Mountain Biking - Affordable SS Mountain Bike Suggestions For A 14 Year Old Please!

Hello all,

I'm a long time poster here on BF, but I know absolutely nothing about mountain bikes. In fact I've only ridden a bike with a front shock once. :p So I come here asking for your help.

I'm in Riga, Latvia, and my 14 year old great nephew who has just declared that he would rather cycle than save up for a car, is in my home town of Toledo, Ohio. Clearly on hearing about his declaration from his mother I want to help the guy out.

After talking to the guy himself he has told me that he would like a single speed mountain bike, preferably with 26" wheels. Could you please suggest some sub $450 models? I called the LBS which I used to use in Toledo and they can get a Redline Monocog, but it's a 29er. Any other suggestions for bikes available in the US would be most welcome.

Thanks.

Z.

Is there a particular reason why he is against getting a 29er? Just curious...

Is there a particular reason why he is against getting a 29er? Just curious...

I don't think he's dead set against it, in fact I don't even know if he knows they exist, but he did mention that he had a BMX and would now like a bike with 26" wheels, although a 29er is certainly within the real of possibility.

does he want a dual sussie? or just a hardtail?

but for that price a hardtail would be the best.

and what type of riding does he do?

It would be REAL hard to find a quality FS in the price range that he stated. How about this? I know it's a 9er but it's in the price range.

http://www.benscycle.net/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=1984&currency=USD

does he want a dual sussie? or just a hardtail?

but for that price a hardtail would be the best.

and what type of riding does he do?
Thanks for the reply.

He wants a hardtail, perhaps even with a ridged fork. From what he told me he'll be biking to school and basketball, as well as some trails in the parks around his house.

It would be REAL hard to find a quality FS in the price range that he stated. How about this? I know it's a 9er but it's in the price range.

http://www.benscycle.net/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=1984&currency=USD

Thanks for the suggestion.

http://twentynineinches.com/2008/04/03/se-racing-stout-29er-final-review/

The monocog was offered with 26" wheels up until this year (last year?) I think. You could try calling some Redline dealers to see if they have a leftover. I'd encourage him to consider the 29er too, but from what I hear 29er stuff is hard to get in parts of Eurpoe. Not sure if this is the case in Latvia.

The monocog was offered with 26" wheels up until this year (last year?) I think. You could try calling some Redline dealers to see if they have a leftover. I'd encourage him to consider the 29er too, but from what I hear 29er stuff is hard to get in parts of Eurpoe. Not sure if this is the case in Latvia.

Thanks for the suggestion.

While 29er stuff is available here in Latvia, it isn't an issue as the kid is in Toledo, Ohio.

2009 Kona Humuhumu (http://www.konaworld.com/09_humu_u.cfm). Steel single-speed, 26x2.3 wheels, rigid fork, $450.

http://www.konaworld.com/09bikes/small/T2K9_HUMUHUMU.jpg

Redline Monocog can be had on eBay for $399 As can the Outcast from BikesDirect.com.

These would be options to the OP and I am looking for a similar bike so any comments on these woul dbe great.

Performance has a GT Peace SS for $499 http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=25022&estore_ID=1862
It is 26" wheels and has disc brakes. Maybe wait for a 15%-20% coupon that works on bikes...

does he want a dual sussie? or just a hardtail?

but for that price a hardtail would be the best.

and what type of riding does he do?

Wow......just wow.

I personally feel like there is a growing market for affordable (sub 500 dollar) single speed dual suspension bikes. As manufactuerers make and sell more, prices will come down. Can your nephew wait, say, two weeks to give the industry time to respond to increased demand?