20" Kids Bikes

It is time for my almost 6 year old to move from a 16" kids bike to a 20". Any suggestions? He rides with me on the lower trails @ Burnaby Mountain. He is quite a good rider for his age and continues to progress. I don't want to buy him a piece of crap Canadian Tire bike that weighs a tonne and self destructs if you take it off road. Since he will probably be on this size of bike for a few years I don't mind spending a bit on it. I need some advice from the biking Dads and Moms out there.

Shifting or single speed?
Hard tail or full suspension?
Are lighter frames available?
Can you get decent brakes on kids bikes?
Any specific brand or model recommendations?

Thanks.

The specialized hotrocks I know have proven decent little trail bikes.
and there under 300 for 6 speed, chainguide, good vbraked hardtail.
well under.

I would probably like to keep it under $500. Thanks for the recommendation on the Specialized. I'll check that one out.

Kona and Norco also have a bunch of options. All things considered, I would go for the lightest one you can get among the models that are available to you-or figure out a way to lighten the bike.

Kid's bikes are ridiculously heavy.

Presonally, I'd put my kid on a BMX bike. In fact, I just did. You can get something really good for almost nothing used. Forces them to learn how to pick a line and really ride. Get a decent one and there is very little likelihood that they will break it, too.

Although I don't have kids myself (yet), we recently put together a pretty rad kid's 20" mountain bike based off this bike:
http://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp?spid=22126
We upgraded the brakes, shifter, and rear derailleur, threw a meatier tire on the front, and put on grippier pedals. It was pretty sweet.

I just shopped around quite a bit for my 6 year old. Best gear bike I could find was the Specialized Hotrock. The shifters are actually designed for kids hands and the front fork actually works. Wheels are aluminum instead of steel. V brakes work well.
I would recommend against full suspension as the weight is ridiculous and the hard tail teaches them to ride.
Cost you $370 though.
This is a good bike for trails. Kids need the gears to climb. If he is just going to ride skateboard parks then I would look at the Redlines. Can find them at Obsession Bikes.

Norco Ninja, it's their new light alloy kids bikes, a little over 400 I think.

If you son is tall enough, consider a 24" bike. You can get a decent bike, like a Norco Jammer or Kona Hula. The forks aren't great, but the rest of the bike works pretty good (i.e. the brake levers don't require Schwarzenegger grip to pull), and the pricing is decent at around $400 or so. Frame size is around a 13", which, when the seat is slammed down is pretty small.

Giant STP 125 20", about $300…

Des

Nice bike, but a chain device? :lol:

Nice bike, but a chain device? :lol:

Hey, I don't design them, but it kinda goes with the waterbottle :lol: You know these kids today… they are so gnarcore ;)

Des

Thanks everyone for the responses. I'll look at the Hotrock @ Obsession. Does anyone know who stocks the Giant? Also, what is your opinion on buying used. For a BMX style bike I wouldn't mind buying used but I am leery of buying a used bike with gears and a d[HTML_REMOVED]#233;railleur. Am I right to think that the chances are good that a used bike is going to shift like s**t?

Thanks everyone for the responses. I'll look at the Hotrock @ Obsession. Does anyone know who stocks the Giant? Also, what is your opinion on buying used. For a BMX style bike I wouldn't mind buying used but I am leery of buying a used bike with gears and a d