falling child (long vent of sorts)

[artifactos]

I vote platform pedals, too. Clipless and difficult trails will most likely discourage her from riding for "fun," especially if she's already doing it to please her dad. She will eventually see it as work, and that day will come faster if she has a few harsh falls riding clipless.

Let her push herself, rather than letting her father push her. If she requests harder trails or clipless pedals, let her try them.. but if she just wants to go out and ride for fun, she should be able to. She's only 8 years old! She's got DECADES to ride clipless or work her way up to harder trails, and she only has so many years for her bones to develop without extremely detrimental injuries.

[MartianDestiny]

Those little tiny bikes are enough of a disadvantage. They are heavy for their size, the little wheels just don't roll over stuff, and the gears are clumsy and often inferrior equipment.

There is of course good reason for all of that, so I don't fault the bikes.

But there's simply going to be hills she cannot make it up, logs she cannot make it over, etc. But she should be TRYING to make up up and over these things.

That's not going to happen clipless as she'll be trapped, not able to just drop a foot, etc. There will be a lot more walking if she's got clipless on her bike than if she didn't and it could make her skiddish of things she shouldn't be.

By all means, if she's comfortable enough on a bike to be getting used to clipless on a MUT or road ride, let her. Mountain biking is a whole nother animal. Stops won't be planned and you can't always keep your momentum.

I agree with you, and I mountain bike in clipless pedals (though some days I wonder why...)

A compromise would be to get her a good set of BMX or mountain bike pedals with the studs and an appropriate pair of shoes (designed to go with them, like skate shoes). This will negate a lot of the problems with standard flats (her feet will stick to the pedals as opposed to flying off). If you go this route though I highly recommend a good set of shin guards as the pedals will tear her up without them.

[kenyonchris]

Those little tiny bikes are enough of a disadvantage. They are heavy for their size, the little wheels just don't roll over stuff, and the gears are clumsy and often inferrior equipment.

There is of course good reason for all of that, so I don't fault the bikes.

Boy, you are right about that. Her little Fuji road bike is heavier than my F/S MTB, her MTB is even heavier. She has no concept of gearing, she has to stop to change gears. I kind of think the trail is premature for her at all except for the very easiest, smoothest little loops.