Recreational & Family - Bike recommendations for 10 yr old girl

Well, my 10 year old girl (turning 11 in Jan.) has earned her ticket to a better bike. She has been riding cheap Toys R US bikes for several years. I'd like to get her a good bike for the holidays.

Any good recommendations. She'll probably get either a hybrid or mountain bike. Some decent but not too expensive as she will outgrow it in 2-3 of years. She will be riding mostly in the neighborhoods and occassion trips to parks picnic places.

I actually see some decent bikes at Dicks. Anybody has experience with them?

Thanks for any advice.

Since we don't know her size, why not support your local bike shop (LBS) and visit them. They can determine the correct size and suggest bikes that may "grow" somewhat with her. And when you need service/repairs they will be there to help.

The bikes at Dicks are better than xmart but nit as good as a bike shop. And in big box stores, often it's the person who sweeps the floors and stocks the shelves that assembles the bikes. :eek:

kakashi, The Dick's near me is splendid, it's an individual store thing. Where I live the store is a major player in this huge golfing realm, they care not to compromise their rep. by having a crummy bike dept. I suppose. I've steered friends there. I've test ridden bikes that were OK. An entire 100 post thread exists here.

Females need to have a bike they like. Don't care if it sounds sexist; the truth often hurts but it's the truth. A boy can be manipulted using his or someone else's rational, NOT a female though. You're married, you know this; it's a personal more than a bike thing.

11 is a tough age, she'll grow a foot in three years. If the man at the place seems cool, let it rip, get a bike she fancies and a 150 to 200 bike. Which most likely will be better than.... Buy a bike as "big' as she'll allow (don't go dinky)
Don't get a Next or a bike with cheap hardware that'll cut your fingers and weighs a ton.
Mongoose, GT, DiamondBack are good these days from what I've seen and ridden.

spending 3 (or more) is well worth it

Thank you guys for the great advice. I'll do my homework now.

I happened to've checked-out their site thriough the course of looking into the brands themslves, listed as dealers. They top-off @ about 350 but I saw 200 too.
Hundred dollar + should be avoided. I spotted a nice Nishiki, wasn't cheap though.

Central Jersey has a good CraigsList, you can pick up something a few years old for half of what it cost new. After she outgrows it you will be able to sell it again and loose very little.

My 10 year old daughter is very tall , so this year she got my wife's Specialized Crossroads hybrid.
I think hybrids are great for kids because they can take a little beating and she can still go on longer rides.