Best place to get a mtb for my growing 6 year old son

philstanbridge

philstanbridge

philstanbridge

Man of Honour
Joined
18 Oct 2002
Posts
8,517
Location
West Coast of Scotland
I've promised a new bike to my son. But in reality I don't really know how best to do this. There are so many online shops. I need to get him measured ideally. Is it just a matter of taking his inside leg and then making sure his new bike has adjustable seat/handle bars or what? Where would you recommend getting one from? Is it best to see one in person, or risking one online? What about helmets etc? We don't want to spend a fortune either. So any advice would be welcome.
 
They are usually grouped by age but that doesn't always work if they are tall for their age.

There are charts out there for inside leg measurements but you can't beat going to a local shop and sitting him on a few.

We sell loads of the Orbea Mx 20 range and they are quite small made so younger kids are fitting them earlier than they would say a Raleigh as the Raleigh may have a slightly bigger frame size even though the wheels are the same size.

Depends on budget too as the Orbea models were £239+ and even slightly 'cheaper' brands close to or just over £200 that gap isn't that much.

I'd avoid a Tesco or Argos bike as they are heavy, gears an adult can't shift and they would put him off cycling altogether.

Possibly look second hand? Brands like Frog and Isla bikes seem to sell second hand for near RRP and can be sold on again for what you paid once he's bigger.

Depends where on the west coast you are but there are a few shops down Ayrshire way and even up in Oban.
 
Thanks to both of you. I'm in Troon. There was a shop here until very recently and apparently it has shut down. The competition must be insane. There is a reputable bike shop in Prestwick, and this is where i was thinking of taking him. But as my wife pointed out, they are probably more expensive than most other 'generic' bike sellers. I would rather he go see a specialist personally but we haven't got a huge budget, and at the end of the day money talks.
 
Apollo if you just want an affordable kids bike, for a 6 year old I'd go for a Apollo.

Carrera or Voodoo if you've got money to spend. The new Voodoo's are ace bikes, but you could buy two or three Apollo's for that- and considering they'll use it, or trash it by dropping it- I'd get the cheaper bike

http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/kids-bikes/voodoo-sobo-mountain-bike-20


This one is well smart, hydraulic brakes, thumb shifter, and lock out suspension. For older kids but it's specced like decent adults MTB

http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/kids-bikes/voodoo-nzumbi-mountain-bike-26
 
Phil - go to Sprockets in Kilmarnock - excellent shop, decent bunch of staff.

They sell Frog bikes which are superb. Both my kids got them from santa, yes, expensive but the quality and weight of them are great and the resale value is excellent down the line (like 75-80%).
 
Maccapacca said:
The frog bikes are very good and mostly custom sized for kids. The cheap halfords stuff are generally smaller framed adult bikes which makes them heavy.

We bought my daughter http://www.trekbikes.com/gb/en_GB/kids-mountain-bikes/superfly-20/p/1575000-2017/ last year and she loves it.
Click to expand...

This is twice as heavy as the Trek. Thus your child is 2x weaker than the kids that ride this

http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/kids-bikes/apollo-xpander-kids-mountain-bike-20

:D
 
Got a 20" Carrera for my very tall lad last year for his 6th birthday. After trying them in-store, I went on ebay and got a nearly-new-condition one for £50. Had to drive ~50 miles to get it as choice was limited with his birthday being in February (not many selling on the bay at that time of year), but was a nice saving on new price and is a decent bike.

Would avoid Halfords' cheaper Apollo range - his previous bike we bought one new and it was crap.
 
Yeh the carreras are decent enough starter bikes, reasonable kit on them.
The voodoo are better if you can afford.
Agreed it's not worth spending less on the Apollos.
 
Last edited:
Also that full susser Apollo you linked to, I wouldn't even class as a proper bike, it will weigh a ton.
Actually it does, 16kg, V brakes, and they dont eveen dare say what make the suspension it..
..it might look cool being a full susser, but it's garbage.

General guide, if you're not spending more than £800, don't even consider a full susser.
 
It's for a kid, who cares, they'll use it for 2 years max. Best to get cheap bikes <10 years old.


Because you see the bikes as an adult, you'd buy a Voodoo/Carrera over a Apollo (obviously) But for kids the price is 2x as much. I wouldn't justify £300 on a Voodoo 20".

I've just bought a Voodoo Bizango. But that's me, not for kids who'll drop and wreck it first ride out.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom