All of them are good bikes and will get the job done, so it comes down to feel. So get the one that he is the most comfortable on, not the one with the best parts or the best deal. Last thing you need is a complaining 12 year old 
need some help looking for a bike for my 12 year old son
I have been looking for a bike for my 12 year old son we have looked at
trek 3900
hardrock
Cannondale f9- f8
GT Avalanche 2.0
Novara bonaza
Is anyone of these better than the other the I kinda ruled out the cannondale trek and the hardrock because I can get an 2008 Gt Avalanche 2.0 disc for 375.00 new
today we looked at the Novara bonaza and its only 469.00 and it looks like it has good stuff on it Sram X5 and disc breaks
Specification Description
Frame Aluminum 6061
Fork Rock Shox Dart 1, 100mm travel
Crankset Truvativ Blaze 42/32/22
Bottom bracket Truvativ PowerSpline
Shifters SRAM X5
Front derailleur SRAM X5
Rear derailleur SRAM X5
Rear cogs SRAM PG-950 11/34, 9-speed
Brakes Tektro Aquila mechanical disc
Brake levers Avid FR5
Rims WTB SX24
Front hub Formula Alloy Disc
Rear hub Formula Alloy Disc
Tires WTB MotoRaptor 26x2.14
Handlebar Truvativ LE Riserbar
Stem Truvativ XR 3D
Seat post Truvativ XR micro-adjust
Saddle WTB Speed V Comp
Pedals Alloy platform
Headset Integrated semi-cartridge
Chain SRAM PC 950
GT Avalanche 2.0 disc 2008 375.00
BOTTOM BRACKET: Shimano Octalink Cartridge Sealed
HEADSET: Tange Seiki System, 1 1/8"
Tange Seiki System, 1 1/8”
BRAKES: Tektro Aquila Mechanical Disc
CASSETTE: Shimano, 11/32T, 8-speed
CHAIN: KMC IG-31
CRANKSET: Shimano FC-M311 Octalink, 42/32/22T
FORK: Suntour XCR-LO Hydraulic, 100mm travel, Chromoly 30mm stanchions, Magnesium lowers, preload adjust and lockout
FRAME: GT Triple Triangle 6061 Butted Aluminum w/ Hydroformed Downtube
FRONT DERAILLEUR: Shimano M-330
GRIPS/TAPE: GT Dual Density ATB
HANDLEBAR: 20mm Aluminum Riser Bar, 6 degree bend, Anatomically Sized
LEVERS: Alloy w/ Reach Adjust
PEDALS: ATB Resin body, Steel cage, Toe Clip compatible
REAR DERAILLEUR: Shimano Deore M-531 Lo Normal
REAR SHOCK: NA
SADDLE: WTB Speed V
SEATPOST: Alloy Micro-Adjust
SHIFTERS: Shimano Alivio RapidFire, 8-speed
STEM: GT ATB Threadless, 10 degree rise, 4-bolt Aluminum faceplate
TIRES: Kenda Nevegal, 26 x 2.1
WHEELSET: Rims: Alloy Double Wall ATB; Front Hub: Alloy QR for Disc; Rear Hub: Shimano QR for Disc w/ cassette
Thanks Tim
trek 3900
hardrock
Cannondale f9- f8
GT Avalanche 2.0
Novara bonaza
Is anyone of these better than the other the I kinda ruled out the cannondale trek and the hardrock because I can get an 2008 Gt Avalanche 2.0 disc for 375.00 new
today we looked at the Novara bonaza and its only 469.00 and it looks like it has good stuff on it Sram X5 and disc breaks
Specification Description
Frame Aluminum 6061
Fork Rock Shox Dart 1, 100mm travel
Crankset Truvativ Blaze 42/32/22
Bottom bracket Truvativ PowerSpline
Shifters SRAM X5
Front derailleur SRAM X5
Rear derailleur SRAM X5
Rear cogs SRAM PG-950 11/34, 9-speed
Brakes Tektro Aquila mechanical disc
Brake levers Avid FR5
Rims WTB SX24
Front hub Formula Alloy Disc
Rear hub Formula Alloy Disc
Tires WTB MotoRaptor 26x2.14
Handlebar Truvativ LE Riserbar
Stem Truvativ XR 3D
Seat post Truvativ XR micro-adjust
Saddle WTB Speed V Comp
Pedals Alloy platform
Headset Integrated semi-cartridge
Chain SRAM PC 950
GT Avalanche 2.0 disc 2008 375.00
BOTTOM BRACKET: Shimano Octalink Cartridge Sealed
HEADSET: Tange Seiki System, 1 1/8"
Tange Seiki System, 1 1/8”
BRAKES: Tektro Aquila Mechanical Disc
CASSETTE: Shimano, 11/32T, 8-speed
CHAIN: KMC IG-31
CRANKSET: Shimano FC-M311 Octalink, 42/32/22T
FORK: Suntour XCR-LO Hydraulic, 100mm travel, Chromoly 30mm stanchions, Magnesium lowers, preload adjust and lockout
FRAME: GT Triple Triangle 6061 Butted Aluminum w/ Hydroformed Downtube
FRONT DERAILLEUR: Shimano M-330
GRIPS/TAPE: GT Dual Density ATB
HANDLEBAR: 20mm Aluminum Riser Bar, 6 degree bend, Anatomically Sized
LEVERS: Alloy w/ Reach Adjust
PEDALS: ATB Resin body, Steel cage, Toe Clip compatible
REAR DERAILLEUR: Shimano Deore M-531 Lo Normal
REAR SHOCK: NA
SADDLE: WTB Speed V
SEATPOST: Alloy Micro-Adjust
SHIFTERS: Shimano Alivio RapidFire, 8-speed
STEM: GT ATB Threadless, 10 degree rise, 4-bolt Aluminum faceplate
TIRES: Kenda Nevegal, 26 x 2.1
WHEELSET: Rims: Alloy Double Wall ATB; Front Hub: Alloy QR for Disc; Rear Hub: Shimano QR for Disc w/ cassette
Thanks Tim
1 - 7 of 7 Posts
yup, let him ride them. Hide the price tags and let him decide based on how he feels on them.
You want a new bige for your son?
Best advice, although even if you do hide the price tags, not many 12 year olds will be considerate enough to say "Oh, wow, I like this bike the best, but it's too expensive so I won't ask."All of them are good bikes and will get the job done, so it comes down to feel. So get the one that he is the most comfortable on, not the one with the best parts or the best deal. Last thing you need is a complaining 12 year old
Hence hiding the price tags. My experience has brought me to the conclusion, in that age range, that when confronted with two options that are very close they will choose the more expensive option just for that reason alone.
(this doesnt hold true for every child)
(this doesnt hold true for every child)
Having sold many bikes to parents (and bought them for my own kids) the best bet is to let him try them all, as others have said.
It may come down (for him) to something as simple as which one looks the best.
The compromise for you may be deciding to get a frame which fits well this summer, but may be a little small next year, or a frame which is a little large this year but fits great next year.
This is when a good LBS can help, we switched out stems, suggested frames with lower standover height, and sometimes taking a hint from the parent, really "upp''d" one model over another.
Good luck, I sold a shed load of Avalanches and Cannondales over the years and they are both tough little bikes but have also seen Treks take a tonne of abuse.
I have no experience of the Novarra.
Also consider the after sales service you get from the shop you buy from. Kids are tough on bikes and having a shop which will tune up gears, brakes and true up wheels for free and replace tires and brake pads which wear out from skids for minimal cost is worth the price of the bike all over again.
It may come down (for him) to something as simple as which one looks the best.
The compromise for you may be deciding to get a frame which fits well this summer, but may be a little small next year, or a frame which is a little large this year but fits great next year.
This is when a good LBS can help, we switched out stems, suggested frames with lower standover height, and sometimes taking a hint from the parent, really "upp''d" one model over another.
Good luck, I sold a shed load of Avalanches and Cannondales over the years and they are both tough little bikes but have also seen Treks take a tonne of abuse.
I have no experience of the Novarra.
Also consider the after sales service you get from the shop you buy from. Kids are tough on bikes and having a shop which will tune up gears, brakes and true up wheels for free and replace tires and brake pads which wear out from skids for minimal cost is worth the price of the bike all over again.
ok thanks guys
Tim
Tim
1 - 7 of 7 Posts
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