Kids Bikes: Momsen JSL40 vs Giant XTC SL Jr24

[greatwhite]

Hi All,

 

I was wondering what experience people have had with these to bikes:

1. Has anyone looked at them side by side as part of a purchasing decision.

2. People that have bought one for their kids, what are the pros and cons of that bike - what hassles have you had etc.

3. Any other bikes in similar category worth looking at (decent gear spread for MTB and a proper fork up front)

4. What upgrades has you done that have been worthwil on these of similar bikes

 

Thanks in advance for you input

[ians H2Sport]

Did the research some time back, included both bikes you mentioned and the Scott. Scott and Momsen higher spec. I went for the Momsen over the Scott due to price, look and availability. What I found great is the tubeless ready rims and folding tyres - great for easy tubeless conversion. Only collecting the bike tomorrow so no upgrades yet, but already considering 1x10 as kids just don't seem to use the 3x. Might have to change the rear hub, will look into it later. If you are KZN based talk to Andrew from Cycle Logic. Great service & price

[greatwhite]

Did the research some time back, included both bikes you mentioned and the Scott. Scott and Momsen higher spec. I went for the Momsen over the Scott due to price, look and availability. What I found great is the tubeless ready rims and folding tyres - great for easy tubeless conversion. Only collecting the bike tomorrow so no upgrades yet, but already considering 1x10 as kids just don't seem to use the 3x. Might have to change the rear hub, will look into it later. If you are KZN based talk to Andrew from Cycle Logic. Great service & price

 

I wasn't even aware of a higher RC spec 24" bike from Scott until now. Just looked at the web page for the 2016 versions - they have taken the air fork away and made it rigid and fitted a 1x10. Certainly the reduction in weight will help the little ones. The 2015 version looks like a really nice bike though - much higher spec than the Momsen or Giant, but also with the greater price as you say - beyond where I want to go unless I get a clearance deal. Apart from the tubeless ready tyres an the Momsen and the paint, what were the better spec items vs the Giant - best I can tell, the fork and groupset are the same?

 

My kid currently has a 1x10 setup on a little 20" Scott Spark Jr. Had to get rid of the RevoShift 2x6 stuff on there - once it gets a little gummed up it becomes very difficult for a 6 or 7 year old to twist (also daddy had some spares about the facilitated the process). also matching up 2x6 was confusing for Jr. I was worried the gear lever would be too big and/or too hard to use for a kid, bit is works fine (Shimano Zee). Better gear range, smoother operation and I suspsect better longevity. I would probabaly transfer this to the 24" bike along with a few other bits I added to the 20".

[ians H2Sport]

The biggest thing for me, oddly maybe, was the bearings. cartridge vs semi cartridge BB, wheel bearings cartridge vs ball bearings. The tubeless ready rims & tyres was major too. Also the feel of the bikes, Momsen feels and looks better quality, also feels lighter - although I did not weigh them.

[greatwhite]

The biggest thing for me, oddly maybe, was the bearings. cartridge vs semi cartridge BB, wheel bearings cartridge vs ball bearings. The tubeless ready rims & tyres was major too. Also the feel of the bikes, Momsen feels and looks better quality, also feels lighter - although I did not weigh them.

The Momsen could well be lighter - bars, stems, seat posts etc on the kids bikes are highly variable: On the little 20" scott I mentioned above, the OE bar was 400g! (for a Ø22.2 x 560mm bar). I got a 120g bar on the hub for R80 - bye bye 1/4kg. Did the same with a few other bits. Overall I shelled over a kg from the bike. For a little kid that only weighs 25kg, thats a lot. I've been told the OE wheels on the more basic Giant adults bikes are really heavy - if that applies to the XTC SL Jr as well, than that could also factor in. As for the bearings, valid argument, but assuming both have decent sealing, a child has to do massive KM to hammer either becuase they are light - is the sealing arrangment inferior on the Giant?

[ians H2Sport]

The Momsen could well be lighter - bars, stems, seat posts etc on the kids bikes are highly variable: On the little 20" scott I mentioned above, the OE bar was 400g! (for a Ø22.2 x 560mm bar). I got a 120g bar on the hub for R80 - bye bye 1/4kg. Did the same with a few other bits. Overall I shelled over a kg from the bike. For a little kid that only weighs 25kg, thats a lot. I've been told the OE wheels on the more basic Giant adults bikes are really heavy - if that applies to the XTC SL Jr as well, than that could also factor in. As for the bearings, valid argument, but assuming both have decent sealing, a child has to do massive KM to hammer either becuase they are light - is the sealing arrangment inferior on the Giant?

No, I don't know that for sure. But from a maintenance point of view, cartridge bearings are way better. At 25kg my daughter moved to a 26" wheeled bike. Been on it for a year, with much expense I reduced the weight from over 12kg down to 10.18. It is still 37% of her body weight, that's like me riding a 28kg bike - it just wouldn't happen!!

My son 24kg, 7ys old, will be gong onto the JSL40 this weekend, will let you know what changes and weight reduction I do.

[greatwhite]

Agreed - that is the problem with kids bikes generally - trying to apply adult grade equipment to a kid that has 1/3 of the weight and strength - totally overkill, then the poor little kid has to haul the anchor up the hills. It was a misake I made with the little 20" spark - I should have gone hard tail to keep the weight down, but I made a snap decision with my heart (it was on special and I just though it was so cool), but even with the weight reduction excericse I have done, it still weighs more than my 29r.

 

Your daughter moved onto a 26" at 25kg - is she quite tall and lean? I'm looking at 24" now for mine and this more planning ahead, because I expect prices to go up a lot in the next few months - the 20" fits her nicely at the moment.

 

BTW - "Life is too short to ride **** bikes" - Agreed!

[greatwhite]

Been in contact with the Scott importers - they don't import the Scale RC Jr 24 2015 or 2016 model at least. So that is not an option.

 

Keen to hear how it goes with the Momsen.

[greatwhite]

How is it going with the Momsen now that we are a few months on?

[moe_7]

Any update on the Momsen?

 

Will also be in the market for a bike for my daughter soon. She currently has a Momsen JSL20, and looking at the JSL40 next.

 

Not many 24" bikes around 10kg available locally at sub R10k. The Momsen JSL40 tips the scale at just over 11kg. Most of the others brands seem to around 12kg+, except for Frog, which I'm also contemplating (but that does not have front suspension).

 

[greatwhite]

I've just pulled the trigger on a Momsen. Is my kids birthday in a few weeks. When I have built it up in the next week or two, I'll give you some extra feedback.