Youth bikes again input....

[ultraman6970]

Summer pretty much is here... looking for a road bike for my kids, impossible to get two so looking for one right now, looking for here and there I narrowed it to two brands, both quite different but both have advantages upon the other one depending on how you look at it...funny thing, no pictures of kids using this bikes so bsides the websites pictures no clue.

- Diamondback podium 700c 42 cm (there is a 46)... besides the size i do not see like a lot of things that could attract me to this one besides the size the price and that easily I could transfer all the components (or upgrade it easily) to a larger frame when needed, 8 speed and giant shimano levers as usual... Nothing fancy at all in the components, kids are kids after all.

http://www.backcountry.com/diamondback-podium-700c-complete-road-bike-2016?s=a


- Raleigh RX24... this one is 24 inch, 1x10, sram apex stuff which no idea if its reliable or not. disc brakes because this thing is a CX bike, at least i have better specs than with the podium but since is 24 inches it could last less than the podium due to the size, no clue if I could transfer the things to a bigger frame... maybe I can, who knows.

http://www.raleighusa.com/rx24


Any input????

[achurch]

I just saw these at the Montreal bike show. NO idea how it compares to what you are looking at, but I thought they seemed pretty well thought out.

http://www.frogbikes.com/blog/?p=790

[VTCaraco]

I'd strongly recommend going second-hand.
In some cases, the kids don't actually use them (don't ask me how I know this) and the pricing can be MUCH better.

[Hilltopperny]

I started my daughter on a fuji ace 650c from Craigslist. It was a heavy kind of crappy road bike. Used it for one season and then sold it. Moves up to a 43cm wsd trek 1000 and she used it for a season and outgrew it. Ended up giving it to my sister in law after finding a like new Cannondale synapse wsd 47cm for $250 that was like new.
If you are going to buy new then I think the Raleigh and diamondback will end up being kind of similar. They are owned by the same company. I did own a Raleigh rx 2.0 for a season and it was a solid bike, but I bought it on closeout at my lbs. Good luck!

[VTCaraco]

I've noticed a really neat Redline Conquest 24 that was posted nearby for a long time. Looked super-clean and made me wish that I needed something like it.

In a search of the local craigslist posts, I couldn't find it. Maybe the seller finally moved it.

I don't recall where you live, Ultra, but here's a few from my general region:
https://vermont.craigslist.org/bik/5969353108.html
2009 Trek women's 1.2 racing cycle
....
1st $350 takes it.

https://hudsonvalley.craigslist.org/bik/5996091371.html
Youth Pinarello Road Bike - $350 (Rhinebeck)
Great first road bike to get your child cycling. It's been a great bike for my daughter, but she has outgrown it. Bike has less than 300 miles on it. Looks like new!


https://boston.craigslist.org/gbs/bik/6019115080.html (https://boston.craigslist.org/gbs/bik/6019115080.html)
Trek race bike ( short -medium ) 43 cm, 24 gears. - $475 (Cambridge)

If you know what you're looking for, I think you get a much better value going second-hand. A few years down the road you'll be able to sell it for essentially what you bought it for. To me, that's the biggest argument in favor of the second-hand route.

[ultraman6970]

Second had was the 1st option but havent find a 650 or a super small girls 700c because in price IMO are more convenient than a little 24inch one. Honestly I had a pair of 24s I pretty much would give them almost for nothing because obvious reasons to me... being the 1st one... as a parent unless you are a millionare is hard to get your money out of them once the kids doesnt need it, and that usually is like 2 summer tops? unless you have like 3 kids appart like 2 years from each other.

Remember had to bite the bullet in a charriot and a balancing bike because clearly those were hard sales, items used pretty much months, when I was looking for them I couldnt find one for the right price and you end up buying new ones because differences in prices were minimal (obviously people in the same spot trying to get the money back), at the end you have to bite that bullet and take the loss. Tiny road bikes the same :/

Curiously enough 650s and super small 700s at ebay are becoming really hard to find lately.

Never heard of frog bikes, thanks, will look at them.

[ultraman6970]

Hey thanks.... dc metro... you will puke from looking at the CL prices here, basically you can not buy bikes here at CL. I think for years people flipping and it got to a point that everybody that got "nailed" by those flippers are trying to get their money back and the result is what you can see listed.

Honestly prices you have over there up north are ok compared with here, dc/md/baltimore/nva... just crazy man.

I've noticed a really neat Redline Conquest 24 that was posted nearby for a long time. Looked super-clean and made me wish that I needed something like it.

In a search of the local craigslist posts, I couldn't find it. Maybe the seller finally moved it.

I don't recall where you live, Ultra, but here's a few from my general region:
https://vermont.craigslist.org/bik/5969353108.html
2009 Trek women's 1.2 racing cycle
....
1st $350 takes it.

https://hudsonvalley.craigslist.org/bik/5996091371.html
Youth Pinarello Road Bike - $350 (Rhinebeck)
Great first road bike to get your child cycling. It's been a great bike for my daughter, but she has outgrown it. Bike has less than 300 miles on it. Looks like new!


https://boston.craigslist.org/gbs/bik/6019115080.html (https://boston.craigslist.org/gbs/bik/6019115080.html)
Trek race bike ( short -medium ) 43 cm, 24 gears. - $475 (Cambridge)

If you know what you're looking for, I think you get a much better value going second-hand. A few years down the road you'll be able to sell it for essentially what you bought it for. To me, that's the biggest argument in favor of the second-hand route.

[pinkshogun]

I sold a Red line Conquest 24 locally and it was a very nice bike. Brifters, double wall rims, and semi knobby cross tires

[pdmtong]

Fit trumps everything. Do not put a kid in something too big or too small else the kid won't be comfortable and we all know how that feels on a bike - lousy

So buy used. Therese going to be a lot of bike churn with this approach but it will lead to a better experience for the rider. Don't worry about the components. None are stellar.

Buy that kdr1000 in the classifieds and then go ride

The next bike for us after that was a specialized 700c dolce 44cm and Santa Cruz Juliana size XS

[ultraman6970]

I have to recognize that IM thinking in that trek big time...

Looking at ebay I found this.... wonder if the dudes are actually making money out of the bikes....

http://www.ebay.com/itm/WOMENS-26INCH-CARBON-STEEL-ROAD-BIKE-RACING-BICYCLE-700C-21-SPEED-P3T2-/132066418162?var=&hash=item1ebfc59df2:m:mtWrftKv-pxO6O1380uBEDw

[Davist]

I have to recognize that IM thinking in that trek big time...

Looking at ebay I found this.... wonder if the dudes are actually making money out of the bikes....

http://www.ebay.com/itm/WOMENS-26INCH-CARBON-STEEL-ROAD-BIKE-RACING-BICYCLE-700C-21-SPEED-P3T2-/132066418162?var=&hash=item1ebfc59df2:m:mtWrftKv-pxO6O1380uBEDw

Did the left hand drive give it away?!.. :no: I like the CARBON steel... :banana:

[VTCaraco]

Fit trumps everything. Do not put a kid in something too big or too small else the kid won't be comfortable and we all know how that feels on a bike - lousy


My son grew so fast that he had no choice but to be more malleable on fit. And he rode a whole bunch was he was younger...too big in May and June, just right for July and Aug, then too small for the next spring before we'd do it again.

I've got a buddy that has picked up a number of bikes from police auctions knowing that his boys will fit them at some point.
Personally, I think that that's a more prudent shopping disposition for a growing child than making the fit a high priority. From seat posts to stems, I think you can do a fair bit to make it work within a range that wouldn't make sense for one of us.

[Roger M]

+one on buying used. Not very easy to find, but easier on the wallet. They'll outgrow it quickly.

I found this Cannondale for $100 on Craigslist.I think it's 43cm(38 c-c) It was a bit big last summer, but should be a good fit this year(& maybe next)

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff169/72tunaboat/f7e7d1c7-fa0c-465d-9549-e289239930d4.jpg

[pdmtong]

My son grew so fast that he had no choice but to be more malleable on fit. And he rode a whole bunch was he was younger...too big in May and June, just right for July and Aug, then too small for the next spring before we'd do it again.



I've got a buddy that has picked up a number of bikes from police auctions knowing that his boys will fit them at some point.

Personally, I think that that's a more prudent shopping disposition for a growing child than making the fit a high priority. From seat posts to stems, I think you can do a fair bit to make it work within a range that wouldn't make sense for one of us.



I did the former. When I felt I was within six months of the next size I went looking for it and bought it. So instead of adjusting with stems and posts we just churned bikes. After buy sell 14 bikes I was up net $500 life to date. Being in an area with active Craigslist helped a lot

At one point in between 20" and 24" sizes daughter had six bikes. Two she had outgrown but was psychologically comfortable on. Four for her impending size (hardtail full suspension mtb DH and road). She grew up with lots of bikes (road mtb tandem town commuter cross downhill) around so if she meets someone with 1-2 bikes she knows they aren't serious.

[pdmtong]

+one on buying used. Not very easy to find, but easier on the wallet. They'll outgrow it quickly.



I found this Cannondale for $100 on Craigslist.I think it's 43cm(38 c-c) It was a bit big last summer, but should be a good fit this year(& maybe next)



http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff169/72tunaboat/f7e7d1c7-fa0c-465d-9549-e289239930d4.jpg


Awesome pic!

That's the one thing left i want her to try before heading off to college.

Good job dad!

[ultraman6970]

Miss so much fix gearing and the track... darn!

[VTCaraco]

After buy sell 14 bikes I was up net $500 life to date.
I love this place :beer:

[cmbicycles]

Did you contact the guy with the Novara cross bike? How about a 43cm Trek 1000?

https://richmond.craigslist.org/bik/6021102194.html

[ultraman6970]

I never look in your area due to the driving... I will contact this dude.... thanks.

Sent an email to the trek guy, no idea which novara bike are you talking about. Cant go to richmond during the week, asked the guy about meeting during the weekend.

[cmbicycles]

I'll dig up the link and resend. Not sure if either is worth the drive time, but I'm happy to help if possible. Don't know if it is worthwhile shipping/driving, that is for you to decide... I'm just an enabler ;)

[ultraman6970]

Sent an email already.... thanks :)

[pdmtong]

I love this place :beer:


The last and current two will offset that and I'll probably be negative but that's ok. She definitely got her money's worth. It's just a little game really to justify all these bikes. And make no mistake these were really nice. Ex: Specialized hotrock FSR kids full suspension 24". That in part drives resale

The last:
Safire expert 26" - XO/XT 120mm full suspension

Ruby comp 105 10sp triple

[ultraman6970]

Ok what about this??? just due to consistency between all the bikes at home....

FInd like a 43 or 45 cm frame for 700c wheels... and put it together with all the campy spare parts I have moving around...when the time is ready to move to a bigger one just move the parts to a larger frame and maybe even give away the tiny one of fix it for wifey...

Option number 2, find a 43 to 45 cm 700 frame, buy a regular size bike with everything campy veloce 10, when the time is right move the parts back to the original frame and give away the little one. Looks like will have less hard time finding a veloce 10 bike used or even a group than finding a super 700c frame.

Good plan? crappy plan?

[Hilltopperny]

I don't think it's a bad plan to find a small enough frame and build it up with the excess parts and then swap them out to the next bike when the kids are big enough. It's too bad there aren't any good deals on your local Craigslist though. I have bought everything from a kona stinky jr to a Cannondale synapse for her for under $300 all in. I have always been able to recoup the costs when it was time to move them.

[ultraman6970]

Hi thanks for the input.

[cmbicycles]

How tall are your kids? That likely will determine whether a 700c bike will work or if you need something smaller.

[ultraman6970]

Are like 5 feet tall already...

[Hilltopperny]

My daughter is 5' and rides a 47cm synapse wsd. Sounds like your kids will fit a 700c just fine.

[ultraman6970]

Thanks.... :) good to know :)

[ultraman6970]

Looks like the synapse is the way to go from what I can see at ebay.

[Hilltopperny]

The relaxed geometry really helps and my daughter who is 12 absolutely loves it. We were able to sneak out last weekend when we had some warm weather and get a short ride in. It's nice to have a child who enjoys some of the same things as we do. Cycling is a great way to bond and keep the kids on a good path with their fitness. Hope you find a great deal and the kids enjoy it!:beer:

[ultraman6970]

Hi again, knda found a trek 1000 but the problem is the headset, from the catalogs the headset says... 25.4/34.0/30.0 ... clearly the steering tube is 1inch... Looks like the original headset is like a 1inch headset, this is when It gets tricky because the crownrace is from a 1 1/8 fork... no headsets are sold like than unless I get 2.. the top from a 1inch and the bottom from a 1 1/8 headset.

[ultraman6970]

Ok... asking in the stores around I found a trek 2.1 650 used 43 cm... asked the guy to put the smallest mens aluminum trek at its side and honestly the difference was almost nothing, that was a 50 I believe.

Went to another shop to check out what they had and saw the a female trek and a female specialized... both like in 44 cm... they looked like toys. At least I know now what's the way to go.