Kids 20" mountain bike

[Plodder]

I've been looking at mountain bikes for my 7 yo (on the small side at 120cm). We've been on trails a couple of times on a basic single speed bike and he loved it. Estimating that he'll spend about 20% of his time on trails and 80% on roads/bike paths. I had my heart set on the Scott Scale Jr 20 Plus ($460) but can't get it anywhere. What I like about it is the fatter tires (20 x 2.6), rigid fork and disc brakes. It seems as though most other 20" mountain bikes have unnecessary and heavy suspension fork and no disc brakes. It looks like the best alternatives are the ByK E-450 MTB ($499 - no disc brakes and on the heavy side), Specialised Riprock ($560 - a bit more than I was wanting to pay) or Avanta Tracker ($375 - super fat 4" tires). I'm now wondering though whether I'm best to just buy the Fluid Mayhem 20" at the local Anaconda store for $250 and save my money to spend on something decent when we trade him up to a 24". Anyone who can offer some guidance?

[Mububban]

I've been looking at mountain bikes for my 7 yo (on the small side at 120cm). We've been on trails a couple of times on a basic single speed bike and he loved it. Estimating that he'll spend about 20% of his time on trails and 80% on roads/bike paths. I had my heart set on the Scott Scale Jr 20 Plus ($460) but can't get it anywhere. What I like about it is the fatter tires (20 x 2.6), rigid fork and disc brakes. It seems as though most other 20" mountain bikes have unnecessary and heavy suspension fork and no disc brakes. It looks like the best alternatives are the ByK E-450 MTB ($499 - no disc brakes and on the heavy side), Specialised Riprock ($560 - a bit more than I was wanting to pay) or Avanta Tracker ($375 - super fat 4" tires). I'm now wondering though whether I'm best to just buy the Fluid Mayhem 20" at the local Anaconda store for $250 and save my money to spend on something decent when we trade him up to a 24". Anyone who can offer some guidance?

My son does fine on a 20" Haro Flightline 20 I picked up for $85 on Gumtree. At ~$370 new they're a cheaper option than some other brands if you can find one. Off Gumtree it was still in great nick, just needed a new gear shifter cable and indexing the gears (done by the local shop).

His bike has only got 30mm of suspension, 1x7 gearing, 2.1" tyres and rim brakes, and he absolutely loves it. We've ridden green trails and it's a really good proper little bike.
Unless your young fella is bombing wet descents then rim brakes will be just fine. I'd say save the money with the Fluid at this age, and if he gets hooked then you'll get more options in the 24" market.

Personally, I'll stick to Gumtree for my kids bikes as much as possible until they're on a 26" size or above. There's lots of crud on Gumtree but some awesome little bikes come up cheap as chips, in great nick and hardly ridden.

[10speedsemiracer]

Maybe this Jamis would do the trick...https://www.pushys.com.au/jamis-xr-20-x ... -2018.html

They make a big deal out of the fact that controls are all sized appropriately for smaller riders. No forks but no discs either. I've had good experience with Pushys shipping, so if you're metro area, can't imagine you wouldn't have this before Xmas.

[Plodder]

Thanks for the tips. I also just noticed the GT Stomper 20" for a similar price ($389)-
http://www.gtbicycles.com/aus_en/2017/b ... ducts-area. THoughts?

[10speedsemiracer]

Hard to say, much of a muchness really. Think the Jamis may have the better frame, everything else seems to be on par, same RD, same freewheel cluster, both have twist shift and V-Brakes. Bigger chainwheel on the Jamis (36 v 30).

[Plodder]

Have managed to find somewhere local who will sell me the Jamis for $299, so looks like that might be the go-er. They also have a Bauer Ambush 20" (incl disc brakes) for $349 (http://www.bauerbikes.co.nz/boys-bikes/ambush-20). I've never heard of Bauer - anyone have any good or bad experiences?