My 13-year old son is after a Jump bike for xmas and I need advice on what's good and what's not…I have only ever XCd.
He's very keen and capable and is offering to sell his existing bikes to contribute (Hoffman BMX & Spec Hotrock)…I'm struggling to say no.
He has asked for a 2009 Specialized P1 (at around £450)…is this any good? Should we be considering anything else in the range £400-£500??

Mrs D thinks this is silly money for a 13 yr old but I figure that he's on his bike 2/3 times per week at least andhe'll still be using it when he's 15….
…..help?

p1's seem good to me, mongoose do some great value hardtails as well, and have you checked norco and scott? They all make decent enough jump bikes for someone of his age and the whilst he might trash the bits all the frames should stand up to the abuse!

My son got, an older version of, one of these a few years ago and both he and I were mightily impressed by its bombproofness. He's since graduated to an Atomlab with 24" wheels for jumping and park stuff and a Kona Stinky for the more, er, reckless tomfoolery that 16yr olds do. 🙂

Thanks … based on rrp there appears to be two versions of the P1 and the P2 with some overlap on price I any ideas on spec levels and rideability?

Selling on behalf of my best mate, he wants a more all round MTB, only ever ridden for a bit of street (commute!) this bike is in VGC, built up custom – nice spec…

Frame: 24Seven Slacker – Steel / Pearlescent White
Forks: Unknown Bike Rigid – Steel / White
Headset: Cane Creek S3
Wheel-Set: 24" Halo Combat / Diatech Hub's / Halo White Bolt skewers
Tyres: 24" Halo Street Tyres (Pair fitted) / comes with a pair of Maxxis HighRollers 24 x 2.7 Supertacky as spares for dirt duties
Brake: (REAR) Shimano XTR Disc brake / White Lever / 160mm rotor
Drive-Train: 24Seven Superfat 3-piece cranks / 24Seven single-speed spacer kit & cog / KMC single-speed GOLD chain
Finishing Kit: 24Seven 50mm stem / 24Seven Riser bars / ODI lock-on Grips / Seven DJ saddle & post / 24Seven clamp / DMR v12's Pearl White

£320 collected Leeds (Bike looks and rides AS NEW!)

I have no idea what they're like but I saw a P1 like this in the window of my local leisure lakes and its looooooooooovely!

DMR are cool for school

Thanks for the guidance – just been speaking to the LBS. Given that we live in a hilly area they are recommending the Specialized P2 Jump Bike(which is 8-speed) rather than the P1 which is single speed (not wanting to offend the SS-ers out there)…and with good discounts around on the 09 model!

secondhand curtis, they go for sod all and are wicked

I've got a P3 which i really rate and run it ss as it is purely for the jumps but yeh go for the geared version he'll get more use out of it

this looks good value at the moment

dmr sidekick

I must admit that DMR looks niice…

I found the p-series bikes too long, which is od seing as i ride a bmx with a 21.75TT !!

Been eyeing up one of these for a long while, ust cant justify 2 bmx's!

Revell DSX-R 24"

Identiti P-45

Thanks Johnik. A DMR Sidekick is now winging its way from CRC and it looks verry nice…my lad may wonder where it has vanished to every now and then!

after finding the DMR (I was half looking for something for myself) I couldn't resist. One winging its way to me as well, bet it looks a lot cooler with your lad on board than a 39 year old who should know better (thats me not you)

Ace!