Have questions or want to discuss cycling? Join Now or Sign In to participate in the BikeRide community.

New: Take Part in the October Giveaway to Win the Qiolor TIGER Retro Electric Bike


Suspension fork for kids bike, is it worth it?
#1
Hi guys, we are considering to get mountain bike for my little nephew who's turning six in couple weeks. He's quite a spicy boy with a taste for action. We have found some nice options with either front suspension or simple rigid fork with no suspension. Asking for advice - are those suspension forks worth it for a young kids bike?

Thanks,
Marco
  Reply
#2
(07-22-2019, 05:16 PM)MamboNumber5 Wrote:  Hi guys, we are considering to get mountain bike for my little nephew who's turning six in couple weeks. He's quite a spicy boy with a taste for action. We have found some nice options with either front suspension or simple rigid fork with no suspension. Asking for advice - are those suspension forks worth it for a young kids bike?

Thanks,
Marco

Honestly, I don't see a real need for a suspension fork on kids bike until he/she reaches +/- 10y. Extra weight, price ..
  Reply
#3
(07-22-2019, 05:16 PM)MamboNumber5 Wrote:  Hi guys, we are considering to get mountain bike for my little nephew who's turning six in couple weeks. He's quite a spicy boy with a taste for action. We have found some nice options with either front suspension or simple rigid fork with no suspension. Asking for advice - are those suspension forks worth it for a young kids bike?

Thanks,
Marco

I hope you are aiming for 20" wheel bike? That's the right fit for a six year old if you want the bike to fit him for at least couple years, kids can outgrow bikes very fast.

My opinion: wouldn't really focus on the suspension, his next bike (age 10+) will introduce that Smile I doubt kids truly appreciate such forks, although they might be 'cooler' that the rigid ones.
Autobahn
  Reply
#4
And add to this that small suspension forks are... crap. No other word for that. They are heavy and don't work. Not as a real suspension fork anyway, they merely help to filter out rough roads. Plus kids of that size and weight actually would not benefit from that anyway, they are too lightweight. Go with wider tyres and lower pressure, this achieves pretty much the same.

And the kid might also learn some bike handling skills, how to correctly drive over a curbstone etc.
  Reply
#5
(07-26-2019, 03:20 AM)Joe_W Wrote:  And add to this that small suspension forks are... crap. No other word for that. They are heavy and don't work. Not as a real suspension fork anyway, they merely help to filter out rough roads. Plus kids of that size and weight actually would not benefit from that anyway, they are too lightweight. Go with wider tyres and lower pressure, this achieves pretty much the same.

And the kid might also learn some bike handling skills, how to correctly drive over a curbstone etc.

Yes, I have heard that the quality of those kids' bike suspension forks is very questionable. Well, can understand some reasoning behind it as these bikes are typically not designed to really smash those trails, endure crazy rides or last for years.
Autobahn
  Reply
#6
Thanks guys, I appreciate all the opinions. No suspension is the indisputable winner also in our household.
  Reply


Possibly Related Threads...
Thread
Author
Replies
Views
Last Post
 
2,842
06-01-2021, 07:09 PM
Last Post: Barrett
 
19,861
05-06-2011, 03:34 PM
Last Post: JohnV
 
12,515
10-16-2008, 12:42 PM
Last Post: neex

Forum Jump:

[-]
10 Latest Posts
Trek domane tyre
Today 05:07 PM
Greetings!
Today 04:39 PM
Peugeot Nouveau Folder
Today 04:34 PM
Great UK Cycle Camping Map, For E-Bikes,...
Today 12:04 PM
Community Discussion Cycling Myths
Yesterday 09:05 PM
Cycling is Anti-Aging, But There's a Cat...
Yesterday 06:51 PM
Tasmania! Anyone ridden here?
Yesterday 05:15 PM
Do you plan or random ride your MTB ride...
Yesterday 05:09 PM
Giant Talon 1,2,3 or 4? Recommendations
Yesterday 05:05 PM
Bicycle enthusiast located in California
11-06-2024 10:09 PM

[-]
Join BikeRide on Strava
Feel free to join if you are on Strava: www.strava.com/clubs/bikeridecom

[-]
Top 5 Posters This Month
no avatar 1. enkei
20 posts
no avatar 2. GirishH
19 posts
no avatar 3. Jesper
16 posts
no avatar 4. Flowrider
15 posts
no avatar 5. Talha
10 posts