Time to buy a new bike for my 6 and 8 year olds.

Any brand recommendations etc? Wal-mart bikes or spend more money ? Etc ? I have no problem spending more for quality/etc but I am not buying my kid a $1000 bike either....

Thanks

Hard decision, like you said, don't want to overspend if it's something they won't use for a long time. At those ages they will grow and need a new one soon. I would recommend your local bike shop more than department stores because they have pros that can help get the right fit which is one of the most important things. I like trek personally, but the base model bikes for most of the big brands are very similar.

Avoid suspension, 6/8 year olds don't need it and it will just add weight and cost. Same with 60 million gears, they use about 5. A heavy bike or one that breaks easily will make anyone lose interest fast. I've had many bikes from expensive suspended mountain bikes to dirt cheap steel single speed roadies. The fit, control, weight and quality make the ride and keep me going.

Kids love the freedom of having their own wheels and leaving you behind.

You can't go wrong with the Specialized 20" Hotrock Coaster brake model. Runs about $250 & will last forever.

Specialized Bicycle Components

My rugrats love Piranha & Diamondback if you're looking for a BMX. Sturdy & affordable. Look for Piranha on Amazon or Diamondback at Dick's Sporting Goods.

I'll second not needing suspension or spending too much. That Specialized looks like a good bike and they have a great reputation. When I was that age I had a Schwinn, but I believe they're owned by wal mart now

Either the Specialized or an aluminum Trek like the kids' FX. My kids have used both and they're quality with decent resale value when they outgrow them. DO NOT go to a big box store for a bicycle.

I'll second the specialized kids bikes. They will last and most importantly they are way lighter than a Walmart bike. Your kid will be able to ride it much better than a cheap bike. This will result in them wanting to ride it more.

I bought the 20" ($250ish)for my 7 year old a few years ago. He moved up to the 24" ($380) when he was ten. The 20" was passed to my second son and will be passed on to my daughter, it is still in perfect shape. Unfortunately the 24" Specialized was stolen, we replaced it with a 24" Cannondale mountain bike which is also great, but slightly more expensive ($450ish).

I also highly recommend the strider for young kids (3 to 4 year olds). It has no pedals and they really learn how to balance. I used this with my second son. He rode that thing for about six months. Then one day I put him on a bike with no training wheels, gave him a quick push and he was riding fine on his first attempt.

I wouldn't spend alot. They will outgrow them too fast.

Support your local bike shop vs. going to Walmart, if you have a local bike shop. You may be able to work out a trade in/swap when the kids outgrow these bikes, on their next bikes, if you work that angle.

Yes, you may pay more at a bike shop than at Walmart, but you will also be supporting your local economy vs. China's. (and yes, I know some small bike shops also sell cheap bikes made in China). But, you will also make a friend of the shop owner, who can then fix your kid's flats when you are out of town, if you can talk your wife into putting the bike in her car to bring it to the shop.

You might as well pick one up for yourself while you are there, and the wife, so all 4 of you can go on rides.

If you want the shop quality without the shop cost consider one of the brands mentioned above in a used bike. Kids grow like weeds and quality bikes in that size range are pretty easy to find lightly used and in great shape.