I'd like to think, in my old age, I have a few (very few) principles. One is: avoid buying products made in communist China if there is ANY possible alternative. The other: kids don't tell adults what to do. Adults tell kids what to do.

But...my nine year old nephew badly wants a bike with "speeds" and front suspension. He has three excellent one speed BMX bikes. I think sturdy one speed bikes are the best bikes for a nine year old boy. But, his buddies have bikes with lots and lots of speeds. And suspension. And he has GOTTA have one...so now, he is pushing me to consider "dancing with the devil".

So, I look at what is in the neighborhood bike shops. The bike he wants sells for $200 to $300 at a good bike shop. A mixture of some good parts and some not so good parts. Every single one: made in communist China. If there is a "Made in USA" bike for nine year olds with front suspension, I can't find it.

Yesterday, I'm was at Oshman's sporting goods store. They have a Mongoose Bolt with suspension and lots and lots of speeds for $79.99, marked down from $149.99. Made in China, just like the $300 bikes at the local bike shop. A mixture of some nice Shimano parts, and some generic parts, just like the $300 bikes...but, for only $79.99.

The shop mechanic tells me that "I work on this bike everyday...I can get it shifting well...adjust the suspension for the weight of the kid...it will be a good ride...if anything else that needs adjusting, just bring it back."

I think a nine year is better off with a one speed BMX bike. Unbreakable. No hassles. Howver, the nine year old strongly disagrees. If I give in to the kid, my "kids don't tell adults what to do" principle takes a big hit...

And, if I buy a bike made in communist China...my "no dollars to the communists in China" principle takes a hit. At $79.99, a very small hit...but there is a slippery slope when bending principles.

Maybe I can tell him "Wait until your tenth birthday". By then, perhaps some company in the USA will be building affordable bikes for kids...how likely it THAT to happen?

So, I'm probably gonna be "bending" two of my few remaining principles, while feeling like the guy who was accused of violating most of the "Ten Commandments". He said "I'd prefer to think of them more as the "ten" suggestions..."