I’d like to buy my 7 year-old son a 24" gear bike for school. I’m looking for the lightest possible thing (e.g. no superfluous suspension stuff), because he has to contend with 10%-15% grades in our area.
Unfortunately, the weightweenies site doesn’t help much for kids’ bikes. So far, I’m considering a Specialized “Hotrock,” but don’t know of many other options.
thanks in advance for any advice
Do a search here for a Trek KDR 1000. It’s a road bike, if that’s okay. There was one on the classifieds a few days ago. I am borrowing one from a friend (he would not sell it) and it is awesome. Both trek and specialized made one the last few years, but nothing this year. I think they both may have a 24" hybrid offering this year.
In addition to this KDR that he just got, he rides a GT micro mini BMX bike. It is getting too small so he will get something different next year. I’m thinking of something like a mini 24" cruiser.
Nearly all the players have bikes in this space (Trek, Diamondback, Giant, GT, Schwinn, Fuji, etc.). It looks like Trek is the only company who offers a fixed front end on a multi-speed mountain bike.
I also noticed that both Schwinn (Midi Fastback) and Fuji (Ace 24) make road bikes with 24" wheels for the up and coming junior triathlete that might also be worth a look.
I also noticed that both Schwinn (Midi Fastback) and Fuji (Ace 24) make road bikes with 24" wheels for the up and coming junior triathlete that might also be worth a look.
Ditto Felt.
Redline Conquest 24" is great - light, can go anywhere (cyclocross bike)
Or, if you want junior to be stylin’ euro style, Pinarello makes a 24 incher …
I forget how tall my 7yo is, but his hands are too small to shift the STI levers and too small to brake from the hoods. We just cruise around the neighboorhood with the seat bottomed out and he uses the 'cross brakes on the top’s. When we get to a big hill we stop and I shift the bike to an easier gear and then resume. Like I said the kdr we have is a loaner so I don’t feel I am out any $$
I know you want gears, but I’m not convinced kids that age need them. It may be nice going up hill, but there is no way they can push anything in the big ring. I’ve been riding for 25 years and I’m finding I put more miles on the single speed 'cross bike riding gravel than I do on the road bike. For lighter weight I would look into the BMX stuff.
I’m thinking that this would be a sweet ride Intense cruiser
His micro mini is the coolest bike in the Superman stable.