7 yr old son bike: 6-sp + suspension vs SS w/o suspension?

[mtbdudex]

This Q came out of me posting in the classified area, http://mmba.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=104571

My 7 year old has outgrown his 16" bike, and yesterday evening I had him sit on the specialized hotrock 20 in Brighton lbs, with the seat lowered he can sit on it half tip-toed, so definitely he will grow into this bike size for a few years.
I'm shopping fisher precaliber 20 vs the specialized hotrock 20, both similar price point $300-ish new MSRP.

http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bc/SBCProduct.jsp?spid=52922&scid=1005&scname=Kids
vs
http://fisherbikes.com/bike/model/precaliber-20

In that thread the issue of overall bike weight came up, hence this thread and it's Q:
Q: 6-sp + suspension vs SS w/o suspension?
ss is lighter obviously, and no rr derailleur means more robust......
I grew up as a kid w/o rr derailleur (or front shock for the record) and rode "trails", ie dirt paths back in the 70's along Red Run river 14 mile/dequinder all the way to 15 mile/maple lane area....
Yet, having a rr derailleur can mean more rideability trails for him, and both of us riding ILRA together..

So, I'm sure there are parents/aunts/uncles/etc of other 6-7-8 year olds who have debated same as me, please share your thoughts, experiences on 6-sp + suspension vs SS w/o suspension for 20" size bike.

[deuxdiesel]

It looks to me like both bikes have front suspension, so maybe I missed something? I went through the same thing with my daughter- we went through 4 bikes in 5 years (16, 20, 24, 26), so I feel your pain. Let him pick the one he likes the looks of best, because they are pretty similar and he will only be on it for a few years. You can easily convert either one to a SS with one of the dozens of tensioners out there and let him get used to a new bike without the gears, and then add back the gears once he's comfortable on the bike.

[sawdustysneeze]

Both my boys started riding on 2 wheels during there 4th year. They obviously rode SS for a while. Even on trails. I think both ended up with a 21 speed bike around 6, but it was fully rigid. The only time I wished it had suspension is when we rode at Keystone a few years back and my little ones arms were so tired from the beating of downhill riding by the end. He says he would like at least a hardtail for his next bike and I will happily get it for him. He is 9 now. My 12 year old has been riding a 26" hardtail for several years. It is the smallest frame available. He has loved that bike. It did not take too long for the boys to get the concept of shifting gears. Only a few rides and they were shifting OK. They still make mistakes and shift at the wrong time or don't shift at all and pay the price. (so do I for that matter especially in the spring) When we go out for a ride and a friend comes along, I am always glad they learned how to use their gears early. It is always a good reminder that I have two good cyclists. So I would vote gears. Suspension and weight are not much of a concern, and when all else fails, differ to what the kid wants so they just get out and ride with you! Have fun!

[993rs]

I am a big believer in kids running rigid so they learn how to handle a bike and pick lines. All three of my boys ran rigid until they were +10. My youngest can get over almost anything with his 20" 6 speed Trek. I just put him on a 24"er with a suspension fork this spring, he will turn 11 this Nov.

[Roy]

Ask your self 1 question?
How much time do I want to spend making repairs?
Better yet, let him pick out his own bike.

Roy

[pongomoto]

My son started riding with gears the summer of his 7th year. Moved him up from 18" to 24" wheels because he is so tall. He skipped the 20" wheels because we couldn't find a frame that fit him well. We kept it easy on him tho since it's his first bike with gears, front suspension and a free wheel. Easy as in he only has 7 gears to choose from in the back and a single ring in the front with a chain guide. Keeps the weight down and makes it less confusing for him. Plus both my trail bikes are 1x9's and he wants to be like dad.

The bigger wheels and front suspension help with trail chatter so he can ride with more confidence on the trail. He only weighs 55 pounds, skinny for being 54" tall, so I can keep the air pressure down in the tires to act as a little cushion for him as well.

I agree with the other poster that letting your son pick out a bike is a good idea but I remember as a kid how surprised and happy I was as a kid when my parents surprised me with a new bike...and also how excited my son is when I come home and surprise him with his next bike.

Good luck and remember, for them it's all about spending time with dad that's most important to them.

[FrankenFuel95]

Go geared. It really makes a lot more trail ridable.

[Jeffreykdc]

My 7 year old is on a mini bmx race bike. It's fast and light. IMO suspension and gears are just anchors at that age. It's all about weight.

I had to play with the gearing but now he really rocks the trails. His bike is 15 lbs.

[utabintarbo]

... He only weighs 55 pounds, skinny for being 54" tall, ....

Get that boy a sammich!!

I understand saving up for new bikes, but you should take the money out of the children's food account! THINK OF THE CHILDREN!

[mtbdudex]

Hey - I appreciate your thoughts everyone!

1) I agree, if he likes it he'll ride it.
Luke was riding 2 wheeler w/o training wheels 2 weeks before his 4th bday, and you are right it's all about "being with dad".

2) Durability / lightweight of SS & ridgid fork vs 6-sp/movable frt fork.

His 16" SS ridgid frt fork is generic store model now, a tank, seemed to me the 20" Specialized we tried out was just as light if not lighter with more features.
So, it boils down to robustness of having a kid use 6-sp rr derauiler.....

3) He really like the color scheme of the Red Specialized we saw in Brighton, the Red frame definitely was cool


however the Gary Fischer I can image would also be totally ok to him


I need to take him to 14/haggerty cycle/fitness and have him try the Gary Fischer's there, check its standover fit to Lukes inseam height....then make a decision. Yes, I can comapre online but seeing is knowing truly.

I'm more and more leaning towards the 6-sp w/front shock.......

future side note:
I'll definitley help with Mountain Kids in 2-3 years.....my boys 7 and 5 I feel still "young" for organized ride events....IMO

[nailgunn]

IMO

I am sure there all kinds of opinions on geared and SS, since you are going to the extent to include your boy in the buying process that is great.
Being a kid at my age of 40+ it still boils down to this "My ride looks good and I think I look good riding it." along with you let him pick his ride he will be proud of it.
If he is proud of his equipment he will be more inclined to take care of it.
Even at his age materials things are kewl. Heck he is a boy.
Learing geared or how to handle a SS will have little bearing I think.

I think your direction is the best way to go.

[pongomoto]

... He only weighs 55 pounds, skinny for being 54" tall, ....

Get that boy a sammich!!

I understand saving up for new bikes, but you should take the money out of the children's food account! THINK OF THE CHILDREN!

LOL!!! Sorry, Meant to say 45" tall. If my kid weighed 55 pounds and was that tall I'd be typing this from a jail cell.

[KitC]

One more opinion: Two weekends ago, my 6-year old son was riding in the kid's event at race in northern Wisconsin. He was younger than everyone else (by far) and the only one with a singlespeed bike (though it does have a front suspension fork). Between being younger and not having gears to select from, he was immensely frustrated the whole time. The course was a mixture of rail grade, two track and pavement with a few hills thrown in. He would spin out on the downhills but lacked the strength to get up the other side.

A year makes a big, big difference at that age in terms of weight and strength, I know. But I think it wouldn't take a kid long to understand riding with gears (and until he gets it, just leave in it a nice moderate gear) and it will make riding fun. If you want your kid to be a cyclist to any degree, they have to have fun. Part of it is the look of the bike (like others have mentioned), but part is making the ride accessible. My vote (as much as it counts) is for gears. The front shock? Only really necessary if he wants a bike that looks like Dad's.

[jalopy jockey]

My son loves his gears and suspension. I think the gears help a lot much less hike a bike = less frustration. He doesn't mind hoofing it up some hills but too many and he gets frustrated. It took him a week or two to get the idea of shifting and about a month or two to get proficient on picking the right gear. FWIW he was 6 when he got the bike. There is no way he'd make half the climbs that he does at Addison or Bloomer if he couln't shift down and if i geared his SS that easy he can pretty much spin out on the flats with his 6 speed.

No opinion on teh susension other than he loves his bouncy thingy.

[mtbdudex]

Took Luke to the Brighton LBS I-96 and Grand River last evening, he rode in the parking lot/grass, and I ordered the RED specialized hotrock 20" Red /6-sp and frt shock.
It will come in Saturday, Luke is excited!
Negotiated a decent price, also got him gloves to protect the hands.

The 14 mile/haggerty LBS did not have 20" model in RED, which was a deal breaker.
thx for input everyone.

btw, I bought my 1st MTB there (14/haggerty LBS) back in 1996, a Gary Fischer JoshuaZ, here it is being sold in 2002.
Mike Reuter is a good guy.