Anybody out there have any experience of this bike. I'm looking at the 2003 model for my 8 year old to carry him through to 11.

The spec looks reasonable but I'm concerned about the additional weight of the rear sus.

Had a look at the 2003 Trk 240 but thought it was a bit heavy. What about the aluminium Specialised 24" hotrock.

All input on kids bikes gratefully received.

There was a thread on this subject a week or two back. General consensus was don't bother with Full sus. Heavy and unlikely to work well. Options where 3 in number.

1) BMX - I'm buying one for my 8 year old fairly light, strong, simple. Also can grow with him well until he's big enough for a 26" wheeled bike.

2) 24" Geared Hardtail. Get a small alloy frame and again has potential to grow with the child. Feeling was it would roll better than the BMX but the wheels may make it too big ( depending on the size of the child ). Also a more expensive option than a BMX.

3) Naturally you could go SS 24".

Personally I like the idea of Single speed as kids bikes tend to get abused and SS is stronger and more reliable.

this is another place where my patented 22 inch wheel would come in useful

Thanks for the input. My kid isn't into jumping but wants to ride around the woods at the back of the house and join Dad on XC rides when he gets a bit older. Sustrans was great from 2-8 but now I think that they would enjoy something more adventurous.

Weight of full sus is valid, but then I am Marin sus convert. If it works for me, doesn't it work for him?

What's this about a 22" wheel?

"Weight of full sus is valid, but then I am Marin sus convert. If it works for me, doesn't it work for him?"

No reason why full sus wouldn't work on a kids' bike, provided you're willing to spend the £700+ that worthwile full sus (of any size) costs.

"No reason why full sus wouldn't work on a kids' bike, provided you're willing to spend the £700+ that worthwile full sus (of any size) costs."
Indeed, anything cheaper is unlikely to work well (remember he's very lightso needs a very light shock/spring). Plus a hard tail probably teaches him more and on fatter tyres will give enough cushioning if he's finding the shocks too much.

Fair point. So Specialised or Trek?

Kids full sus bikes are heavy i know the famly that runs one of the local LBS as im a regular she asked me to cary a couple of new bikes in which were outside the shop the full sus thing she had weighed a tone my 26" steel hard tail is actually lighter. the main frame on kids bikes are generally aluminium front with plain gauge steel rear and an adult over coil. Front forks are generally nasty and heavy
Get him a hard tail and get him with a sprung seat post

Anyone have any idea how much these bikes weigh?

Typically 30lb - 35lb+, but I don't have specific figures for the 2 that you mention.

If anyone is interested, I contected Specialised and Scott and weights are as follows:

Scott G-zero - 29.5 lbs

Specialised Hotrock FS - 25.5

So, very similar to FS/Hardtail for adult bikes.

Scott had published weights to hand, but full credit to Specialized who put me through to the workshop and a mechanic put a bike on the scales there and then - thanks.

Still not an easy decision. Maybe tipping back to the Scott.