davemchine

My daughter will be turning eight soon and has asked for a bike "like dad's." I think she is looking for larger wheels and some gears than her little kids bike. So I'm soliciting suggestions for a bike appropriate to her age. She doesn't need 21 gears or full suspension. She just needs something a bit more capable than her little kid bike. Thanks for the suggestions.

nuttygrandma

I just went thru that with my almost 11 year old granddaughter. Go to your LBS and start talking. Give them a list of what you think she wants. I have the Sedona by Giant and really like my bike so I started with Giant's website and they have youth bikes. What I found was 20" bikes have youth lever brakes but are single speed. The 24" bike, which is what I got my granddaughter, is a 7 speed with rear derailleurs. The bike shop said kids were resilant and learn the gears quickly but at this age, they really aren't that interested in anything more than what is offered on the 24" bike. As you know, price will vary for a quality bike. My biggest selling point was the trade-up program because I know she will outgrow this one in 2-3 years.

Check out your LBS. Ask about a trade-up program for youth. If she needs a mountain bike, they generally can custom make the bike for a little more money.

Good luck and have fun with her. I know my granddauhter enjoys the time any of us take her biking. She is already planning what trails we are hitting on our long-weekend together, next week.

djyak

My daughter is 6, and I just bought her a German made 6 speed bike, 20". She's been going on regular 10-12 mile rides now, and tackling some decent hills too. The bike is great, good range in gears, easy to use the gears, and most importantly, the brakes are V-brakes, not side pulls. She can't handle those. But the V-brakes, nice and easy for her.

Tundra_Man 

When my son was eight he wanted a bike with gears. I wound up buying him this model: https://www.amazon.com/Diamondback-Oc...989557&sr=1-10

Been a solid bike for him. He's done two kids triathlons on it.

Hendricks97

My 6 year old son has a 20" Giant with 7 speed grip shifters. We bought it for him last Christmas and we will need to move him up to a 24" by the end of summer. Luckily the LBS has the trade up program.

djyak

I like the trade up program. What a way to keep business! When I was stationed in Alabama, there was a LBS like that, they would take your old bike, repari if possible and it went to their own foundation that gave bikes to the less fortunate.

Hendricks97

Thats what ours does too. The bikes are donated locally to various organizations and we are guaranteed 50% of our original purchase price towards the new larger bike. Unfortunately it stops at 24" wheels so I can only take advantage of it once. Hes already asking for a road bike next. I think Ive created a N+1 6 year old monster