slbrooks

I'm looking for a specialized hotrock 16 for my little boy, the LBS sells one new for $200 plus tax. I've been looking online for a better price or used option with no luck until I came across this one for $140 + 12.50 shipping from outspokenbikes.com Link below is from specialized as they have a better photo: https://www.specialized.com/us/en/bc/...007&spid=22140

It's a 2007 girls model, but is new. It's pearl white and black with black paw prints on it. I know he wouldn't mind now (he's almost 4 and loves dogs), but do you think it looks girly enough to bother him when he's like 6 or 7? After that he'll be ready for a 20" bike. Thanks!

BengeBoy 

Looks OK to me.

Just make sure you don't mention anything to other siblings or neighbors about the fact that it's a "girl's" bike -- one of them is sure to let it slip, and then it'll bother him. Unless you say something, no one would ever know.

alicestrong

That's adorable...a Dalmation bike!

Sixty Fiver

Looks fine...

whatsmyname

It doesn't look (stereotypically) girly to me - it's not covered with pink fairies and tassles and streamers and strawberry shortcake or anything. Besides - if he throws a fit, give him a box of stickers and tell him to go crazy.

bicyclridr4life

He likes dogs, it's not lavender, ALL kids bikes in 16 inch has the sloping top tube, nothing really "girly" about it, in my humble opinion.

leob1

Lucky kid, gets a new specialized.

jdmitch

Yup, call it a dog bike.

slbrooks

Thanks everyone, I think it is cute too. I called the place and found out that shipping is actually $32.50 'cause it needs a bicycle box. Still an option though if I can't find a used one before his birthday. Still better than paying $200 plus tax.

Sci-Fi

Bikes of that size are pretty much unisex and there's no real difference other than color/decals. It looks fine and he should enjoy riding it w/o getting teased by his friends.

cod.peace

My boys were given a girl's 16" bike. It's screaming fluorescent green with white tires and it has a handlebar pad with purple sparkles and a sunflower on it (that's apparently what made it a girl's bike). They love it and think it's pretty. I've seen several bikes with a nearly identical frame in both boy & girl paint schemes. The 6 year old rode it until he outgrew it, now he's on a Raleigh MXR I got off of Craig's List. that one's a boy's bike in polished silver, and was owned by a girl who didn't like girlie bikes. The 3.5 year old is now rocking the green bike. I need to find a new rear tire though, the use of the coaster brake is getting it down to the threads.

Let me tell you - they would have flipped over a puppy bike. If your kid likes it, he'll ride it!

Noobert

I think the geometry will genetically alter him.
















Jk...I couldn't tell its a girls bike

AndrewP

Agree with comments above but I think it would be more boyish if it had straighter bars. Ask the shop if they could swap the bars.

Wino Ryder

If I was four years old and had that, I'd flip!

The paw prints on the chain guard is a nice touch, and what little boy aint gonna like puppies anyway.

I say get the bike and let your son enjoy it.

slbrooks

Well, I ended up getting him a dawes blowfish 14". Interesting kids bike in that is uses hand brakes instead of a coaster brake. Also has an aluminum frame which is the main reason I got it. My back is killing me from leaning over to teach him how to ride, but am trying to avoid training wheels.

And, I just bought a women's specialized rockhopper off craigslist for $100 for myself. Crazy that I spent more on his bike than mine

Kobe 

Try taking the pedals off and letting him cost down a small hill. He can use his legs as outriggers to get his feel for balancing. My son was riding at 3 1/2 using this method.

I like the idea of hand brakes , get him started early because that will be what he is riding on his next bike.

slbrooks

He theoretically has balance down since he has a strider running bike and uses it all the time. And we've lowered the seat as far as it will go and only the top part of feet touch the ground. It's probably a fine height for riding, but not so much for learning.

So I think its a combination of it being a bigger bike and him just learning how to pedal that is preventing him for being able to ride unassisted. I'm sure he'll figure it out though...he loves his bike!