Kid's bike advice

[2WheeledWarrior]

My 4yr old is now riding with no training wheels...and his bike is now too small! He has a 12in Redline BMX. What is the next size up and does anyone know if I can get one with a handbrake? THanks!

[Sherpaboy]

16" wheel...should be able to find bikes that have both coaster and handbrake

[iamkickstand]

Next step for my son was an SE lil Wildman, it has a weight limit of like 200lbs, so it's a fun little pit bike too, it's kinda heavy, has only a hand brake, and is built like a tank, he loves it and still rides the crap out of it. He was 4 in this pic.

[Jeffreykdc]

Redline pitboss. I just sold my sons', it was awesome. Only 14 lbs. handbrake only.

[b_b]

I know some disagree, but I say keep it simple. I like the idea of bmx bike for youngns. My youngest is on a 20" rigid SS (freewheel) bike and it's sweet. Cheap suspension forks suck. Gears complicate things and I think little legs can spin almost as well as push higher gears. Yeah top speed is less and he walks/runs some hills but no big deal. He goes pretty darn good and even passed a few people last time out.

[2WheeledWarrior]

Redline pitboss. I just sold my sons', it was awesome. Only 14 lbs. handbrake only.

His current bike is a 12in Redline. I hope the Pitboss is lighter, because his little bike is the heaviest bike in the family.

[iamkickstand]

If u want light go micro bmx w/18" wheels. Great litttli light bikes

[jfactor!]

I'd look at 16" BMX bikes. Simple is good when it comes to kids.

Cult makes 12"/16"/18" BMX bikes that are not just cheapies with nice stickers
http://www.cultcrew.com/2012-juvenile-completes

[Jeffreykdc]

I've had the pit bike and the micro mini. My 5 and 7 year old are on a mini and jr ripper now (bmx race) I've got them geared for the single track and they are great. We actually did 12 miles of paved trails in Windsor on Mother's day with no complaints. The micro is cool but it can't really handle many trails with it's 110 psi super skinny tires.

Redline like many makes has it's dept store line and bike shop line the Pitboss is awesome. SE has a nice one too but the redline is the lightest and imho light is what makes a kid's bike. they don't need gears or suspension those are anchors for kids.

[Doc_d]

I'm surprised no one has recommended a 29er yet.

[iamkickstand]

The micro is cool but it can't really handle many trails with it's 110 psi super skinny tires.

I beg to differ. My son rode holdridge west and north loops on his mini with the super skinny tires all last summer. Not a single problem for him. The mini was a great mountain bike for him, super light, easy to maneuver, etc. The only think it was lacking was a front brake. He even rode the lift at Boyne highlands and rode his mini down the downhill trails and through all the deep sand up there.

Some people also mount up some 20" wheels on the mini's (I think the mini's are like 20-1/8) so they can get a slightly wider tire, which I considered, but it never became a problem.

[utabintarbo]

I'm surprised no one has recommended a 29er yet.

Good idea!

[mtbdudex]

I posted similiar Q 1 year ago;
7 yr old son bike: 6-sp + suspension vs SS w/o suspension? http://mmba.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=104580&hilit=mtbdudex

I ended up buying both my 5 and 7 year old these 20" Specialized hot rock bikes.
Kids loved the gears and hand brakes. It's 2nd nature now for them to shift, brake, etc.
Lots of hills/back trails out here in Hartland.