Top tips for buying your child’s mountain bike

Posted on 13 June 2011

Chances are your kid’s bike is heavier than your 29er ride, yet you’re expecting the little guys to enjoy those outrides with you. Here’s the deal on buying Junior’s next steed!

HERE’S THE DILEMMA:
Shell out cash on a quality bike, which your kids will outgrow in a couple of years, or buy an el cheapo and put them off mountain biking for life. It’s not quite that black-and-white, especially as new design philosophies such as low-rise geometry allow an extra year or two of use. Both of the following options get my kids’ thumbs-up.

Ride rigid:
Giant is one of the world’s most trusted MTB brands and its XTC kids’ range epitomises no-fuss fun. The lack of shocks keeps weight low, while an aluminium frame and high-tensile steel fork combo ensures durability. Frames are available in 20/24, with a 7-speed drive-train to kill those hills. R2 900

Shock value:
An Ovaltech aluminium frame combined with a Suntour fork, a Shimano drivetrain and good components make the Silverback Atomic junior bike a no-brainer buy. Good shock absorbers enhance the ride, especially on rough terrain, while quality graphics and lowrise geometry give the bike a funky look. R2 055

FOUR KIDDIES’ RIDES TO CRUISE
Don’t go ballistic on the little ones on the very first ride. Allow them to get used to the bike, get their balance and feel the wind in their hair.

Groenkloof Nature Reserve:
In the Fountains Valley green belt adjacent to Pretoria, Groenkloof offers a superb pedalling destination for the whole family. Tiny tots can bike around the picnic area, while adventure kids can take on less technical sections of the ride suited to their skills level.

Harkerville:
This wide-ranging forest ride between Plettenberg Bay and Knysna rates as SA’s original “˜family ride’. With Green, Yellow, Blue, Red and Black Trail options, there’s more than enough choice to satisfy every level of rider. The Green Route is a good starting point if you’re a greenhorn.

Koeberg Nature Reserve:
This 3 000-hectare veld haven is less than 30 minutes from Cape Town, but the meandering gravel roads create true West Coast tranquillity. There are various rides and the 9,5-kilometre route within the Dikkop Hiking Trail region is a popular choice. This can be extended to 19 kilometres if the kids are feeling strong.

Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary:
Less than an hour’s drive from Mbabane, Swaziland’s friendliest MTB ride has relatively fl at jeep tracks winding through grassland plains. Zebra, oribi, reedbuck and a variety of other game dot the reserve, while more testing routes may lure experienced riders into the surrounding mountains.

Beth says
My daughter Beth has been riding a “˜pink bike with tassels’ for as long as she can remember, so the opportunity to test a “˜real mountain bike’ (the Silverback Atomic) certainly blew her hair back. “˜This feels so unbelievable,’ she gushed, “˜and I can jump off the pavement without my feet slipping off the pedals. And it rides through sand! And you don’t sit funny, like a meerkat on a circus bike. Come on Pappa, can’t you buy this for me? Please!’

Corner Shop vs Bike Shop

Corner shop:

  • Heavy metal backache
  • Spend Saturday repairing bikes
  • Money in your pocket
  • Two-year expiry date
  • Best of both worlds at Cash Crusaders

Bike shop:

  • Lightweight pedalling pleasure
  • Spend Saturday riding with your kids
  • Time on your hands
  • Four-year expiry date
  • Guarantee means peace of mind

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