35mm

Hi. First post after lurking for a bit. I've looked around a bit and haven't seen this topic. If I missed it, or if I'm posting in the wrong forum, please feel free to correct me.

I have an 8-year-old son who rides a 20-inch Huffy from a major discount store. It's a rigid frame, SS, coaster brake, mountain bike-ish typical kids bike. He loves to ride with me on the road at a local industrial park with absolutely zero weekend traffic. I like it, too.

Here's the deal: I want to find a bike that's essentially his bike in a grown-up size. My idea is that I could ride in the pasture and through the woods with him at home (we have 20 acres) without cratering my Sirrus. I don't need quality, and I don't want to be out a bunch of money. This is, like the title suggests, a bike to ride with my son like I was 8. Pedal a while, coast a while, pop wheelies, go fast over humps to try to get air, etc. just for fun around the ol' homestead.

I've searched the internet and have had no luck. The closest I find is the department store MTBs with suspensions and 24 speeds, and that's not really what I want. A search for used ones has been fruitless as well. Craigslist is not really an option as we are in a very rural area and a couple of hours away from any place served by CL. And, I've struck out so far at garage sales.

Any ideas?

Thanks.

JonathanGennick 

Something from SE Bikes comes to mind:

Retro Series, Bikes | SEBikes.com

These may be more than you want to spend though.

35mm

That's basically what I'm looking for. They are pricey, and probably much higher quality than what I need. The bike I'm looking for will probably never leave our place, and is just for messing around, so I'm really trying to be a tightwad.

Thanks for the link, though.

Darth Lefty 

Look for a jump bike

35mm

I had never heard of jump bikes before, but that seems to be a promising way to go. Amazon shows a Mongoose for about $150. I'll do some more looking and see what's out there.
Thanks!

steve0257

Would a 26" single speed work for what you want? This is close to heresy on this board, but maybe look at some of the big box stores for adult single speeds.

ka0use

I think bonding is ultracool.

35mm

Yes, a SS 26" would be perfect. And I have looked at the big box stores to no avail. All I find are 3x9 full-suspension MTBs. My local Wally World has a couple that were returned. I assume there were problems shifting or something similar. I was all geared up (heh) to make a lowball offer on one, but nobody with the authority to set the price could be found.

Thanks for the suggestion.

Hawgsnawt

not to sound like that Raven guy with my continued utterance of a preferred cycle, but it sounds to me like you have perfectly described a Worksman bike SS with perhaps a handle bar swap to something less cruiserish.....My original intent was to buy one with the extended handle bar stem so it came up about 4 inches taller then put a MTB straight bar on it....would be a great looking single speed 26 inch bike that could handle anything the farm threw at it....

I ended up going the retro cruiser route instead which I think is a good looking bike, but too fancy for what you are looking for.

Worksman Design Your Own Classic MEN'S Cruiser | The Worksman Cycles Factory Direct Store, America's Oldest Cycle Manufacturer, Industrial Bicycles and Tricycles, since 1898

35mm

I keep learning about bike brands and styles I never knew about. That Worksman bike looks like a cool one. Thanks!

flyjimmy

Im definitely not a fan of "cheap bikes" but the Huffy cruisers do seem to be built fairly nice. If I did not have the option of CL or an abundance of yard sales I might go that route for a fun SS.

dksix

It's a cheap-o eBay fixie but thought I'd share

Men's Bicycle 700c Fixie Gear Lightweight Bike Cycling Urban Road Race Green New | eBay

Clyde1820

Electra Townie series of bikes might be an option.

35mm

I'm grateful for all the suggestions, and I have been introduced to some very cool bikes, but I think I'm set.

It's not a SS, but I got a 1988 Specialized Hardrock in very good shape for very little money. Back in '88, the Hardrock was a rigid frame, and the Suntour derailleurs still work slick (friction/indexed).

It's not exactly what I had originally wanted, but it works great for going off the beaten path with my son.

And now, the BB on his x-mart bike has cratered, so I'm on the lookout for a 20" Hotrock.

Thanks for all the suggestions!