bike for seven year old

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Bialy

Could I get some specific recommendations for a bike for a 7 year old?
Price limit is say 150 US dollars.
What is best for brakes (front hand + back foot vs. just hand)?
Should I go for one-speed or 3 or 7?
Should I go for 24 inches vs. 20 inch (He's now 48 inches tall)
I would like him to use it for awhile, if possible, best fit and good experience for him would be more important I guess.

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GamecockTaco

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Bialy

answer to your questions really depends on what he'll be using the bike for. If he's only riding around the neighborhood then you can go one route. If he's doing any type of actual off-road stuff, you'll need to go another.

GamecockTaco: Good point; he'll use it for more neighborhood stuff on pavement, some grass. I don't think Walmart is a good idea as I want him to have a good quality experience rather than do it on the cheap. Any specific suggestions and answers to my other issues in post one would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Original Post:
Could I get some specific recommendations for a bike for a 7 year old?
Price limit is say 150 US dollars.
What is best for brakes (front hand + back foot vs. just hand)?
Should I go for one-speed or 3 or 7?
Should I go for 24 inches vs. 20 inch (He's now 48 inches tall)
I would like him to use it for awhile, if possible, best fit and good experience for him would be more important I guess.

masiman

Previous threads on the subject that go through your questions:

Decent bike for 8yr old (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=340529)
What does my 7yr old need (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=216779)
Wanted: Light, Rigid 20" (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=309264)

I don't think those threads covered 3 vs 7 spd. 3spd will be less maintenance, but your choices will be more limited than with a 7spd. I honestly have not seen an internally geared kids bike in those sizes, but I do not doubt that they are out there (just not stocked at the shops in my area).

The size to get will depend on your kid. There is more to fit than overall height. Go to a local shop (LBS) and find out what would work best for him. The cost is easier to handle if there are siblings that can inherit the bike.

Good Luck.

DiabloScott

None of those threads covered my daughter's new bike either. Her 8th birthday present. Trek MT20

My criteria: 20" wheels, two hand brakes, no coaster brake, rigid fork. I wouldn't have turned down shifters if they had 'em but didn't think they were necessary either. Had to go to $200 and had to convince the bike shop to order it (Trek dealer but they don't normally stock this model).

Daughter's criteria: kick stand (free optional accessory) and skid ability (not quite as good as a coaster but it works). She also really likes the color and graphics.

She rode the MT220 that had suspension fork and shifters but didn't like how it dives down when braking on the front (I didn't either).

http://internationalbike.com/images/library/large/trek_mt20_g_08_m.jpg

Trucker_JDub

Seriously, take him to your favorite LBS, or even walmart for that matter, and let him pick the one that is shiniest and makes his eyes light up. I think that will make him enjoy it more than anything else.
+1
When I was little my parents did just that for my first new bike. I picked a chrome framed 20" BMX with red flames on it. Its one of the only bikes I remember in great detail from my past. I had a blast on it.

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