Choosing a bike for my son

[nappa]

Really need some advice, my son want to start coming to play in the trails but I have not a clue what bike to get him.

He is turning 11 in a few weeks and is 150cm tall, want to get him a full suspension bike, but have no clue what bike to get him.

Any advice would be awesome

thanks Paul

 

[R120]

How much do you want to spend - theres some crazy kids bikes out there that out there, you can blow 2k on a commencal for example

KIDS - Shop

 

[nappa]

How much do you want to spend - theres some crazy kids bikes out there that out there, you can blow 2k on a commencal for example

KIDS - Shop

depends how long it will last him I guess a grand to 2k is ok if he can get a year out of it

 

[steve_sordy]

My grandson is 11 and he's still riding an XS hardtail. He's not tall enough yet, but if I was about to get him a FS, I'd get him the Boardman Pro.
Boardman Mountain Bike Pro Full Suspension 27.5" - 16", 18", 19", 20" Frames

Join CTC and you'll get 10-15% off too (can't remember the exact %) You will save more than your membership costs you.

I know several guys with these bikes and they all rate them. I have swapped bikes with one of them and I was impressed with the bike. Good looking and great for the money, no doubt. Read the reviews. Just check the bike over after picking it up from Halfords, those guys are not renowned for their attention to detail.

 

[jonathan horticulturist]

Join CTC and you'll get 10-15% off too (can't remember the exact %) You will save more than your membership costs you.

CTC??

 

[nappa]

My grandson is 11 and he's still riding an XS hardtail. He's not tall enough yet, but if I was about to get him a FS, I'd get him the Boardman Pro.
Boardman Mountain Bike Pro Full Suspension 27.5" - 16", 18", 19", 20" Frames

Join CTC and you'll get 10-15% off too (can't remember the exact %) You will save more than your membership costs you.

I know several guys with these bikes and they all rate them. I have swapped bikes with one of them and I was impressed with the bike. Good looking and great for the money, no doubt. Read the reviews. Just check the bike over after picking it up from Halfords, those guys are not renowned for their attention to detail.

Looking at the sizing recommendations I think a 16" will be to big for him

 

[jonathan horticulturist]

Just googled CTC. Well I don’t do much shopping from Hellfrauds anymore, so not worth it for me.

 

[steve_sordy]

Cycling UK | The Cyclists' Champion[/URL]

 

[Doomanic]

https://www.flowkidsbikes.com/full-suspension

 

[bikerider007]

dare i say second hand as he is growing and probably quickly at that no point spending 2k then this time next year spending more... thats if he gets on with mountain biking or try him out at a forest park hire some bikes to see if he's going to get into it...

 

[steve_sordy]

All my grandson could think or talk about from the age of 18 months was bikes. Then at the age of 11 he suddenly discovered he was really very good at Rugby ! I've lost those weekends to Rugby now and I only get to ride with him during school holidays, or when there's no Rugby.

I don't blame him, his whole life has been mtb and he is very good at it's part of his wallpaper, just background. He needs a new challenge, as I sure can no longer make him a better rider, I don't have the skills!

Suddenly my plans for his next bike have been put on hold. After all, the bike he has still fits him. And of course at 11, he will be going through puberty soon and if he is anything like the rest of his family, he will put on 6" in less than a year and any bike he has will be way too small.

 

[galaga187]

Assuming you are in the uk these Triple B Mountain Bike are great bikes. Tried them with my son and his mates at the NEC cycle Show they are 12 and 5” 3.

 

[Norange]

Get used, some good bargains on a well specced 26 on eBay, especially in small and xs. Spend the rest of the cash on an mtb holiday with him

 

[Indigo]

Do you mean like this:

Norco Website: Norco Fluid FS 4
Youtube Videos: 11-Year-Old Jackson Goldstone

 

[nappa]

Thanks guys lots of good info in here and has helped alot...

Big thanks

 

[Swissrob]

My boys have been doing downhill since they were 5, no champions but we have fun. I would recommend hardtails for a number of reasons. First it teaches them technique, line choice and to ride light. Their brains learn faster so they will adapt to anything and they don't have fear at that age.

Critical things are the lightest bike weight possible and disc brakes as their hands are not that strong initially. Second is full face helmet and body armour, if they can crash with out getting hurt then they will keep trying, it also helps their mothers nerves! A 1x group set is a bonus.

I saw a Specialized Epic Sworks circa 2009 sell for 350 last week, 10kgish but he'll of a lot of bike in it's day.

 

[nappa]

I have put a bid on this, will get if fully check over to make sure its safe b4 letting my boy on it...

Commencal 24” Supreme Mini DH Bike Kids | eBay

 

[Geoff]

Really need some advice, my son want to start coming to play in the trails but I have not a clue what bike to get him.

He is turning 11 in a few weeks and is 150cm tall, want to get him a full suspension bike, but have no clue what bike to get him.

Any advice would be awesome

thanks Paul

As a 7 year old my son was riding a Kona Shred 24 Hardtail. At 10 and a half he progressed to a Small 2016 Specialised Camber Comp 650b initially with a fixed seat post and later, once he was tall enough for it to fit, a 100mm Command Post IRCC Dropper. It wasn't until he was 12 and a half and 165cm tall he started riding his mum's medium Specialized Rhyme Expert Carbon 650b. Now at 13 years old and 173cm tall he's on a Medium 2019 Levo FSR 29er with upgraded brakes (Guide RE) and X-Fusion 150mm dropper post.

Expensive bikes aside, one thing that has always been a consideration is having the ability to tune the suspension to his weight. Initially he was under 38kg fully kitted up. Which meant that in the case of his Camber the shock oil had to be replaced with a lighter weight oil which allowed the shock to operate almost normally and achieve an acceptable sag % without needing a lot of air pressure.

We made the choice to set him up on a dual suspension bike due to the type of terrain we ride. I didn't think it was fair to put him on a hardtail on terrain where I wouldn't consider riding anything but a dual suspension bike. I'm guessing that you are leaning toward full suspension rather than hardtail for the same reasons.

I'd recommend a small sized adult bike rather than a grom (kids) specific model. Whatever you decide to buy, be it new or second hand, make sure that it has a rear shock that can be serviced/modified to work properly with a very lightweight rider otherwise you may as well get a hardtail. Forks that can be tuned with tokens are also a plus as he can run lower pressures in the air spring for a more supple ride yet still ramp up on the bigger hits. 650b is a wheel size that works well. Hydraulic brakes with adjustable reach are a must for small hands.

 

[Kernow]

I have put a bid on this, will get if fully check over to make sure its safe b4 letting my boy on it...

Commencal 24” Supreme Mini DH Bike Kids | eBay

Are you sure he wants a downhill bike , great if that’s what’s he has got into , but it’s a very limited bike unless your taking him to downhill venues , it’s not much use for just riding and he’ll lose interest very quick if he has to pedal that very far or uphill . .
Just commenting because I couldn’t see anywhere you mentioned downhill

 

[nappa]

Are you sure he wants a downhill bike , great if that’s what’s he has got into , but it’s a very limited bike unless your taking him to downhill venues , it’s not much use for just riding and he’ll lose interest very quick if he has to pedal that very far or uphill . .
Just commenting because I couldn’t see anywhere you mentioned downhill

Its the only thing I can find that fits, and has full suspension mate, we will be riding at bedgbury so its got a few hills and flats and some downhill

 

[MattyB]

I agree with others here that full suss probably isn't required until his next size up, but there are definitely full suss options out there for juniors - here's one for a start:

...and Whyte have one coming in 2019 too...

 

[MattyB]

Alternative HT variants (a lot more affordable too)...

Frog:

Whyte:

Canyon:

Islabikes:

 

[bissona]

This is my 11yr old, yesterday, on my large JAM2.... it's everything I can do to keep him off it! Thank god for laws demanding he be 14yrs old before getting one...

His own bike is a Diamondback Lumis 2.0 which we picked up at less than half the RRP. It's not that light for a carbon bike but it's full of great components. Unbelievable value for money.

And yes, I know all about not spoiling them, but we both love mountainbikes!

 

[Norange]

Here are a few which could fit:
Norco Fluid
Whyte T120S
Cube Sting
Trek Lush

Granted, the last two are “women’s” bikes but they’re more likely to be suited to his height/weight. I still reckon a small or xs 26er is your best bet. May be biased, but if you could find a 14” orange 5 diva that would be ace.

 

[Kernow]

Its the only thing I can find that fits, and has full suspension mate, we will be riding at bedgbury so its got a few hills and flats and some downhill

In that case a downhill bike really isn’t what he wants . A general trail bike , probably hard tail is best ,
What’s your budget , that’s the place to start then see what’s about new or used

 

[MattyB]

...May be biased, but if you could find a 14” orange 5 diva that would be ace.

Don’t corrupt the boy with those hideous Orange welds, you’ll wreck the poor lad’s childhood...

 

[Gary]

Want this for him?

It's way higher spec than anything you'd get for £2k new.
it's an 14" aluminium 120mm travel Rose Jester frame with a full custom build
Rock shox monarch RC3 shock
20mm axle adjustable 100-140mm travel Rockshox Pike fork with adjustable compression/rebound and choic of spring weigh.
Tapered semi integrated sealed haedaset
30T NW ring
11-36 10 speed cassette
SAINT chainset
One Up components chain device
ZEE mech and shifter- less than 400 miles on the chain/cassette/ring/mech
almost NEW shimano M615 disc brakes.
Choice of dropper or standard posts
San Marco Ponza saddle
Renthal fatbars, Reverse components stem,
Choice of brand new lock on grips.
Choice of wheels (Sun ringle/Nukeproof/Mavic) 142x12 rear. 20x110 front axles
Choice of tyres
it's light but pretty much bombproof
All in VGC as not had a great deal of use and well looked after
Great for little bike for every thing from XC to jumping, enduro and light DH.

Message me for full spec/price if interested

 

[nappa]

I agree with others here that full suss probably isn't required until his next size up, but there are definitely full suss options out there for juniors - here's one for a start:

...and Whyte have one coming in 2019 too...

The top one is perfect

 

[Kernow]

Check out Vitus Nucleus in 24 and 26 wheel , amazing value and all the spec a kid could dream about

 

[Norange]

This is my daughter's for the next few years. Was built by someone at Hope for their nipper, so it has pro 2s, hope brakes etc? Forks are modified Pace to match 24" wheels. Currently standover is an issue at 1.35m, but in 6 months it'll be a perfect fit. £350, which I was chuffed with.