|   Help! Mtn biker dad looking for 16" BMX... | El Jester
Nov 10, 2003 5:54 AM | | I am looking for a 16" BMX bike for my 4 yr old son. His little 12" Trek has gotten way too small and his younger brother is ready to start learning on it. I've visited the local shops but most have nothing that I would consider a "real" bike in a 16" wheel size. One shop had a Hoffman but it seemed extremely heavy or could order a Free Agent Lil'Homie.
Give me some options, websites to look at so I can see if we have a local dealer or maybe a place to order online.
Thanks |
| re: Help! Mtn biker dad looking for 16" BMX... | ironlegsracer
Nov 10, 2003 3:39 PM | | REDLINE PITBOOS IS A GOOD ONE,ENVEN HAS 3 PIECE CRANKS. |
| Late reply: 2nd Redline Pitboss | dirtydown
Nov 21, 2003 9:11 AM | | I went through the same challenge and posted here a few months ago. I have twins so I had to get 2 of whatever. I bought the Redline Pitboss with coaster brakes. Definitely a good bike and worth the money. It made a huge difference for my son's enthusiasm for riding. He was off and running without training wheels right out of the shop.
When they are ready to convert to a freewheel, I am going to have a wheel builder at Bike Friday (compact bikes) build the wheels. I think Kenda makes a nice road slick for 16" wheels.
It is almost sad to see what kids have to start riding on these days. Total marketing BS. |
| Looked at a Mosh, Haro last night... | El Jester
Nov 11, 2003 8:42 AM | | Liked the Haro because it still has the coaster brake he is used to and adds the hand brake to learn. I wasn't real impressed by the Mosh Method the had in stock, rather blah with nothing special.
Looked up the Redline. Now that is a sweet kids bike!!!!! Aluminum frame, 3 piece cranks/chainring, pedals, post, stem, bars, rims and a threadles headset. With the addition of some Maxxis Hookworm slicks this will be his next bike. Thanks for the input! Now, off to the LBS to see if they can order it. |
| re: Help! Mtn biker dad looking for 16" BMX... | max's dad
Nov 11, 2003 6:48 PM | | I actually designed the Backtrail 16 with my 4 year old (at the time) son in mind. Coaster brake to rely on stopping. Hand brake to learn the mechanics. Crmo frame, fork, bars and cranks to take the abuse of jumping. Aluminum rims for light weight. I spent a lot of time dialing in the geometry so that it steers right and isn't all squirrelly like some tiny bikes have a tendency to be. The Redline is a nice bike too, but there's not much in the way of more performance oriented 16ers out there. |
| Mom vetoed the redline - no coaster brake... | El Jester
Nov 12, 2003 8:19 AM | | and the shop won't get one for me to try out the sizing with my son. So the Haro it is! It is a nice bike, I was just hoping for somthing little lighter. Although it is lighter than his current 12" Trek! As he gets better I will teach him the "art" of upgrading and add a freewheel and 3 piece cranks.!!!! |
| Thanks everyone! Made a purchase last night... | El Jester
Nov 13, 2003 6:18 AM | | I bought my son a 16" Haro Mirra 360. I was going in to the LBS to get the Haro Backtrail until I saw this one. They had just got 2 of them and and were completing the build. The matte red paint looks great. Mom wasn't real happy about it not having a coaster brake but we have all winter to practice in the basement.
Thanks again for the input. |
| You guys are FUNNY!!! | D'Back24
Dec 1, 2003 1:45 PM | | You guys are funny, all worried about a fancy 16" jumping/freestyle BMX bike for your 4-6 year olds. My son (7) still rides his 12" bike that he got for his third birthday. And he goes faster, jumps higher/further, rides longer wheelies, and does manuals that the other older kids in the neighborhood can't do. He loves that bike, we've put at least 4 sets of tires on it, 2 seats, retightened countless spokes, a couple sets of grips, and had to reweld the handlebars. Oh yeah, installed larger chainwheel and smaller rear cog for more speed.
You know, it's not about how much money you spend on your kid's bike, it's about spending the time with them to show them what a great and diverse sport bicycling is. |
| The Haro's are great bikes . . . | kona2four
Nov 12, 2003 11:42 AM | | They are real for sure bikes that will last until he outgrows them. They'll cover him from the sidewalk all the way to Woodward |
| re: Help! Mtn biker dad looking for 16" BMX... | adam
Dec 26, 2003 6:31 PM | | 16'lil homie from freeagent comes with 3 piece cranks |
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