So, finally she’s enjoying riding and we can go for a cruise as a family. Unfortunately her bike us crap. It’s a very heavy front susser from Halfords with horrible twist shift which she hates. Would anyone give me the benefit of experience and recommend something lightish with pref trigger shifts that won’t break the bank? She’s tall for her age so I’m thinking 24′ wheels?. Only paved trails in the main and can’t see her riding any trails so suspension probably superfluous.

Thank in advance

If she’s tall for her age then you should be looking at a small 26″ wheeled bike.
Which makes the choice much easier – Islabikes if you’re feeling flush?

Agree my boy was 9 and rode a 14 inch gt with 26 inch wheels

I built my oldest a 14″ Inbred when she was 9 ish and got it painted in her choice of colour (bright blue!). Tad big then but worked out well, ran 1×9. I will be selling f&f soon as she has finally grown out of it.

Thanks guys. Ballpark figure on the inbred Clink? In case Clink’s f&f is too rich for me, are there any makes/models anyone would recommend? I’ll start having a scout around myself too 🙂

Cheers!

Errr – 14″ ss inbred which has been run with gears (1×9) with dropout adapter (included) (run for 3-4 years no issues). Matching steel forks. Probably £100 plus postage cost? I need to source replacement before I can sell though (I’ll put an ad up now).

Pic of it in 2009

I love the look of that! Keep me in mind would you please?

Cheers 🙂

Nb* she wants the pedals!!!!

We have a couple of bikes that would fit that bill….
The Trek (13″) was a bargain of classifieds here – all but unused. Fork was lightly used, boxed, with manuals and pumps off retrobike, as were XTR shifters and brakes, flat bars etc. Total cost £160. middle_oab loves how fast and light it is, and the fact that he can feel the forks actually working – and was amazed last week when we messed with the rebound and he could feel the difference…

It gets a proper thrashing..

Comrie Croft by matt_outandabout, on Flickr
.
Eldest OAB has an Isla Bikes Beinn 26 – that again is light and nippy. Cost twice what the Trek did nearly – again including the newish and perfectly working Manitou forks and some new (proper, light and supple) tyres, rather than rock hard ones.
Again, it gets a proper thrashing…


Carron Valley by matt_outandabout, on Flickr

Matt they look ace but I’ve seen her flounce – she would be.massively over biked on either!

The Specialized Hardrock or Hotrock in 24″ wheel size is good for tall kids. It was just too big when we were buying it for an 8 yr old, but would be perfect now. As above though, you may get more life out of a very small 26″ wheel’d bike

We are about to sell a 24″ wheel Kona Hula…

themilo – if you are still interested we’ve just bought a new bike so, once I’ve changed over a few bits, we will have almost a complete bike available. Drop me an e-mail (in profile) if interested.

I will soon have a 24″ wheel specialised hotrock, based on an 11″ frame, for sale.
My daughter is a gangly (just turned 11yo) and it’s now too small.
Drop me a line if you fancy first dibs.
Claytonmdc70 at btinternet dot com

Hi
I’m also looking for a 26″ little mtb for my large 10 yr old. Considering the Isla Creig but it’s well over budget! Message me if you have something like the bikes in this thread to sell!
Cheers

sambuka ygm