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Hi all, I'm thinking of getting the marin hawk hill 2018 fir my eldest lad. The xs size should just about fit him ( he just about makes the minimum measurement) . It's currently on offer for £900 at Rutland cycles. Before I do. Any better alternative??
Love my Rift Zone. Not the same bike but similar enough to know that Marin are making some great bikes recently.
So I would say go for it.
Calibre bossnut is about the only other alternative. I looked at both and thought the calibre was better. Ended up buying a whyte mind as I personally thought it would benefit laddo.
I thought about the boss ut, but smallest is 15.5 inch frame, marin is a 13. Boy is ten this year so needs an xs frame
At that age would he not be better on a decent hardtail to start with? My only concern would be whether that shock and forks could be tuned enough for his light weight? I too started my lad out on an trek xs bike but it was a hardtail, he made the switch to my old full suss at 12 as the trek was becoming too small, feet were buzzing the front wheel at low speed. Just a thought anyhow.
Do check the exact measurements before you dismiss certain sizes. One sizes 13" can be bigger than anothers 15". Particularly reach and stack.
For small, look second hand.
We just got a Giant Liv Lust in weeny flavour for 5' tall mrs_oab. It's way lighter and better equipped than a £900 new bike. Cost us £700.
I went Liv too, but was <£500 🙂 Liv Embolden 2. Great bike and the boy loves it !
I have been looking at second hand, defo better value. It's just finding one atm!
Get a wanted up on here and pinkbike, Facebook MTB or bikes for sale.
That said, the facebook ones seem to have a lot of expensive FS bikes in Large being swapped by 13 year old teens by the name of Jorden, complete with breaks and roxshox...
Now there is a glitch... If I link to a specific advert, it just reverts to the main classified page.
Go to classified - search for Titus.
maybe have a look at Pauls bikes for a heavily discounted model. Doubt will find much better than that Marin though esp in that size. Looks great.
Think Norco had some cheap discounted FS models somewhere last time someone asked about a Bossnut.
Cheers guys, Facebook is a minefield, sone dodgy looking characters! Have looked on Paul but nothing there. Are Evans still the sole Norco dealers?
Facebook is challenging, BUT, be fussy and it can work.
Last two bikes we bought were from FB groups, you can see folks profiles. Choosing one who has lots of riding pics, member of local bike club, friend of a friend's friend etc has proven possible.
For age 10, I’d build or buy a lightweight Hardtail, I just don’t think the benefits of full sus outweigh the weight increase at that age.
Agree with the hardtail, but he really wants a full suss and tbh if it provides nothing more than a placebo effect then it's worth it to keep his interest. Saw a lad who looked about the same height at cannock today riding a small looking orange five. Could have been woman specific. Looks good though.