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Ibex Bicycles
Alpine 320K
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Submitted by
jason6767
a Cross Country Rider
from Rochester, NY
Date Reviewed: May 28, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Any | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$329.00 | | Purchased At: | Ibex online | | Strengths: | It's a real mountain bike! | | Weaknesses: | Shifter for front derailler is a little hard to operate for a 7 year-old | | Similar Products Used: | Various department store bikes | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | My son started riding the trails with me in the summer of '07. He was riding a Huffy BMX style bike and couldn't really climb hills with it (the bike was nearly as heavy as him!) He really enjoys ridding the trails, so this year I shelled out and got him the Ibex for his B-Day.
He couldn't be happier! This bike is exactly what he needed. It took about 2 weeks of riding around our neighborhood to get the hang of shifting and of using handbrakes. After that, we hit the trails. Thanks to the gears, he can now climb most hills and handle almost anything he dares to tackle.
I would, and do, recommend this bike to anyone looking for a real mountain bike for a kid. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ian
a Weekend Warrior
from San Mateo, ca, usa
Date Reviewed: December 4, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Local | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$299.00 | | Purchased At: | Ibex Direct | | Strengths: | Great bike - design and componentry | | Weaknesses: | None so far.... | | Similar Products Used: | Giant specialized, diamondback, plus the target walmart as a base comparison | | Bike Setup: | As is | | Bottom Line: | Great bike for the next level for the kids. We did the Target thing for the first years and that was fine for what it was - good basic chaep bikes to get started. Thee boys got right into the cycling thing but now they want more and this is the bike. I reviewed several others - specialized, giant etc but none came close to the design and componentry.
Highly recommended. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Niels Reimers
a Cross Country Rider
from Meadow Vista, CA
Date Reviewed: February 15, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Clementine, Hole in the Ground, Tahoe Rim | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$299.00 | | Purchased At: | www.ibexbikes.com | | Strengths: | Frame and components | | Weaknesses: | Hmm... wasn't available when I was a kid | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized, Giant | | Bike Setup: | As shipped, still has a kickstand | | Bottom Line: | First of all, I agree with everything said by the other reviewers. This is a real mountain bike and putting it together is not much harder than fixing a flat.
The real testimony comes from my kids. My kids (aged 5 and 8) have been riding for several years now and we're always trying out harder and harder trails. I've been disappointed in the bikes they have and started to look for new bikes to get them on. I was surprised at the garbage that is available for kids. It seems that many manufacturers believe that children need 30lb bikes with bad brakes, no front derailleur (or just a double), hard shifting and no suspension. It's no surprise that I don't run into more kids on the trails, I'd stay away too! Anyhow, thanks to the other reviewers here I found Ibex. A triple in the front, components from manufacturers I recognize, a 24" bike and a weight that is useful. I can be a gearhead just like the rest of you all here so after I ordered the bikes (a 320k for my 5 year old and a 440k for my 8 year old) I started getting fired up about how great they would be able to ride when the bikes arrived. Even with these high expectations, the bikes delivered more than I expected. My kids’ abilities and interest in riding have increased enormously. Hills that they previously would have walked up they are now riding, single track sections they are taking with much greater confidence and finesse than before. As a dad, and particularly a dad who wants to get out on the trails myself, it’s really exciting.
What it really comes down to is a decision that most of you reading this review have already made for yourself. You know that you will get more riding out of a nice bike than you will from a tank you but at Walmart. You’ll get more miles/dollar from one of these than you will from a lesser bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Andrew
a Weekend Warrior
from Wyoming
Date Reviewed: February 12, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$299.00 | | Purchased At: | ibexbikes.com | | Strengths: | A real mountain bike, just really small. Real, brand name componets. Better shifters and deraillerus than on some adult $400 bikes. Alumimun frame with replaceable derailleur hanger. Alloy rims. Quick release wheels front and rear. Great paint and graphics. Threadless headset. Nice seat. Well assembled from factory. | | Weaknesses: | The fork is so-so, but there isn't a big market for 20 inch suspension forks. Much better than ones on a WalMart bike. | | Similar Products Used: | None exist for this price. | | Bike Setup: | Stock. | | Bottom Line: | Better parts than name brand kids bikes. Cheaper than name brand kids bikes. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rick
a Cross Country Rider
from North St. Paul, MN
Date Reviewed: July 13, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Porcupine Rim | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$299.00 | | Purchased At: | IBEXBikes.com | | Strengths: | Quality, Quality, Quality. This is one cool little ride. | | Weaknesses: | None for a child's bike. | | Similar Products Used: | None | | Bike Setup: | Stock. | | Bottom Line: | I wanted to get my 6 year old son a Mt. Bike that would be quality and not to hard to handle weight wise. This was the only bike I found that fit the bill. I am amazed at how such a well put together bike can cost so little. Granted those who are not biking freaks will not understand how someone can say that about a 300.00 child's bike.
I read the reviews on this bike and I must admit that I was a bit unsure of how I would feel when the bike arrived. I was not disappointed. I ride top end road and Mt. bikes and this little bike amazed me.
My 6 year old son loves it. He wants to ride all the time and is constantly begging me to take him to dirt trails. Those of us who grew up biking and continued it into our adult years know how big a thrill it is to have our children share riding with us. I am grateful that there is a company out there like IBEX that believed there were people who would want quality bikes for their children.
My only minor snit with IBEX is that the company does not indicate anywhere (that I can find) on the IBEX site where the frame is made. I am guessing China as the box had "Made in China" printed on it. If this is the case, China has some really quality frame builders. This little bike has really nice welds.
If you are a bike snob like myself and you have a child who is ready for their first Mt. Bike, you owe it to your child to check this company out. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
DeeZee
a Weekend Warrior
from OC Cal
Date Reviewed: July 7, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Holy Jim | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$299.00 | | Purchased At: | Ibex Direct | | Strengths: | Quality for the price | | Weaknesses: | None compared to other Kids bikes | | Similar Products Used: | Trek, Fisher, Giant, Specialized, Diamondback | | Bike Setup: | Mostly stock wit ha few changes | | Bottom Line: | Spent one Saturday going to different bike shops checking out almost every kids bike available. Weighed them all and they were all about 27lbs with a single chain ring. Then I asked the MTBR community via the message boards what was the best 20” wheeled kids bike. Ibex was the clear winner. I was sold.
What a great company and product. I ordered the bike @ 4:30 Eastern time and it shipped that night!
It arrived in perfect condition and exceeded my expectations. This is a real bike and my 5 year old is fired up that he now has gears and can keep up with his older brother and me. Glad that we purchased a quality bike because it will be used my 1 year old son (in four years).
Thanks Ibex!
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ryan Pickell
a Weekend Warrior
from Smyrna, TN, USA
Date Reviewed: June 17, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Hamilton Creek | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$299.00 | | Purchased At: | Ibexbikes.com | | Strengths: | Where to start. Shimano grip shift, sun crank, lat pull brakes, 21 speeds, 20 inch tires on a 10 inch frame, 23.5 lbs...LIGHT! Intuitive for the kids, standard size components, replaceable rear derailer hanger, quick relesase hubs, seatpost, cane creek headset. | | Weaknesses: | NONE | | Similar Products Used: | chain store | | Bike Setup: | stock | | Bottom Line: | My son is small for a 5 year old, 40 lbs, 3.5 feet tall, 19 inch inseam. so I thought he would be a while growing into it. NOT! He hopped right on and started flying. He keeps up with me on most trails. The stuff I pull off my bike will fit on his! This is not a toy, this is a shrunk mountain bike! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Eric
a Weekend Warrior
from Korea
Date Reviewed: June 10, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Any that lead away from work! | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$299.00 | | Purchased At: | IBEX.COM | | Strengths: | Complete package! Size is perfect for my 7yo daughter. | | Weaknesses: | None | | Similar Products Used: | Many single-speed kids bikes. | | Bike Setup: | Factory fresh with lights, bell & bottle holder. | | Bottom Line: | Outstanding value from a great company. My little girl loves to ride and now she has a great bicycle to do it on. Well built and will definitely be a hand-me-down for my son in a year or so when my daughter moves up to the 440. Ibex is a great bike company and their online service and ability to cheaply send a bike through the USPS was only way for me to get a bike delivered to my duty station in Korea. Easy to put together and a bike I'm proud of my daughter to ride. P.S. I now own 3 Ibex bikes... this is how good they are! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jasmin
a Weekend Warrior
from Sunnyvale, CA
Date Reviewed: October 3, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$289.00 | | Purchased At: | ibexbikes.com | | Strengths: | After looking for a good 20" kids hard tail MTB bike, finally decided to get Ibex 320K for my 6 yr old sun. We tried couple other bikes, but they either had cheap components, were too heavy or didn't fit my son. So, unless you want to build a custom bike, check this one. Ibex designers really made a bike that is for kids who want to ride off road. Imagine that you shrink adult MTB. | | Weaknesses: | Bike does not come with kickstand and rear derailleur guard. Kids can be rough with bikes.
| | Similar Products Used: | We tried couple bikes, ranked here:
1. Scott Racing Jr 20", sold at REI, high quality, has the same Grind fork as Ibex, Alivio derailleurs, 21 speed, only 25.5 lbs, but the flat handlebar is too far for kids hands. We tried to push the seat forward, put shorter stem, but wasn't enough. Also, no kickstand and derailleur guard.
2. Specialized Hotrock 20" - great looking in red, 26.3 lbs, average components, 6 speed. Probably the best choice at local bike shops.
3. Novara Kids MTB 20" - sold at REI, bellow average components, 6 speed, 27.5 lbs.
4. Raleigh Rowdy - sold at LBS. 6 speed ,bellow average components. This is a puzzle - they made aluminum kids bike that is 29.5 lbs, heavier than adult MTBs.
| | Bike Setup: | Stock, added alloy kickstand, bottle cage and bell ring. | | Bottom Line: | Overall, the best 20" hard tail bike you can buy.
Do not be afraid of buying online from Ibex - bikes come adjusted, all you need to do is: 1. mount handlebar, 2. mount front wheel, 3. install pedals, 4. install front reflector
5. mount seat. Then pump tires and your kid will enjoy!!!
Peformance: my son can get 12 mph on dirt road and 15 mph on paved flat road, also delighted that he can climb up the hill and make moderate jumps. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steve & Michelle
a Weekend Warrior
from Renton, WA
Date Reviewed: September 10, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Sun Top | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$300.00 | | Purchased At: | Ibex | | Strengths: | As the other reviewers have stated, this is a REAL mt.bike, scaled down for kids. Our 5 yr. old is riding root and rock infested trails, doing some decent climbs, twisty sections, and LOVING IT! We have had a great time riding with him this summer. We adjusted the brake lever reach in a bit, so he can reach it more easily. We also loosened the front brake cable, after he launched himself over the bars on the first ride. (He probably was used to the relatively poor braking performance on his old bike, and grabbed them real hard.) | | Weaknesses: | None. | | Similar Products Used: | Novara 20" wheel youth mt. bike. | | Bottom Line: | If you and your child are serious about riding off-road, get the IBEX. It is the only 20" wheel production bike we have seen that has lightweight, quality components comparable to what is found on adult mt. bikes. Most people would not spend $300 for a child's bike - we justify it by not buying video games, candy, or fast food. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
dr biker
a Cross Country Rider
from Lexington
Date Reviewed: September 9, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Buckskin at Cave Run Lake | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$289.00 | | Purchased At: | ibexbikes.com | | Strengths: | Geometry, components, weight, looks | | Weaknesses: | Triple up front can be confusing for some kids | | Similar Products Used: | Trek, Specialized, Giant, Gary Fisher | | Bike Setup: | Stock, see ibexbikes.com. I keep the tire pressure really low so that my 6 year old doesn't bounce around so much on the trail and then pump them up for road/neighborhood riding. | | Bottom Line: | This is the only real 20" mountain bike I could find. It is incredibly good quality for the price. Your kid can not tear it up. My 6 year old is loving this bike. His brother has the 24" Alpine 440, which is also an incredible bike. I don't know why other manufacturers don't make good bikes for kids this size and in this price range. Highly recommended. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ken Woeste
a Cross Country Rider
from Longmont, CO, USA
Date Reviewed: September 6, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Rock Lake, WI | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$300.00 | | Purchased At: | IBEX.com | | Strengths: | Light weight, quality components (triple chain rings, threadless headset, sealed bottom bracket, etc). Excellent build quality. Bike fits child, like a top quality XC Racer should fit an adult, outstanding! | | Weaknesses: | None. | | Similar Products Used: | Gary Fisher, Trek, Specialized. | | Bike Setup: | Stock (see IBEX.com for spec.'s) | | Bottom Line: | If you are looking to buy a "real" mountain bike for your child, look no further. The products offered by the major manufactures don't even begin to compare. This bike is trail ready, whereas most other bikes in this class are more suited for bike paths. As an added plus, my son's Candy Apple Green IBEX is pure eye candy and draws comments wherever we go. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
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