BMX - Gotta get my kid a bike. Specialized fuse?

I know veterans hate answering newbie questions, but please bear with me.

It's time to get my 9 year old a new bike. He's been riding a handme down Trek.

I've been lookin' and there's WAY TOO MANY models at the shops around Chicago.

His brother's got a Specialzed Fatboy that he likes, so I thought maybe I'd go with the same brand.

I've seen Haro, GT, Redline, Felt....etc. I saw GT and Mongoose at Sporting goods stores so I was leary.

I just don't want to get him a crappy Toy's-R-Us cheepie. I want something solid that he can upgrade if he gets further into street biking.

So....... Specialized Fuse 1--- Is this a decent beginner? Or should I go with one of ther other brands around the same price range? (about 230.00 USD around here)

Thanks to anyone taking time to read this. Keep the human spirit alive.

--Jeremy

The Fuse 1 is most definitely a great bike for a beginner.

my freinds brother has one they are great i rode it at a bmx track performs great

either that or a haro for a beginer bike, but stick with it (the specialzed fuse)

Hello and thanks for the response. I went to get a Fuse 1 today and the bike shop (Spokes in Naperville, IL) said I need to buy a Fuse 2 for my kid. They said Fuse 1 was only for shorter kids and that it had a shorter frame.

It didn't seem like this was true on the Specialized Website.

He then told me that Specialized bikes were for ADULTS who knew about components and that kids didn't care about quality, they just want Haro bikes like their friends have. He had Haro in stock and Specialized was out of stock.

Give me a break. The store workers then told me that Haro was the best BMX bikes on the market today.

Is this a general opinion?

They told me GT sucked (Iwas leary of this brand since I saw it at the sports authority.) Also, they said Felt was just starting up with BMX and they didn't know if they could be trusted. (No idea).

SO is this guy full of crap? Or is this sage advice?

I know the crap about kids not liking quality components is a load of sh*t.

Thanks again for taking the time.

--Jeremy

This was my mistake. If you want a bike for your son, you should probably get a Fuse Ix, which has a 19" toptube rather than the Fuse I's 20.5" toptube (which is suitable for most kids in highschool, since they're taller). The Fuse II is definitely not what you want, though.

Haro completes aren't bad at all, and if by "bikes" he meant "complete bikes", than it's a matter of opinion, although it's a perfectly valid one; but if he meant "bike frames/forks/parts/etc" by "bikes", than he's clueless.

GTs are pretty much crap, and have been for years.

Are they trying to help you out, or just make a sale? I race a Haro, and feel it's a good bike. But sounds like your LBS told you the bike they have in stock is the best one. If they get Specialized in next week, they'll be best. They're losing credibility in my book. Is there another shop nearby? I also have a Felt race bike, and have noticed that not only is it spec'd well, but it's got some touches that make me think it's clearly a well thought out ride. Even if you're not looking for a race bike, I can vouch for the quality of Haro and Felt.

Specialized Fuse's are really nice..the whole line is dialed...

my friend has felt, if ridden it. rides smooth and said he doesnt have problems with it.

the fuse 1 is a great bike. it has quality parts and most likkely will last him a while as long as he takes some care of it.

Thanks for all of the support.

I found a shop in LaGrange that sold Specialized.

I picked up a fuse 1 and my son loves it.

The front brake seems a little weak, but other than that he's freaking out.

It's people like you who help the lives of people like me go smooth.

Thanks,

Jeremy

It's not like he'll really need the front brake, anyway. I doubt that he'll be doing nosepicks on miniramps for awhile.

Glad to hear that he's happy with it, though.

He's 9? Yeah, I'd start him with a slightly weak front brake anyway.