Buying my kid a new bike and trying to decide between these two options. He's 4'6" but kind of skinny and not particularly strong/athletic. He exclusively bikes on paved roads, sometimes doing things like kids triathlon events where he has to switch to and from the bike quickly on his own.
The store owner suggested two options: a 27.5" Trek Marlin which is a full mountain bike, or a 24" Woom 5.
The trek is heavier (~30lbs I think), and will last him longer as he grows (the seat is now close to the lowest setting). But the weight is a little concerning because he's kind of clumsy and it's hard for him to maneuver when he's off the bike.
The woom is much lighter and seems more manageable now and he says feels more comfortable on it, but the seat is already 50-70% raised, so he'll grow out of it quickly.
The store owner and my wife think the trek fits him better and will last longer. But it seems really big to me and maybe hard for him to be fully comfortable with.
by GodelianKnot
10 Comments
On 1 hand that first bike looks like it fits best, but if they’re almost 5 feet at 8 they’re gonna grow fast. Tough call
The trek. It’s a bit big now but nothing he won’t grow into and learn in a couple of months.
If you’re never gonna mountain bike and your boy will be in the neighborhood and doing mini tris then you should see about ordering an FX step through. A small has the same starting height as the marlin but has better on road gearing meaning he’s gonna get to go faster easier which is both fun for kids and better for the events you’ve got him in. If you don’t like that idea get the trek and try having a little more confidence in your kids ability to handle 30lbs and more confidence in the Shop owner who is probably had to sell more small bikes to Wimpy parents then you wanna know
Why not the Woom 6 for a more direct comparison?
Get the trek
I’d go with the trek or go up in size on the woom. Bike store owner is comparing apples to oranges. If you had a trek at 24” tires it’d look same as the woom 5. Fact that the kid is growing like a weed, the trek in a few months will look better.
I’m surprised the shop didn’t suggest the KHS Grit 55 in XX Small
https://www.bicycleworldny.com/product/khs-grit-55-390538-1.htm
Definitely the Trek. They grow so fast. 27.5 wheels are a much easier ride compared to 24”.
Presuming you’re in the northern hemisphere, chances are he isn’t going to ride much for the next couple of months. Usually getting a kid on an unwieldy bike is a bad idea, but he very well might have another couple inches on him by the time he starts riding in the spring
For your kid? I’d definitely go with the bigger frame/size of the two, which seems to be the Trek. I got my kiddo a Small Marlin last year, and we’ve already moved the seat up a couple times. I think he’s got one more year on it, maybe two….they really do grow so freaking fast!