Kids Bike Suggestions

Our three year old has been on her Strider for a few years now and is looking like she is getting ready for some pedals. Looking for some suggestions on bikes to try, shops to look at, things to watch out for etc.

There's a ton of threads on this already if you search for them.
In brief:
-try to find something light
-little hands need little brakes

Check out lil shredder bikes, a few bmx companies make them (SE Bikes, Redline).
IMO Spawn Cycles look to be the best http://spawncycles.com/
Apparently specialized makes a decent one too.

Lots of big name bike companies make kids bikes but they are all shit - bmx parts from 20 years ago that weigh more than your XC rig. You would be better off buying a Walmart special than a GT or Giant etc.

as far as i can tell the two best options for a 3 year old are specialized's hotrock 12 if she's on the small side, which has lots of aluminum bits to keep weight down and a coaster brake, and the spawn gremlin, which has slightly bigger wheels (14") and hand brakes, if she's bigger and more developed. likely a bit early for a little shredder

Don't Go to Walmart, or Zellers, or Costco. Buy a bike that wasn't put together or will be repaired by a 16 yr old kid. Few extra bucks and you'll have bought a good brand with some warranty as well.

^Warranty on what? A 3 lb seat post? The steel rims and bent rod cranks? The Specialized bike looks OK but the rest of the major brands cobble together a bunch of ancient steel bike components and slap a couple kids stickers on them.

I bought a "good brand" for my kid and its a piece of shit. Heavy as all hell, the wheel dish is fucked, the brakes are stiff hard to squeeze horseshoes.

My kids were/are on 12" basic bikes but one has moved to a 16" bike and I went for one which is a step up in quality. I found the coaster brake hubs pretty ordinary on the little bikes although the kids loved riding just the same.
The Opus bikes look good, maybe on par with the Hotrock but I haven't seen them side by side. Spawn bikes look great - your kid might fit the 14" and be able to make it worthwhile for the extra cost.
I found hotrocks on craigslist few and far between, maybe I am a shit classifieds searcher though.

Cheers Ben

I found hotrocks on craigslist few and far between, maybe I am a shit classifieds searcher though.

http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/nvn/bik/3768818952.html

http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/pml/bik/3763646806.html

http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/rds/bik/3768223401.html

Im looking for a Strider. Will buy if you are selling.

http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/nvn/bik/3768818952.html

http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/pml/bik/3763646806.html

http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/rds/bik/3768223401.html

Ah so. I was looking for a 16 inch.

To the OP I would be looking at those links.

Cheers Ben

My 4 year old had been on the strider for about 2 years. (He got off it to sleep at night.)

I just got him a used Redline Pitboss 16" (last weekend on CL in Washington state). Previous owner had replaced the stock tektro brake with an Avid Single Digit and added a flip-flop hub. $180

The kid took about 1 minute to be off and gone on it.

I highly recommend that bike!

(Hard to find deals on used ones though. )

I have the bike you want.

I was just about to post it up on Craig's List, but I will give you first dibs.

It is a Giant Puddin. Near perfect shape. Comes with training wheels (never used because she went straight from her run bike to this bike), a basket, a bell and tassels.

PM me if you are interested. $120obo

My 4yrs old just upgraded from her 12" Specialized Hotrock to a 16" Hotrock. We are selling her small bike for $100 and can through in a baby dolly seat that tucks behind and mounts on the seatstays. A must for any serious big girl biker.

http://abbotsford.en.craigslist.ca/bik/3770817475.html

![]([HTML_REMOVED]

as long as we're all posting our craigslist ads

http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/pml/bab/3773014042.html

Im looking for a Strider. Will buy if you are selling.

Sorry Connor, we have an 8 month old as well so will be keeping it for her. Highly recommend them though. Our daughter has been on it since she was about 18 months and loves it. When we had the second it saved us from buying a double stroller - she just rode her bike everywhere. You go through a lot of shoes though.