Mountain Biking - Kid's MTB rigs...suggestions??

As many of you know - I've got three kids nipping at my heals on the trails now (15, 12 and 9). We did a 26 mile XC with plenty of climbing and even more DH last Saturday (Colorado's famous Monarch Crest Trail).

My 9 year old got pretty "brutalized" by his hefty and fully rigid Giant MTX 225.

Any suggestions for a lighter full on 26" wheeled small frame MTB rig that takes industry standard components (for future upgrades)??

I've looked at:
Giant Boulder SE
Specialized Hotrock

Kona Stinky JR is just too pricey!

ok my suggestion is out...:D..sorry

Jamis is know for making smaller sized frames. I think they still make a 11.5" frame!

You should also look at some of the new WSD (women specific) frames that a lot of the major manufacturer's are making now.

Plus, if you decide on going with discs, you can lace up a set of 24" wheels and later swap them out for some normal 26" ones and put the 24" on your bike with some big ole fatty 3.0" tires!

L8R

Jamis does make a smaller frame, I picked up a 12" Jamis Durango frame at Jenson for $96..

I checked out the WSD setups...like the Santa Cruz Juliana...I can't afford a boutique bike for my son! Friggin thing was over $2k built up.

Looking for frames now - seeing if I can find a decent small frame to build up with those leftover NRS-1 Parts...

Jenson has 12" Jamis Eureka frames for $89.00 and Komodo's for $179.00! I think the Eureka is disc-only, but both are outstanding platforms for a "parts bike" build up.

I just checked out the Eureka Frame...it's PERFECT. I've got the old parts from the NRS-1 (Hayes Hydro's)...it's perfect. I'm going to mull it over for a day or two...

Can you see my soon to be 10 year old riding this sweet Eureka Al Hardtail frame with Hayes Discs...carbon fiber bar and seat post...xtr...SID XC Air front shock...??

For $89.00 what is there to mull over. You'll sell your VT for a ton more than that! I'd get it on the quick! Your son will be the envy of all his friends, me too!

L8R

Now, get some new spokes and some 24" wheels and he'll be set for awhile!

L8R

I was thinking of tossing some 24's on it...we'll see how it fit's with the 26'er Mavic UST's from the NRS-1 first.

Not really interested, but how much are you gonna ask for the VT?

L8R

They're going for $1,250 new (frame and rear shock only - Manitou Swinger Air)...I'll be looking to get at least $1,000 plus shipping.

Cha-Ching...I just pulled the trigger on the Eureka frame. $113.95 shipped. My son's B-Day is the 30th - just enough time to receive it, build it and tweak it for him...

that damn kid is gonna have a nicer bike than me!! haha j/k congratulations.

It will be decked out for sure...but only by sheer luck with the hand me down components off my NRS-1. I don't think I'd get enough for them used to even pay for moderate build up parts...so he is a lucky ten year old!

Hey BC. Want to adopt a 34 year old son???????

I'll even move to Colorado Springs to live with you, "Dad"!

L8R

That would be mighty unique...'cause I'm 37...oh, what the heck! I'll make room in the garage for your bikes...and you can have the spare room when the in-laws move out at the end of the month...

Cool, I'll start packing when I get home! Did I mention my wife and son? I guess they'd be your daughter-in-law and grandson! We don't take up too much room. 3 trucks, 8 bikes, a tandemn kayak, all my tools, an air-hockey table, a bedroom suite and of course the 52" projection screen TV and entertainment center!

Now, can you get me a job???

L8R

I'm doing about the same thing for my son.. I picked up the 12" durango frame and using spare parts to build up a really nice bike, he's not getting it to christmas still a bit big for him. It's amazing the parts you collect after a while :)

a2psyklnut If you bring the big screen tv I'll adopt you :)

Now accepting applications for the bikeCOLORADO biking commune.

Positions Available:
- Brewmeister
- Wrench/Frame Designer (must be Al/Ti TIG welding certified)
- Tainer
- Cook/Nutritionist
- Events Coordinator/Team Manager
- Tech Geek - Position Filled!
- All manner and flavor of riders willing to help build and maintain the commune and of course RIDE!

What is a tainer? hahaha I can be the official brew taste tester :)

I can be the wrench, although I don't weld. (But I can learn!)

I'm also a pretty good cook. Spanish and Argentine heritage!

I'm a Construction Project Manager, and quite handy. So, I can coordinate and maintain the buildings.

I've done a wee bit of home brewing, so I can be the Brewmeister as well!

L8R

Now to find the benefactor willing to donate his/her land and existing buildings...located at or near my favorite playground...

The itsy bitsy 12" Eureka is here...waiting for the new AC frame to arrive so I can tear into the old NRS and build up the little mighty machine!

Don't forget to post photos of the build-up and finished bike!

Definitely...

With pics AND vids of the little nipper rocking through some of our favorite technical terrain...give me 2-3 weeks!

I was tempted to buy that Eureka frame, but picked up the durango since I had a non-disc wheelset to put on it. Just going by the looks the Durango looks like a nice frame, I'm assuming the Eureka is somewhat similar.

Since I've got all the parts (disc brakes and wheels) from my NRS-1 for the Eureka...it was a no-brainer for me to pick the Eureka. The Durango does look very similar.

Geometries are all very similar too:
http://www.jamisbikes.com/bikes/spec_geo/hardtailgeo02.html

Id recommend the hotrock, i had it when I was young (im 15 now) and it was good, but smaller forks cost a lot.

Wahoo!

The 2003 VT-1 frame AND the 2003 AC-1 Frame are here! I'm gonna be a busy beaver this weekend...