Recommendation on kids' bike

[biker.caliente]

My son has outgrown his 20" and is ready for a new bike. I have either a 24" or a 26" XXS/XS that gives him room to grow in mind. He test-rode both the other day. Size-wise, 24" is spot-on and he loves it. He is a bit leery on a 26" XXS, although he isn't stretching it from what I see. Maybe he is just uncomfortable going from a 20" directly into a 26" frame.

However, he is not into trail riding and only likes to ride (with me) on paved surface, so I don't think getting a mountain bike with those cheap suspension will be a good idea. Not only they add weight and cost, but also could be a source of problem down the road. But just about every 24" or 26" we saw comes with those cheap shock absorbers and they are heavvvy. Some of them are even made with steel, instead of aluminum. I know what I am looking for do exist. Trek FX 24 is one of them based on my search on the internet.

Looking for some of your experience and insight. Also, appreciate if you know of any street bike in 24" or 26" with reasonable weight and no suspensions.

Thanks all in advance.

[ceolwulf]

How about the Felt 24" CX? http://m.feltbicycles.com/productcatalog/product/1/57715

[polyhistoric]

Look at 24" BMX - also known as "cruisers"

Typically lightweight and tossable - like a BMX - without all the added suspension, gears, etc. SE Racing Floval Flyer comes to mind.

[notoriousdjw]

Check out isla bikes (http://islabikes.com/us/index.html). They make only kids bikes and strike a good balance of price and weight. My neighbor bought one and the next bikes for my 4 and 6yo will probably come from them.

[ColnagoFan]

Check out these options maybe:
http://www.fujibikes.com/bike/details/absolute-24

http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bikes/kids/hotrock-boys/hotrock-24-21speed-street-boys

The Spesh has slightly wider tires I think, more "slick-tired, rigid MTB" whereas the Fuji is kind of a flatbar road bike...

[Dead Man]

I got my oldest a Conquest 24 for his 10th birthday.. he loved it

http://redlinebicycles.com/bikes/2014-conquest-24/

Mountain bike frame with road/CX components and wheelchair wheels

[p nut]

Look at 24" BMX - also known as "cruisers"


That's exactly what I was thinking. There are a ton of them for sale in my local classifieds and for good prices. At a growing stage, it would be best to minimize that expense if possible.

[jmoore]

My 9yo was between sizes in January and the LBS put him on a 26" adult bike. He was a bit stretched out and was nervous because he couldn't touch the ground when he was sitting on the seat and with all the gears. It took him about 3 minutes of riding around the block before he was over all that.

Get him the bigger bike. He'll grow into it in no time and you'll be able to sell it easier.

[Dead Man]

My 9yo was between sizes in January and the LBS put him on a 26" adult bike. He was a bit stretched out and was nervous because he couldn't touch the ground when he was sitting on the seat and with all the gears. It took him about 3 minutes of riding around the block before he was over all that.

Get him the bigger bike. He'll grow into it in no time and you'll be able to sell it easier.

Hah... yea, the not being able to touch the ground thing freaks 'em out. I made mine do some saddling exercises, and he was basically comfortable with it in about 5-10 minutes. Step up, sit down, step up, step down... repeat... repeat... repeat. Lo and behold, he did NOT fall over and break every bone in his body, and now gets on and off like a pro. Working on dis/re-mounts for cross, now...

[jmoore]

Hah... yea, the not being able to touch the ground thing freaks 'em out. I made mine do some saddling exercises, and he was basically comfortable with it in about 5-10 minutes. Step up, sit down, step up, step down... repeat... repeat... repeat. Lo and behold, he did NOT fall over and break every bone in his body, and now gets on and off like a pro. Working on dis/re-mounts for cross, now...

Amazing to see them progress for sure.

It won't be long before I get the old "come on dad, try and keep up" talk :D

Sent from my XT1058 using Tapatalk

[parris]

I've got a buddy who just went through this. He installed a shorter stem and has the original for when his son grows a bit. Fortunately that was about the extent of what he had to do.

[SlackMan]

How about the Felt 24" CX? http://m.feltbicycles.com/productcatalog/product/1/57715

Bought the road version of one of these for my 11-year old son. It's very high quality for a kid's bike. He put 18 miles on it today, and is enjoying it very much.

[Netdewt]

I want to ride with my kids too, but my oldest is 6 and isn't very fast. It's difficult to balance almost (need to practice my track stands), at the speeds we go while he's spinning as fast as he can on his 20" Hotrock. I'd love to have a tandem we both could ride, but $1500+ is a lot for a very occasional bike.

I think this thing is super cool, but also spendy, and I don't know if it would make him faster:

http://brimages.bikeboardmedia.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/Culprit-Junior-One-kids-aero-road-bike-riding01.jpg

http://www.culpritbicycles.com/page3/page13/index.php
http://www.bikerumor.com/2012/08/18/culprit-junior-kids-650b-aero-road-bikes-makes-small-fast/

[p nut]

I want to ride with my kids too, but my oldest is 6 and isn't very fast. It's difficult to balance almost (need to practice my track stands), at the speeds we go while he's spinning as fast as he can on his 20" Hotrock. I'd love to have a tandem we both could ride, but $1500+ is a lot for a very occasional bike.

I think this thing is super cool, but also spendy, and I don't know if it would make him faster:


I usually take my mountain bike or cruiser when heading out with the kids. They're geared really low, so makes it more tolerable. Big picture is, they are willing to ride bikes and time will come when they'll be waiting up for me.

[Netdewt]

Big picture is, they are willing to ride bikes and time will come when they'll be waiting up for me.

This is true. Maybe a reason to not go clipless on my rando bike.