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I'm looking for a bike for my 9 year old son to introduce him to mountain biking. Problem is my budget is limited so I am looking at bikes around 150 maximum.
I found this on eBay and it seems ok anyone tried one or anything else out there? Must be brand new.
IMHO there is nothing reasonable out there at the 24" size
i ended up basically making my own including wheels and stuff to get a decent MTB for mine
Cost was about £250 as well - IMHO that will have poor suspension and be very heavy - also who wants to MTB with rim brakes?
There are no deals about either when I looked
That muddy fox is a BSO - avoid!
A second hand Carrera blast is a good option.
Like this http://www.ebay.co.uk/ulk/itm/161846880507
Edit: sorry, just seen the requirement to be brand new
Think I agree with you both. May have to consider 2nd hand. There's a few on eBay tbat look good. Can always up grade bits as he gets into it if we start with at least a decent frame.
My lad is very happy on a GT chucker 24 which was 160 on closeout it's quite heavy, poor forks and v brakes but he loves it and it doesn't slow him down, for now.
I'd look at Saracen, Dawes, Ridgeback etc etc they are all much of a muchness but it doesn't matter kids have fun on whatever you buy, if he gets into it get him something decent in a year or three.
I think what you need to look at is resale value...( if your buying new) most bikes struggle to sell for more than £30 2nd hand....and for some reason everyone thinks ( non bike people) specialized are the best
So a2nd hand hotrocks 24 you'll be looking at getting about £120 when you come to sell it
My boy is 9 and has been riding a 26" wheeled 14" Kona Kula for a while now no probs whatsoever. We've done most of the trails at Afan too!
I've always bought our nephew Specialized bikes, starting with a little 12" wheeled Hotrock and working upwards. Just about to turn 10, he's currently on a 2013 Hotrock 20, it's very well made and reasonably light. Could be worth looking for a used one if the budget is tight?
I've gone different routes at different times.
Jnr has always had second hand - at that age he was on a second hand Hotrock 24". Bought off here for £100, sold a couple of years later for £75. It was perfectly good enough for him.
His sister has just got a 24" wheeled Frog, £260 new - kind of an impulse buy by MrsMC. Should fit her for another year or two. Reckon we'll get at least £150 when we sell it on, potentially more as they don't come round too often, depending how much cosmetic damage it gets.
But at 9, depending on his height, you might be better getting something cheap second hand in 24" wheels, then keeping an eye out for a 26", as they can shoot up at that age!
started off with a carerra blast, modded it and then bought him a transition ripcord. I'm probably going to build up his carerra frame for a runbout bike.
I have a DMR Sidekick that I built for my son. He's now way to big for it. The frame is 13 or 14", it's on 26" wheels. I can't remember what every component is, but happy to supply the full spec and pics if you have any interest. I would probably only want around £120 for it and would be happy to allow a test in the woods 5 mins from my house. I am based in North Kent.