20" kid's MTB suggestions?

Howdy,

I am in the market for a 20" MTB style kid's bike. I am looking for
aluminum frame, 6 speeds or so, twist-shift, and ideally 10kg or less.

So far I like the Jamis Fester 20" the best. (They are updating their
site right now, so no link) I like the solid fork, the adjustable stem,
the "real" seatpost, and the seat looks pretty durable.

Another option is the Kona Makena. But this has a cheesy seatpost, not
as nice a seat, not as nice a stem, and a suspension fork. I think the
suspension fork just makes it heavier and certainly doesn't have any
dampening effect, so it's utility is dubious.

http://www.konaworld.com/shopping_ca...2&parentid=253

Any other suggestions for 20" MTB bikes? It is hilly enough around here
that multiple gears is a necessity, so BMX style bikes are out, since
my son now wants to come with me only longer trail rides than have so
far been possible with his single speed.

Joseph

wrote:
Howdy,

I am in the market for a 20" MTB style kid's bike. I am looking for
aluminum frame, 6 speeds or so, twist-shift, and ideally 10kg or less.

So far I like the Jamis Fester 20" the best. (They are updating their
site right now, so no link) I like the solid fork, the adjustable stem,
the "real" seatpost, and the seat looks pretty durable.

Another option is the Kona Makena. But this has a cheesy seatpost, not
as nice a seat, not as nice a stem, and a suspension fork. I think the
suspension fork just makes it heavier and certainly doesn't have any
dampening effect, so it's utility is dubious.

http://www.konaworld.com/shopping_ca...2&parentid=253

Any other suggestions for 20" MTB bikes? It is hilly enough around here
that multiple gears is a necessity, so BMX style bikes are out, since
my son now wants to come with me only longer trail rides than have so
far been possible with his single speed.

Joseph

The Jamis site is up now with the 2006 bikes, and the Fester 20" now
comes with a suspension fork. And it weighs 4lbs more than the old one!

Joseph

wrote:
wrote:
Howdy,

I am in the market for a 20" MTB style kid's bike. I am looking for
aluminum frame, 6 speeds or so, twist-shift, and ideally 10kg or
less.

So far I like the Jamis Fester 20" the best. (They are updating their
site right now, so no link) I like the solid fork, the adjustable
stem, the "real" seatpost, and the seat looks pretty durable.

Another option is the Kona Makena. But this has a cheesy seatpost,
not as nice a seat, not as nice a stem, and a suspension fork. I
think the suspension fork just makes it heavier and certainly
doesn't have any dampening effect, so it's utility is dubious.

http://www.konaworld.com/shopping_ca...2&parentid=253

Any other suggestions for 20" MTB bikes? It is hilly enough around
here that multiple gears is a necessity, so BMX style bikes are out,
since my son now wants to come with me only longer trail rides than
have so far been possible with his single speed.

Joseph

The Jamis site is up now with the 2006 bikes, and the Fester 20" now
comes with a suspension fork. And it weighs 4lbs more than the old
one!

Joseph

Keep in mind the Specialized Hotrock 20. Your local LBS's probably have
some 2005 models in stock on blowout for the Christmas season.
--
Phil, Squid-in-Training

Phil, Squid-in-Training wrote:
wrote:
wrote:
Howdy,

I am in the market for a 20" MTB style kid's bike. I am looking for
aluminum frame, 6 speeds or so, twist-shift, and ideally 10kg or
less.

So far I like the Jamis Fester 20" the best. (They are updating their
site right now, so no link) I like the solid fork, the adjustable
stem, the "real" seatpost, and the seat looks pretty durable.

Another option is the Kona Makena. But this has a cheesy seatpost,
not as nice a seat, not as nice a stem, and a suspension fork. I
think the suspension fork just makes it heavier and certainly
doesn't have any dampening effect, so it's utility is dubious.

http://www.konaworld.com/shopping_ca...2&parentid=253

Any other suggestions for 20" MTB bikes? It is hilly enough around
here that multiple gears is a necessity, so BMX style bikes are out,
since my son now wants to come with me only longer trail rides than
have so far been possible with his single speed.

Joseph

The Jamis site is up now with the 2006 bikes, and the Fester 20" now
comes with a suspension fork. And it weighs 4lbs more than the old
one!

Joseph

Keep in mind the Specialized Hotrock 20. Your local LBS's probably have
some 2005 models in stock on blowout for the Christmas season.
--
Phil, Squid-in-Training

The Norwegian importer doesn't seem to have imported the 20" version.
:-(

Joseph

Trek has a 20" 6 speed, its at
http://www2.trekbikes.com/bikes/bike...d=1578600&f=32


HTH,
matt.