This is it, the best mountain bike for the money – the Trek 3700. I was for a long time a Specialized bike guy, but they became too clunky and expensive. Then I purchased a used (practically new) one of these off Craigslist for my son.

It has everything you need, it looks cool and it has good components for the money. New ones are $300 (I just bought a second one for my other son). Above $300 is too much bike for a kid, below it is dept store level. Best bike store that I know of is Milford Bike off Rt. 16 in Milford (MA). Very nice people, everyone I know is happy with them.  I don’t take spending $300 lightly, but I figured they can keep the bike through college and when out on semi-tough rides, they don’t have to worry about breakage. It’s like driving a Honda.

My view on bikes – don’t spend any money at all on a good bike until they move into a 26″ tire size one. They grow too fast and at a young age, they are reckless. Stay on the 24″ tire size bike until your child can handle a 26″ tire size bike with a 15 or 16″ frame. Don’t get a 26″ tire size bike with a 13″ frame, they’ll grow out of that. Age 10-11 is approximately the time they can move up.

Always carry an emergency kit that includes spare tube, pump, allen wrenches, an adjustable wrench, screwdriver, some wire, tape, patches, bandaids, and a chain repair tool. Put in a small seat bag. Makes for a worthwhile birthday or Christmas present.

See a tricked out version after the jump: