I feel the same way about my students and their iPhones!!

If I was a momma, I'd get my growing kiddo a surly or something that really holds its value so we can resell it when they outgrow it. I would totally spend some good $$$ on a kids bike. Especially if I thought they were really into it. Quality pays itself back, in my opinion. I hate seeing kids on cheap bikes that break. My students always tell me about their terrible crummy bikes that don't shift well or have issues. My cycling team kids always regret buying the lowest end road bike possible when their derailleur snaps off mid-climb.

Haha, I can just imagine a bunch of 15 year old/8th grade age boys in a bike $$$ pissing contest though. It's just how that age can be.