Kids 24" bike recommendations

[Dan_1981]

Our eldest appears to get through bikes like he does shoes.... at a rather alarming rate.

He's shortly going to turn 9 and has outgrown his Vitus 20"

Looking for what comes next in the recommended list? We've had Easy Riders, Vitus, Frogs etc as he's grown up but things are now starting to get expensive!

The 24" early rider is over a £1k which is a bit steep for a kids bike....

He's not out there bashing trails - just standard family rides, canal sides, parkland etc

So what do we go for this time?

[Rough101]

Go down to Decathlon and try a few out, they’re fine if they are still growing and cheaper than Frogs etc., plus they usually have most in store built up to ride round the shop.

[Rusty Old-Banger]

I've recently bought an Ammoco Kreed 24 for one of ours. Nothing fancy, but front suspension and plenty of gears to make him feel like it's a "proper" bike. Cable-operated disc brakes which seem plenty good enough too. And cheap enough that he can fall off it over jumps and massive muddy puddles that we won't cry when he chips scratches and dents it, leaves it out in the garden overnight in winter etc.

[benny.c]

My lad had a Trek Wahoo 24. Proper little bike, not expensive and lighter than the Early Rider. You can get them new for around £350 when on offer and second hand £150-£200 on eBay. He used his at Llandegla, local bridleways etc.

https://www.cyclesuk.com/shop/bikes/sub/kids/trek-...

Halfords, Decathlon etc bikes are OK but are pretty heavy for a 9yr old at 12.5+Kg vs 9.5Kg for the Trek. At the time I nearly purchased a Hoy Bonaly which is another 9Kg bike and looks quite funky. Not available new any more loads on eBay for £200.

The Giant ARX24 looks decent too.

https://www.giant-bicycles.com/gb/arx-24

Edited by benny.c on Tuesday 18th November 09:51

[Matt_N]

24” is a bit of an in between size, if you can, get him on a 26” as it will last much longer.

[Liamjrhodes]

Just got my daughter a 24" Specialized Riprock to move up to from her 20" version.
It is reasonably light and has a very low top tube which helps
Picked it up second hand and have replaced all the wear items

Second hand makes sense to me as kids don't always grow consistently so may have a spurt and outgrow the bike before their next birthday

[journeymanpro]

bought my daughter a merida matts j+. cracking bike and very lightweight.

[PomBstard]

Matt_N said:

24 is a bit of an in between size, if you can, get him on a 26 as it will last much longer.

If he’s already 9 then this is what I would suggest too. I bought a 24” bike for PBJnr3 when he was 7 and he was on his sister’s size M 26” FS Trek when he was 10. At 11.5 he’s now on a size M Giant Trance 27.5” - you’re right in assuming the bikes will come fast at this age!

See if there are any used size S (or even XS) 26” bikes around and try one of those - likely to last a bike longer, and there might be more choice