Recommendations For New Bike

[Zain]

Hi people

I need your expert advice. I'm looking for a new bike for my 12 y/o son. He's currently riding a BMX but previously had a GT Chucker that was stolen.

He seems to like the idea of a trials/jump bike but I'm thinking something with gears, perhaps a Scott YZ model or Kona Stuff.

I don't know what the single gear on a trails bike is like but he'll be using it to ride to and from School ( 3 miles round trip)

The bikes he's looking at are Twenty47 SS, Drone? or identity 666s.

My Budget is circa £400 new/nearly new.

Apologies if this is in the wrong section

Thanks

Z

[matt-echo team]

Hi, all the bikes you listed are very good bikes my favourite would be the kona having owned a kona shred myself, I just loved riding my kona it was just so smooth compared to my friends bikes such as dmr's and identiti's. I am selling my kona but it does only have a back brake and is single speed (i was purely using it for dirt jumping) If you would like further spec you can text me on... 07507650151

[Zain]

Hi, all the bikes you listed are very good bikes my favourite would be the kona having owned a kona shred myself, I just loved riding my kona it was just so smooth compared to my friends bikes such as dmr's and identiti's. I am selling my kona but it does only have a back brake and is single speed (i was purely using it for dirt jumping) If you would like further spec you can text me on... 07507650151

Thanks for the reply

Any other unbiased ( ) input would be appreciated

[Alex Dark]

id go for the kona myself, they;re awesome bikes and pretty damn good value for money

[Zain]

id go for the kona myself, they;re awesome bikes and pretty damn good value for money

I hear you. Kona Shred brand new for under £400, but he doesn't think the colour is cool enough

[dan_addison]

Out of them all the DMR drone would be best. Konas are good bikes but there kinda love or hate handling. But i would say none of the bikes youv'e listed are trials bikes. More street and dirt jump bikes. Great for learning on and alright to ride to school on aswell.

[FOX355-luke]

if it was me i would get the scott yz, they are so light and very strong. my mate had for for ages and it took such a beating and never broke....

[Zain]

Thanks for your help guys

We've come to an agreement on 2 bikes. It's either going to be the Kona Shred 08 (white with graphics) or the Scott YZ0 (white with graphics)

I suppose their neither here or there in terms of a dedicated trails/dirt bike but I figure he can have a tastes of both and still be an easy ride to school.

Both bikes come in around the £600 mark, is it worth waiting for the summer sales?

Thanks

Z

edited to add, any idea which size frame would be suitable for your average 12 year old?

Edited May 8, 2008 by Zain

[Alex Dark]

is he interested in trials at all?

[Zain]

is he interested in trials at all?

Not specifically. Karate and Basketball are his hobbies.

[chewitt iz eree]

well if you want a bike with gears

i would go for a onza zoot

chewitt

[Pagie]

Hey

Ive actually ridden most of the bikes mentioned.

I am personally a fan of the DMR drone, its a simple set up with ok components! singlespeed, rigid forks, so would probably do the job for you!

Identiti 666s are again ok but as far as im aware quiet abit more money? Kona dirt jump series are all good bikes come set with gear and an entry level marzocchi suspension fork so not bad if youve got abit more money to add for possibly a more comfortable ride.

You may want to also look at specialized, ive got a 05 p2 and is really nice bike to ride... i have ridden the new ones which are also nice bikes. The 08s may be abit out of your price range? But if you have a specialized dealer by you then maybe go and have a word see if they can get there hands on an 07 for you which normally come with about £100 off as they are older models.

Cheers

[Muel]

well if you want a bike with gears

i would go for a onza zoot

chewitt

It says quite clearly he doesn't want a specific trials bike, but more of a jump bike.

I had a Scott YZ0, which was not bad at all, but the geo was too slack for jumps, park and street, but it came into it's own on 4X.

[chudders22]

Its a tough choice picking a bike in that price range, because there are some really great bikes.

The only real way to know which bike is going to be best is if he can get a ride on them, but i know that's not always

the easiest thing to organise. But in my opinion the Kona is a great base, is has a solid frame, and most of the components

are pretty tough, although some lack some of the strength, because of the budget (i.e. rear mech). Having never ridden the

Scott i cannot comment on it as such, but i know that they are highly recommended. Personally i ride a 24Seven, and i love it

to pieces, admittedly mine cost quite a bit more than your budget, but the frame is brilliant.

If you are open to the idea of "building" a bike, whether by yourself or a local bike shop. Then i would recommend it. 24Sevens

ebay shop has a great frame and crank deal, Link.

If you went with a rigid setup you could quite happily build a bike within that budget, but a suspension fork would push it above.

The advantage of this is that you tend to build a bike that last longer in the long run, but it does mean paying a premium.

So to round it up, try and get a go on the bikes, as it is all personal preference really. If for the mean time you don't think the

levels of abuse will be too high than a standard shop build will be perfect. But if you do remain open to the idea of building a bike,

then shop around because you can often get some great deals on last years models, same as the bikes. Like this norco Link

[Zain]

Update

Evans have just knocked £50 off Scott YZ15, from £449 to £399. So I've booked in a test ride this weekend.

Thanks again for all your input

[Jake Beach]

i im 12 and i got a 2008 onza t-comp( as the name suggests) i got it from cyclelane .com on special offer at £450 down from £550 i'm sure it's still on special offer

[Monty Man Sam]

My friend has a scott YZ and it has lasted him a long time and if he gets the white one that would look mint.

[davey1991]

I myself own a specialized jump bike and have been riding for many years, the best bike out of the lot is the identiti 666, it has some very high grade parts, halo combat wheels, Gusset lil git stem and open prison bars, gusset crank and ok tektro disk brakes, not only is it an amazing bike for the money it is also very strong but suprisingly light, this bike is going to be my next investment after my onza t pro.

I really would consider the 666s, a specialized p1 07, cannondale chase, dmr drone or transition.

The best by far is the identiti 666s though.

[higgzGU!]

id go for the kona myself, they;re awesome bikes and pretty damn good value for money

hi there,

yeah as this guy said the kona's are amazing for value has to be said. Before me and my mates started up trials we done jump biking and i had gt chucker, Well i still have it (not good bike) i could never go out because it was always braking. 1 of my mates had a kona stuff and i loved it i used it for any big jump i was going for because of the smooth landing you got from it. It is also a really nice bike to ride on the street from nipping to the shop and back.

So i think that the kona stuff is for your son

Hope i helped

Craig

[Zain]

hi there,

yeah as this guy said the kona's are amazing for value has to be said. Before me and my mates started up trials we done jump biking and i had gt chucker, Well i still have it (not good bike) i could never go out because it was always braking. 1 of my mates had a kona stuff and i loved it i used it for any big jump i was going for because of the smooth landing you got from it. It is also a really nice bike to ride on the street from nipping to the shop and back.

So i think that the kona stuff is for your son

Hope i helped

Craig

Coincidence, I was just up-dating this thread and I read your post for the first time.

It just so happens I picked him up a 4 month old great condition 2008 Kona Stuff via ebay for £400

He's over the moon with it, and I must admit I'm a tad jealous too :$ About time I saved some of my own pennies for a Scott YZ0 or Cannondale Chase

Thanks