Daughter needs a new bike

[thehoof]

My 10yo daughter currently has a 24" bike, but I realised on Saturday that it's starting to look like a bmx on her... So now I'm looking... (for a Christmas present)

 

My budget is about 10k for her, but being young still, I don't fancy buying a XS frame, and then 2 years later having to go to a M... She's not fanatical about her riding, but enjoys the odd day out... so top spec isn't a requirement.

 

So now I'm looking for advice on what's the best way to go...

 

Her mom has and older Fuji small frame mtb... but it's old... like 2003... which could work as a stop gap, and then I buy a medium frame... cos I recon she's going to be tall'ish (I'm 1.95m)

 

Or should I suck it up get her a properly sized bike?

 

 

And then.... What do I look for? Should I try for a ladies specific geometry bike?

[Allrounder]

Let she use her moms bike for a while and she if she is still interested in 6 months time..

 

10 k is a lot to spend on a bike that will be used for a year. The growth spur will start soon....

[ians H2Sport]

if the bike is too big and too heavy, she will most likely struggle on any route that isn't flat. If she struggles too much, chances are she will not want to ride much. I say invest in a bike that she will grow in to in the short term (6 months or so) and go as light as possible. I would look for a used race bike. Check out your local Spur Schools MTB league, tons of kids riding all sorts of bikes, many go up for sale towards the end of the season as parents upgrade. I would not go ladies specific geometry as I do not believe it makes much difference with kids, also will be more difficult to offload once she is done with it. 

[Me rida my bicycle]

It doesn't need to top of the range but cumfortable fit and working perfectly is important let her take mom's bike for a ride and ask her if she enjoyed it.

[MphatiPyga]

I got my daughter a Momsen JR at about the same age, 26”wheels with smaller frame, like a 29er for kids. She loves it

[the nerd]

We did this previously for a friends Son:

 

Small 26" hardtail frame

26" DT Swiss fork (Really lightweight)

Full 10 spd XT

SLX Brakes

Some (Too narrow for adults) Ritchey Carbon bars, etc

 

Easton XC1 26" wheels

 

 

Bike came in at about 7 and bit KG's.

 

Kid is hammering the bike and doing really well, easy enough to move to a medium frame in a year or two.

 

all in all about R6k (groupset was almost new and brakes were new)

[thehoof]

Let she use her moms bike for a while and she if she is still interested in 6 months time..

 

10 k is a lot to spend on a bike that will be used for a year. The growth spur will start soon....

 

This is our first thoughts... But the weight of the bike is a concern... it's flippin heavy...

[thehoof]

Thanks folks... 

 

Going to keep an eye on the classifieds and see what crops up... if I can get an XS or S framed bike at a bargain price, I'll go that route...

[The Ouzo]

if the bike is too big and too heavy, she will most likely struggle on any route that isn't flat. If she struggles too much, chances are she will not want to ride much. I say invest in a bike that she will grow in to in the short term (6 months or so) and go as light as possible. I would look for a used race bike. Check out your local Spur Schools MTB league, tons of kids riding all sorts of bikes, many go up for sale towards the end of the season as parents upgrade. I would not go ladies specific geometry as I do not believe it makes much difference with kids, also will be more difficult to offload once she is done with it. 

Whilst I understand the logic behind this, and if you have the means by all means its probably better, but when we grew up you rode whatever bike you got and you rode the crap out of it until your parents could get you something else or you saved up enough pocket money to buy something else yourself.

We are definitely raising spoiled children these days (and yes I am guilty of it too)

[Eugene]

She's 10....and is not as fanatical about her riding.

 

She doesn't need a R10k bike. Get her an XS Avalanche, Axis or something similar for half that amount. Put the balance in an investment account towards her studies.

 

Make sure it's a colour that she likes, that's all a 10 year old cares about.

[Warthog]

PM sent.

[ChrisF]

Whilst I understand the logic behind this, and if you have the means by all means its probably better, but when we grew up you rode whatever bike you got and you rode the crap out of it until your parents could get you something else or you saved up enough pocket money to buy something else yourself.

We are definitely raising spoiled children these days (and yes I am guilty of it too)

 

Maritz took all of 13 months to grow out of his 20'' bike ..... ALL the thoughts of the post above went through my mind ......

 

 

HOWEVER, Maritz was taught from day one - we play hard, then we go take care of our bikes !  After 13 months and a good many rides and trails his bike was in MINT condition.

We bought a 24'' that fits him properly - knowing he will most probably outgrow it in 18 months....

 

 

BUT, leading up to the purchase he was given chores, and as a 7 year old he was taught to save for his next bike .... he was taught the value of selling the second hand bike.  He had to hand over "some cash" to the saleslady at Geko cycles.

 

 

So all told, by selling his good used bike the new bike cost us less than R200 per month, if I was to apply a cost of ownership formula.  He has a bike that FITS him properly.  And absolutely most importantly, at 7 years old he was taught to work and save for what he wants 

 

 

I am happy to repeat this in 2019\2020 ....  but then again, he takes care of his bikes, and he USES it.