Irondan wrote:Squire wrote:I love this.

The ever-exciting spammer or not spammer question.
Sorry for not helping out with any advice.
I'm still not convinced that this isn't an attempt at spamming the forum but I'll give the OP the benefit of the doubt.... For now....
Anytime a first time poster links a product, for whatever reason, to a topic it's almost always spam. This would be the first time that it wasn't in my time as a mod.
I would never, ever spend $500 on an 8 year olds bike, ever! Are you kidding me? Even if I could afford it (which I can) I still would never plunk down that much money on a bike that they would and could not appreciate it for what it is. Not to mention running a risk of someone stealing it from them or they get scared after riding it once and never riding it again. I don't know, to me it just seems a bit extravagant but others may disagree and that's okay...
As you've explicitly permitted disagreement, let me oblige
If it's not a major burden on your budget, I'm absolutely fine with spending $500 and more on a kids' bike, for a kid who is likely to ride it. The differences in geo, weight and quality of kit you get on the better bikes (for instance Canyon, Commencal, Islabikes, Early rider) are well worth it IMO. Extravagant maybe, but I know lots of people who aren't well off who routinely blow $100+ on booze and meals in a weekend.
As long as it isn't stolen or lost, it probably won't even cost that much more than the $200 bike in the long run, as good kids bikes are scarce and highly sought after on the second hand market. The $200 bike with Frozen stickers on the other hand is worth zilch the moment the stickers peel or some other princess is in fashion.