First MTB for 9 year old girl

[mad al]

Hi guys, any recommendations for a suitable MTB for our daughter would be very much appreciated.

Al

 

[Mr Pig]

Biggest tip, the lightest one you can find!

Most of the kids bikes sold on places like Halfords are designed to look flash. Many even have useless bits bolted on to make them look like motorbikes etc. Failing that they have very poor quality full suspension that weighs a ton and makes the bike ride like a pogo stick. Kids don't really need any suspension on their bikes.

Get one that's light and simple. If you've got the money the best ones I've seen are Islabikes. These people are really on the ball.

Failing that just look for one from a quality manufacturer but don't forget the weight. We have two kids bikes made by Scott and Specialized, both decent manufacturers, but the bikes are still very heavy.

Did I mention the weight? ;0)

 

[mad al]

Biggest tip, the lightest one you can find!

Most of the kids bikes sold on places like Halfords are designed to look flash. Many even have useless bits bolted on to make them look like motorbikes etc. Failing that they have very poor quality full suspension that weighs a ton and makes the bike ride like a pogo stick. Kids don't really need any suspension on their bikes.

Get one that's light and simple. If you've got the money the best ones I've seen are Islabikes. These people are really on the ball.

Failing that just look for one from a quality manufacturer but don't forget the weight. We have two kids bikes made by Scott and Specialized, both decent manufacturers, but the bikes are still very heavy.

Did I mention the weight? ;0)

Excellent, thanks Mr P

 

[02GF74]

hmmmm, it is a trade off of buying something decent = expensive knowing that within a couple of years, it will be too small so sold on or passed on to next kiddie in line.

naturally girls of that age would want a pink bike.

 

[Panter]

Islabikes looked fantastic but they were just too far away for us to go and sit her on one.

We ended up getting her a Specialized Hotrock (in Pink ) and I've been pleased with so far.

It's extremely light compared to her last Halfrauds bike and she finds it far easier going uphill now
Fair value for money too, IIRC it was around £220.00

 

[mocker]

Kona?

http://www.konaworld.com/09_bikes.htm

 

[Mr Pig]

We ended up getting her a Specialized Hotrock

We have a boys one of those, it's a decent bike, and a Scott Contessa for the girl.

I don't see buying quality bikes as a trade off at all. I looked at the used prices before I bought them and bikes like the Hotrock and Contessa hold far more value than cheaper bikes. Over the life of them, assuming they're kept in good condition and can be sold on, I think they'll work out cheaper! My kids hardly use their bikes so they're immaculate! :0(

Plus they're put together properly. We had a Giant kids bike and there were dangerous faults on it. Sometimes you have to ask how much your child's safety is worth.

 

[mad al]

hmmmm, it is a trade off of buying something decent = expensive knowing that within a couple of years, it will be too small so sold on or passed on to next kiddie in line.

naturally girls of that age would want a pink bike.

yep, it has to be pink

 

[mad al]

Islabikes looked fantastic but they were just too far away for us to go and sit her on one.

We ended up getting her a Specialized Hotrock (in Pink ) and I've been pleased with so far.

It's extremely light compared to her last Halfrauds bike and she finds it far easier going uphill now
Fair value for money too, IIRC it was around £220.00

Halfrauds they are, I've never bought one from there and never would

 

[mad al]

Kona?

http://www.konaworld.com/09_bikes.htm

Thanks for that, yes I have been thinking on one, I'm a big Kona fan

 

[Globalti]

Islabikes, no contest. I can just about ride my son's and it rides like a dream. Lightweight too.

 

[Mr Pig]

I'm a big Kona fan

Get those in Halfords ;0)

 

[karen.488walker]

hmmmm, it is a trade off of buying something decent = expensive knowing that within a couple of years, it will be too small so sold on or passed on to next kiddie in line.

naturally girls of that age would want a pink bike.

Do you have younger boys? Just bought mine a scott spark. Have a younger girl and it will be passed on to her. Decided it was better for them to have a quality bike rather than a pink one. and because I've spent more it has to be passed on. + they really do cycle on mountains so only regret is not getting one with disk brakes. Claud Butler do some kids bikes too I think.

 

[karen.488walker]

http://www.bikes2udirect.com/B2441.html
no idea if it's any good but am sure someone else will. looks better than hellfords and reasonbly priced.

 

[Crackle]

Absolutely 2nd the Islabikes. My only caveat is if your child is planning to do more than rough trails and paths, then the smaller one's like the Beinn20 just don't have the right geometry. My oldest (11), also doesn't want one because they don't have any 'cool' factor about them, though he hasn't seen the latest disc brake, font sus one and I'm not sure he will looking at the price

But setup, weight and ability wise, they are way ahead of most kids bikes and now seem to understand they need a 'wow factor' bike for older, trend conscious kids.

I'd also recommend a Trek MT60, it will take a lot of abuse and is lighter and more adjustable than most kids bikes. Here's son no.1 in action on one on a small downhill trail in Scotland (And is wot I mean about them taking abuse)