20" Bike for 6-9 year old with Suspension

[SwissJonese]

My daughter is really getting into biking, couple of XC races etc and I want to upgrade her 16" Cube to a front suspension mountain bike with gears.

I really like the look of the NS Kids Clash 20 but as it is made to order I have to pay full price for them to get one in to try it out. I also like the Dawes Academy MTB 20 but as it only comes in blue my daughter says no thanks.

So bike shop suggested we get in the Specialized RipRock 20 as only need to pay minimal deposit. Looking at reviews it might be a bit heavy and big so we might need to change the tyres to thinner ones so she fits.

Is there really that much difference between the Specialized vs NS Clash?

[vwsurfbum]

I'd go with the Spesh as the resale will be easier but if i were you i'd hunt out a used Isla or a Frog because from experience they only stay on a 20" for a year.

[Craikeybaby]

My son is a little way away from needing a 20" bike, but I do like the look of the Orbea kids bikes.

If you're on Facebook check out the Little Rippers MTB group, there's loads of good information there on kids mountain bikes.

[Kawasicki]

Look our for daft weights too...the Specialized is about 12kg...which is a lot for a kid.

[SwissJonese]

Craikeybaby said:

My son is a little way away from needing a 20" bike, but I do like the look of the Orbea kids bikes.

If you're on Facebook check out the Little Rippers MTB group, there's loads of good information there on kids mountain bikes.

Yep liked the Orbea, but no suspension sadly. Also liked the DAWES Academy MTB 20 which seemed light even with suspension + Disc Brakes. Thanks for the tip on FB, I have now joined.

[boyse7en]

Is suspension much of a help to a kid? I'd have thought her weight (i.e.. not much) wouldn't have held the bike down enough for suspension forks to be effective

[vwsurfbum]

It helps despite the weight, stops them getting bounced around and losing traction