coming/upon us as current year models are cleared for next year's models, so keep your eyes open for bargains.

ETA
Like this, perhaps? Coveted brand, if that's important...

https://www.rutlandcycling.com/297370/p ... black.aspx
SIL4
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Re: Help please in choosing a bike for an 8yr old

Post by SIL4 »

Hi, have sent you a PM.
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