Kids bike comparison...thoughts?

[Shebeen]

14 hours ago, ChrisF said:

 

The junk now sold with a Raleigh sticker bears NO resemblance to what we knew back then as the real thing.

 

Steer well clear !!

not entirely correct.

Raleigh always had a hypermarket range. Even when Lange was winning everything on the road and KevEv off it on their very fancy DA/XTR bikes you could buy the same brand for R250 from Game from different people. I'm sure some people thought they were getting something good, but it's the same ballpark as a Dunlop badged bike

When probike lost the Raleigh premium licence and moved to Scott, the budget stuff remained the same (pos).

[figjam_sa]

Hi guys

We are also in the process of getting a new bike for our eldest. She turns 9 next month and is about 130-133cm tall.  So a 24" should be the correct size. I really wish we could just go straight to 26" but it is what it is hey.  I think it will be too big for her for a year or 2. She is small, but fast and athletic - sports and dancing. 

So I've been checking at various models. It will be quite sometime before she rides anything technical like a proper trail as we don't have trails closeby. I think a bike with v-brakes and rigid fork should be sufficient, but that's why I'm asking... Keep in mind it's a girl so the colour DOES matter!

This will be her first bike with gears.

Marvel Livi has hydraulic disc brakes and air fork. It is just heavy - https://www.cyclelab.com/product/1016389-bike-jnr-girls-marvel-livi-disc

 

There's a Marvel Livi with v-brakes and rigid fork as well, but its blue (cheapest) - https://www.cyclelab.com/product/1016400-bike-jnr-girls-marvel-livi-v-brake

 

Titan Calypso Lite. Rigid fork, v-brakes https://www.cyclelab.com/product/1016458-bike-jnr-girls-titan-calypso-lite

 

Titan Calypso. https://www.cyclelab.com/product/1021017-24-inch-titan-calypso-v-2021

Mech Fork, v-brakes

 

Scott Contessa. https://www.cyclelab.com/product/1016434-bike-jnr-girls-scott-contessa-v 

V-brakes and Mech fork - Best looking and the right colour. Not on sale anymore. Most expensive one on the list, but it was on sale recently and in line with the others on the list.  I know there is a Scott Roxter with Rigid fork and mech disc brakes as well, but it wasn't in stock when I was at Cycle Lab. 

Price class here was R4k-R6k (when the Scott was on sale)

We will try and get a proper thumb shift instead of the grip shifters. 

I don't mind getting the Marvel Livi as I'm familiar with disc brakes so it will be easier for me. That being said, she's had a Avalanche 20" single speed now for 3 years with cheap v-brakes and it has been very good to us so far. 

Am I overthinking this? Should she just choose the one which looks the best?

Maybe I answered my own questions, maybe not. But thanks for helping anyway!! 

 

 

[ChrisF]

Might be worth your while to test fit a TITAN 24-9er.

 

24'' frame, nice and low

 

26'' tyres

 

I do believe the reach to the bars may just be to far though ....  still worth checking out.  If you pop down to Bellville give me a shout and she can test ride Maritz's bike.

[LucaR]

Both my kids have the Riprock with the 24x2.8 tires . I let some air out when they are on the trails and with their weight its almost as good as full suspension.

[Flemish Lion]

We got the Rockhopper Expert 27.5... my kids was 9.5 when we got it and he loves it... 1 x 12 makes their lives SO much easier and if they do races one cannot compete on a 24/26 inch. Then there is no need to buy a bigger bike in 1 years time!

Best to see if it fits though as my kid is pretty short, like his dad, so I was surprised it fitted him so well.

[ajnkzn]

I haven’t had a chance to trawl the whole thread but Early Rider look like beautiful kids bikes - at a price of course.