Yep, my ten year olds have been riding proper "mountain bikes" since they were 4 and they both now shred pretty hard (for 10 year olds). I recently had to install a better narrow-wide chainring and chain guide on one of kids bikes because he was plowing pretty hard and started dropping his chain almost twice a trail!
I always hear/read "what, you're kids are 10 and riding FS bikes?! I started on blah blah blah blah." Ya, so did I and I would have given my left nut to be riding what my kids are riding now. But back then, there wasn't even an option and definitely not at the price points available now (especially the pre-covid used market), and now that I'm in a position where I don't have to give my left nut, why not?
Also... depending on your kids and the unique combination of their will/grit/temperament and your ability to push them an/or handle the bad moments... providing them with good gear and bikes can make a HUGE difference in their desire to ride and then everyone's enjoyment of what can be an insanely fun family sport/activity. Screw standing on the sidelines in the pouring rain of a boring soccer game or freezing your ass off on the wooden seats of a hockey arena... I would wayyyy rather be riding WITH my kids.
I had a light bulb moment a couple years ago at our local bike park when one of my sons broke something on his hardtail (24" Rocky Mountain Vertex). So we decided to shell out for a rental (24" Rocky Mountain Reaper)... the kid was instantly twice as fast, twice as comfortable and twice as happy. The next week I found a great deal on a used 24" FS bike for him and it's been amazing ever since.
Also, this is their sport. The same people that chide us for buying good gear and riding clothes for our kids turn around and have no problem dropping precious coin on high end hockey sticks, skates cleats, gear, clothing, training, tournament trips, etc, etc, etc... for their kids chosen sports... why does Mountain Biking always get hate for the same thing?
Anyway, my kids are kitted out in Fox jerseys, Raceface shorts, Sombrio gloves, Raceface knee pads, Gform elbow pads, Bell Super 2R fullface helmets and Ride Concepts shoes. They've both got full suspension bikes with proper drivetrains (range), dropper posts, and proper Crank Brothers Stamp 1 flat pedals. Because they're geared up properly and ready for anything, they're able to climb and descend comfortably and we're able to ride as a family in full confidence in our gear (not having to stop every 10 minutes to fix janky shit is a big plus) and have a great time!!
They're both racing in their first enduro races this weekend... and I've had to bow out in order to help see them through it... and I couldn't be happier!!
Go buy your kids cool shit, it's worth it.
PS. And yes, as they're getting older we're forming plans to split the costs of future bikes/gear etc... until they can take over buying their own stuff.
Aug. 13, 2021, 9:29 a.m. - IslandLife
Yep, my ten year olds have been riding proper "mountain bikes" since they were 4 and they both now shred pretty hard (for 10 year olds). I recently had to install a better narrow-wide chainring and chain guide on one of kids bikes because he was plowing pretty hard and started dropping his chain almost twice a trail! I always hear/read "what, you're kids are 10 and riding FS bikes?! I started on blah blah blah blah." Ya, so did I and I would have given my left nut to be riding what my kids are riding now. But back then, there wasn't even an option and definitely not at the price points available now (especially the pre-covid used market), and now that I'm in a position where I don't have to give my left nut, why not? Also... depending on your kids and the unique combination of their will/grit/temperament and your ability to push them an/or handle the bad moments... providing them with good gear and bikes can make a HUGE difference in their desire to ride and then everyone's enjoyment of what can be an insanely fun family sport/activity. Screw standing on the sidelines in the pouring rain of a boring soccer game or freezing your ass off on the wooden seats of a hockey arena... I would wayyyy rather be riding WITH my kids. I had a light bulb moment a couple years ago at our local bike park when one of my sons broke something on his hardtail (24" Rocky Mountain Vertex). So we decided to shell out for a rental (24" Rocky Mountain Reaper)... the kid was instantly twice as fast, twice as comfortable and twice as happy. The next week I found a great deal on a used 24" FS bike for him and it's been amazing ever since. Also, this is their sport. The same people that chide us for buying good gear and riding clothes for our kids turn around and have no problem dropping precious coin on high end hockey sticks, skates cleats, gear, clothing, training, tournament trips, etc, etc, etc... for their kids chosen sports... why does Mountain Biking always get hate for the same thing? Anyway, my kids are kitted out in Fox jerseys, Raceface shorts, Sombrio gloves, Raceface knee pads, Gform elbow pads, Bell Super 2R fullface helmets and Ride Concepts shoes. They've both got full suspension bikes with proper drivetrains (range), dropper posts, and proper Crank Brothers Stamp 1 flat pedals. Because they're geared up properly and ready for anything, they're able to climb and descend comfortably and we're able to ride as a family in full confidence in our gear (not having to stop every 10 minutes to fix janky shit is a big plus) and have a great time!! They're both racing in their first enduro races this weekend... and I've had to bow out in order to help see them through it... and I couldn't be happier!! Go buy your kids cool shit, it's worth it. PS. And yes, as they're getting older we're forming plans to split the costs of future bikes/gear etc... until they can take over buying their own stuff.