Some Help and Knowledge Please!!

[Izintaba]

Hi, We are looking for a good second hand Mtb for my 8 year old. He is riding very well and so want to get him a new bike that he can progress on for the next few years, but can't really spend more than R8000 maximum.

So looking at the GTAvalanche 1.0 advertised on this site, 2012 26" Rockshox Toro, Alexermis wheels and the reset Shimano Deore, at R5000

or

a 15" 26", naked alloy Trek? not sure of the year about 2010 with X9 grip shifters and deraulleirs, Rockshox reba, ZTR Olympic wheels and Ultimate breaks for R8000? Expensive for old bike, but good components? Might just be a bit old?

Any suggestions or insights really appreciated,

Thanks

[Letum911]

For that age I would go for the GT, they are solid frames thatbhe wont break. Keep in mind that he will be jumping it, doing wheelies etc. So I would go for the stronger frame and rather use the spare cash to upgrade the bike when the time comes

[PeterF]

Keep looking and you will get a very decent bike in that price range.  The geometry of the GT puts the rider in a very upright position, not good for handling.

 

Place a wanted add in the classifieds as well, someone might just have a bike laying around that thet haven't bothered selling yet.

[ians H2Sport]

Speak to Jason at Leighs Cycles in Durban. He had some small and X Small Scott Aspect 610's. Bought one for my 8yr old daughter who did the Spur Schools XC series on it this year. Great value. Price within your range

[Zeffer]

I'd rather get a 24" bike for a 8 year old. The bike would fit him much better and allow him to develop his bike handling skills rather than struggle to handle a bike that s too large for him. My son is moving to a XS 26" this Christmas... and he is 10 years old. On his 24 he is not as fast as the others in the Trailseeker 20kms but an animal in the XCO races where it counts!

 

Other thing is the twistgrips, much preffered for their level of strength. Many more years to learn trigger changes.

 

Another option: Saw at Cyclelab Centurion they have a Titan it was at the bike expo as well, its a 24" frame with 26" wheels, well specced, air shock and all, should also work, depend of course on your son's size/length. Think its around R6k

 

Glad to see you interested to get your son on a bike. It works for us, but need to keep it fun to keep them interested and growing, the racing part will come naturally with as his talents develop.

 

All the best!

[Eugene]

A 15inch frame is going to be too big for an 8 year old (unless you've already tried one out).

 

My daughter is tallish for her age and she only moved on to a 14inch 26er when she was 11. In fact, it is still a tad big for her and she is hitting 13.

[PeterF]

My youngest son just turned 12 and he rides a large scott scale. He is 1.8m tall.

[Izintaba]

Thank you all soooo much for your thoughts and insights on this, I really do appreciate it!!! We really need to make the right choice as he is showing such an interest that we need to keep going, Nikki

[Eugene]

My youngest son just turned 12 and he rides a large scott scale. He is 1.8m tall.

Good grief.............what do you feed him?

[Michael mostert]

Scott kiddies bikes are rad