[Inclag]

My son's 6th birthday is coming up and he's asking for a new bike which I'm stoked about. He likes riding his bike and we've been going on the cart roads in the town forest some for little 15-20 minute rides with some breaks and exploring burned in so fingers crossed I may have a new mountain bike riding buddy in a few more years if the interest continues to grow.

He's always been tall and is still on the 95% percentile track for height and is around 51-52" height now so he's well outgrown his 16" wheeled bike.

Given that it is winter, I kind of feel that going straight to a 24" wheeled bike is probably a safe bet as the 20" mountain bikes look pretty tiny.

I originally considering the new Specialized Riprock 24, but the wife nixed that when I told her it was $700 and I didn't feel the need to argue about ROI or the ability to actually upgrade as the frame uses common adult bike standards (tapered ht, thru axles, etc.) so after some discussion we fell on a upper end budget of ~$500.

I'm considering a few different options;

Framed Cable

Cable Kids Mountain Bike

You've graduated! You put in the time and practice on a smaller bike, but now it's time for you to step up. Your turn to finally hit some of the trails with mom and dad on the weekends, time for a suspension fork, and time for some speed. The completely redesigned Framed Cable has 9 Speed...

www.framedbikes.com

REI REV DRT 24

Co-op Cycles REV DRT 24 Kids' Bike | REI Co-op

Those awkward tween/teen years just got a lot easier—on singletrack at least. With wide tires and disc brakes, the Co-op Cycles REV DRT 24 kids' bike gives riders confidence to step up their game.

www.rei.com

Jamis Komodo

Komodo® 24

With a real mountain bike cockpit, meaty 2.8 tires and powerful disc brakes, Komodo® 24 isn’t shy about its intentions.

www.jamisbikes.com

I'm aware I'm probably over thinking this, but I'm currently leaning towards the Jamis. I guess if we're going to fork out the money, I'd like to try to get something that he can grow and adapt with. It's reasonably light and I'm sure I could find an old 1 1/8 air fork as my son grows if he takes more of an interest.

Are there other options or things I should be considering?

 

[sunringlerider]

https://www.commencalusa.com/ramones-24-black-white-2021-c2x31842185

My daughter has the 14” scoot bike from them. For a scoot bike it’s very well constructed. I would wager the 24” is a decent bike as well.

 

[MikeD]

I loved Cleary bikes for lightness and simplicity.

For a 24" the Cannondale Kujo got our vote.

I like rigid bikes for kids too light to really make a suspension work. The Kujo comes with 2.6 tires so it's fairly plushy.

It was $500 IIRC; my brother may have just gotten one for less online.

 

[Changleen]

The only non-$1000 kids bike I have seen with useful sus is Scott’s offerings. Slightly random but actually useful for young riders.

 

[Inclag]

I loved Cleary bikes for lightness and simplicity.

For a 24" the Cannondale Kujo got our vote.

I like rigid bikes for kids too light to really make a suspension work. The Kujo comes with 2.6 tires so it's fairly plushy.

It was $500 IIRC; my brother may have just gotten one for less online.

Thanks for the suggestion on the Cujo 24!!!!!! Looks like a solid bike and can be had for sub $500 through a sale at Level9.

I like that it has a super low BB and being a Cannondale I'd imagine that the frame is probably an upgrade compared to the other options. Good for some added stability and confidence building and could play well with a suspension fork upgrade some years out if it were to get to that stage.

 

[jonKranked]

I went through exactly this last winter. My son was turning 6 in March (7 this March) and had grown enough I decided to skip 20" and go straight to 24". I got him a Giant STP 24 and he loves it. Took right to it. Hydro disk brakes, 8 speed 1x drivetrain (Microsoft advent, 40 or 42t cassette). Great ergonomics for a kid. Definitely upgradeable. I've already taken him on some easy trail rides and he took right to it.


Edit: this is the model, but it looks like the price went up a bit. I did not pay $650 for it, I think it was about a hundred less.

I should also add it was one of the few bikes that was actually available. I pre-ordered it through my LBS.

STP 24 FS (2024) | bike | Giant Bicycles US

www.giant-bicycles.com

 

[jonKranked]

Thanks for the suggestion on the Cujo 24!!!!!! Looks like a solid bike and can be had for sub $500 through a sale at Level9.

I like that it has a super low BB and being a Cannondale I'd imagine that the frame is probably an upgrade compared to the other options. Good for some added stability and confidence building and could play well with a suspension fork upgrade some years out if it were to get to that stage.

Personally I don't think larger tires work well for kids unless it's a fully rigid bike, extra weight and rolling resistance. One of the problems I saw on a lot of kids bikes is just the weight.

 

[TreeSaw]

Personally I don't think larger tires work well for kids unless it's a fully rigid bike, extra weight and rolling resistance. One of the problems I saw on a lot of kids bikes is just the weight.

I thought the same about tires until I watched my youngest start ripping on her salsa 20". It gives her great stability and a bit of "cush". She will literally ride anything (gets that from her dad) and I don't seem to notice any issues with the weight & rolling resistance. Might just be the way she rides too. She's a pedal masher like her dad.

 

[stoney]

Personally I don't think larger tires work well for kids unless it's a fully rigid bike, extra weight and rolling resistance. One of the problems I saw on a lot of kids bikes is just the weight.

Friend is having this issue with his kid. Loves riding, hates riding his REI bike.

There is a long ass thread where we went through this (all kids 24" bikes) in detail and have it listed out.

 

[jonKranked]

Friend is having this issue with his kid. Loves riding, hates riding his REI bike.

There is a long ass thread where we went through this (all kids 24" bikes) in detail and have it listed out.

the rei 24" bike was on my list simply because it was available. decided it was too heavy. i mean its not bad, my neighbor's kid has one. but his kid is 9 or 10.

 

[Sandwich]

agree that wide tires seem silly for a kid that isn't pushing the volume of a 2.0 tire. heavier, added rotating weight, and not much need for added floatation. I get the shock absorption vs. a fork though.

My daughter loved her spec hardrock 20". I think a lot of that was down to a bike that worked right and had a nice, light, aluminum frame. my vote would go toward a rigid, lightweight aluminum bike over anything else. I'd also be wary of gears- I can't get my daughter to shift. She rides just fine, but virtually never shifts- so an 8 speed setup or even a single speed would be fine.

 

[slyfink]

My boys have been riding "+" bikes for three bikes now, starting with a Commençal Ramones 20+, 24+, and now a 27+ Norco hardtail. I've never felt the + tires held them back at all. They're totally fine around town, and even did well at the pump track and indoor bike park. For trail riding it's been great. They offer great traction on roots and rocks, so they have been able to ride confidently. In my opinion, it's made a big difference in their learning to ride, and like it.