Anonymous wrote:Trek bike or check out the REI co-op bikes.

I started this search by looking at REI co-op but nothing returned for 26 inches. I think they are mostly smaller bikes.

Anonymous wrote:I would skip the Guardian. They are overpriced gimmicks.

Agreed

Trek bike or check out the REI co-op bikes.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would skip the Guardian. They are overpriced gimmicks.

Can you say more?

The braking system is a marketing gimmick and doesn’t develop proper technique for a young rider. They are heavy. They are expensive even though they compromise on features. My kid went from a balance bike with hand brakes to a pedal bike with hand brakes. No problems. Teach your kids the right way and all of this marketing nonsense does not matter. Lighter bikes make a difference for young riders. Patented braking systems not so much.

Anonymous wrote:10 year old should not ride a 26 inch bike. Go to the local bike shop and they will help with size. My 10 YO who is as tall as 14 YO rides a 24 inch bike. Don’t be a cheap skate

? We went to a local bike shop. The guy put her on a 24 and had her seat in the highest position. To us, that didn’t seem like a bike she could grow into—but quickly grow out of.

Anonymous wrote:I would skip the Guardian. They are overpriced gimmicks.

Can you say more?

Trek is easy do buy used and very easy to resell. To lesser extents, canondale and specialized. Then would be Fuji, REI coop, Bianchi, woom. Avoid bikes from Walmart and Target as their parts often cannot be serviced.

10 year old should not ride a 26 inch bike. Go to the local bike shop and they will help with size. My 10 YO who is as tall as 14 YO rides a 24 inch bike. Don’t be a cheap skate

My kids do a lot of mountain, cyclocross, and gravel biking. They have Trek or Cannondale mountain bikes. We buy them used and can usually get for under $400 until they need an adult size bike. For kids just biking around the neighborhood or doing the occasional family rail trail ride, something like a Nishiki bike from Dicks (basically a step up from Huffy) would be just fine and you could buy new and have a choice of colors.

My kids and I have Trek bikes. The employees at the store have been really helpful.

I would skip the Guardian. They are overpriced gimmicks.

Anonymous wrote:We have a guardian bike and it's fantastic

We have two and my kids love it, it's not too heavy, has some gears. I have ridden my older daughter's bike (around the street) and it's nice.

We have a guardian bike and it's fantastic

P.S. Guardian is all over my search results but I haven't heard of them and would love feedback.

DD needs a new bike. She's been using a 20-incher and has away outgrown it. I think she's ready for a 26. Can someone recommend a brand for her? Ideally 300-400 range, if possible. Thank you!