Took my 11 year old son to the LBS today. Tried on some bikes since he outgrew his 20" Cleary Owl. He's 4'9" w/ 29" inseam and seems to fit the Small MTB in either 26" or 27.5" tires. We live in PNW near a bunch of forest trails, nothing mega extreme but I'm thinking of getting a bike and joining in too. I didn't plan to spend this much but since the bike should last 4-5 years it's not too bad?
He tried:
Giant Talon 2 (Small, 27.5") $750
https://www.giant-bicycles.com/us/talon-2-2022
Giant STP (Small, 26") $1150
https://www.giant-bicycles.com/us/stp-26
He loved the STP and really liked the Talon. Not sure I wanna drop $1150 though. How would you compare those 2 to any of these others I found online?
Specialized Fuse 27.5" $950
https://www.specialized.com/us/en/fuse-275/p/199942
Specialized Rockhopper Comp 27.5" $775
https://www.specialized.com/us/en/rockhopper-comp-275/p/199587
Marlin 6 Gen 3 27.5" $850
https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en_US/bikes/mountain-bikes/cross-country-mountain-bikes/marlin/marlin-6-gen-3/p/36966/
I saw some cheaper Rockhoppers but I prefer the 1*n gearing than 2*n (possibly for no good reason, I just hated multiple front gears as a kid).
Any thoughts? Anything else I should look at?
This is trash?
https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/gravity/hd-trail-275-hydraulic-disc-brake-mtb.htm
by el_cul
2 Comments
I’d go with any of those 27.5 options … You’re making the right call with the drivetrain too, stick with a 1x, no need for a front derailleur and they’re outdated.
26 is outdated too, there’s not many out there anymore, so while it’s not impossible or anything, it’ll take extra work on your part to find compatible parts when needed. Plus, he could shoot up to 5’4 almost overnight, so he probably won’t like it as much as he does now.
As far as you’re bike options, they’re 1x and 27.5, good for beginners and from reputable brands. You built a solid list to choose from, and we can chime in with what we like best, but you’ve done good up to this point so I’d go with whichever one your son likes best.
I went with the 27.5” marlin 8 for my son. The 1x Drivetrain has been perfect for him.
He’s also pretty skinny and the Marlin 8 came with an air fork which actually adjusts to his weight and was key to him actually having an enjoyable ride in rough stuff. Those cheap coil forks just plain suck for kids.