Kids bikes and progressing as they grow

[s14phoenix]

Hi everyone,

My mission lately has shifted to my son and his riding and love of riding mtb XC. He is now competingin the schools series here in Gauteng and has started shaping really well. Currently I have him on a 27.5 hardtail that has really progressed his riding and his skills has grown so much. Now I always like having the next bike upgrade either waiting or as a work in progress. Which is where I am now... I need to get the next upgrade or at least as a start have a build in my head... The issue is I am torn between an XC lightweight hardtail in 29" or a dual suspension ligthweight in 29" and I am unsure if building a dual is the way to go while we are getting a new frame or just keep the weight absolute minimum and build a hardtail... As it sits there is not much between the 2 on cost. 

Any advise??? 

[Lynskey]

27 minutes ago, s14phoenix said:

Hi everyone,

My mission lately has shifted to my son and his riding and love of riding mtb XC. He is now competingin the schools series here in Gauteng and has started shaping really well. Currently I have him on a 27.5 hardtail that has really progressed his riding and his skills has grown so much. Now I always like having the next bike upgrade either waiting or as a work in progress. Which is where I am now... I need to get the next upgrade or at least as a start have a build in my head... The issue is I am torn between an XC lightweight hardtail in 29" or a dual suspension ligthweight in 29" and I am unsure if building a dual is the way to go while we are getting a new frame or just keep the weight absolute minimum and build a hardtail... As it sits there is not much between the 2 on cost. 

Any advise??? 

If he is under 50kgs a hardtail. Over 50 and start thinking about dual. My 2 cents for what its worth.

[ChrisF]

10 hours ago, s14phoenix said:

Hi everyone,

My mission lately has shifted to my son and his riding and love of riding mtb XC. He is now competingin the schools series here in Gauteng and has started shaping really well. Currently I have him on a 27.5 hardtail that has really progressed his riding and his skills has grown so much. Now I always like having the next bike upgrade either waiting or as a work in progress. Which is where I am now... I need to get the next upgrade or at least as a start have a build in my head... The issue is I am torn between an XC lightweight hardtail in 29" or a dual suspension ligthweight in 29" and I am unsure if building a dual is the way to go while we are getting a new frame or just keep the weight absolute minimum and build a hardtail... As it sits there is not much between the 2 on cost. 

Any advise??? 

 

Many adults are doing some hectic trails on hard tail bikes.

 

@Me rida my bicycle

 

Also consider the increase in running costs.

 

Traditionally the schools series did not ride trails that needed a full suss.

[Me rida my bicycle]

36 minutes ago, ChrisF said:

 

Many adults are doing some hectic trails on hard tail bikes.

 

@Me rida my bicycle

 

Also consider the increase in running costs.

 

Traditionally the schools series did not ride trails that needed a full suss.

Have a look at Hardtail Owners on Facebook, guys competing and doing great in even downhill. 

With my limited skills I have not encountered a trail I could not ride on my HT. 

[Me rida my bicycle]

I will ad tyres on your HT makes a big difference. I have 3 sets 

1 for everyday 

Gravel set (I still need to return to @ChrisF😁) I used for CTCT

And my "fun" set for places like Jonkershoek. 

[Iwan Kemp]

Hardtail all the way. 

[Me rida my bicycle]

Sorry only saw Chris reply didn't read the storie, was out on the trails.

I know of a girl who is doing really good, podium most races. Started on a nice HT upgraded to a sweet dual xc race machine. She's back on the HT and doing better.

Plus HT forces you to learn the correct techniques which will make him a better rider in future. 

Never mind the fortune you will save in keeping a dual going.