BMX - 2008 Hoffman Dekko AL

I am looking for a BMX bike for my 8-year-old grandson. I expect he will ride the bike in our neighborhood and at a local bike park when he visits during the summer. I am considering a "like new" Hoffman Dekko AL that I can get for less than $300. Is this a good bike? I would like to buy something that will last several years.

8yr old? is he going to fit a 20 inch? no need for pegs, gyro and stuff, to heavy. 300 or less leaves a lot of room. I used to like Hoffmans, but I havent seen the new stuff. getting the bike to last years wont be to much of a problem, getting him to fit it for years probably will be trouble tho.

at 8yrs old Id prolly get him a 16 inch, and let him run that until hes 11-12 and then get him a 20 inch, heres my suggestion.


http://www.redlinebicycles.com/uploaded/dynamic/334/PL-Pitboss-red-thumb_300.jpg?1254426263http://www.redlinebicycles.com/bikes/bmx-race/2010-proline-pitbos

Yes, an 8 year old will fit on a 20 just fine. My son and his friends were riding 20s at age 7. I think a Hoffman of any type will be fine for an 8 year old. My 8 year old has a Haro and a Redline, the Haro was bought used for $80 and the Redline was gifted to him but took a little over $100 in parts to get ridable.

As the father of an 8 year old and a 5 year old, I have been through the progession from 12" to 16" to 20". At around 6 years old or so, a 16 is just too small. Top tube is too short. Remember these boys are just riding the bikes in most cases, sitting on the saddle.

http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r162/jsharr/redline/100_1035.jpg

http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r162/jsharr/Easter08003.jpg

Here is a shot of my son on the Redline taken last year. As you can see, his knees are still coming up pretty high.

http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r162/jsharr/100_1170.jpg

ya I guess I goofed there, my 8 year old son still rides a 16, but I never thought about short 20's, well then Id still go with a redline...

funny about the knee thing, my 10 year old daughter rides a 24 and her knees are still to high...

Thanks for the responses! I found I could buy a new in-the-box 2008 Hoffman Dekko AL for $270 and decided that was a no-brainer for a new bike with a 100% Chromoly frame. Hope my grandson likes it. :)