Can anyone give me some suggestions for a kid’s road bike? I would like to buy my oldest daughter something this summer. She is 11 and is probably a bit shorter than the average 11 y.o. . I wouldn’t mind getting something used if I can find the right bike. Anyone have any experience they can pass along?
chris
I’m in the middle of the same search. I wouldn’t mind spending the money to get a good bike, if it weren’t for the fact that he will out grow it in a few years. So, if money isn’t an issue with you, it is available in the size you will need; it just needs to be special ordered.
Another option is to (I feel like such a heretic) buy a cheap road bike at Wal Mart, and then immediately upgrade the necessaries like brakes and perhaps other components.
The brand at WalMart and Target for this is the GMC Denali.
The direction I will probably go is my wife’s old Schwinn 10 speed. His feet can barely touch the ground, but it will last him through his growth spurts, get him away from his heavy road bike, and onto some skinny tires. Hopefully he’ll get addicted to speed. (HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!)
Trek KDR 1000. 24" wheels. My girls are 10 1/2 now, and tall for their age. They still fit fine with a short stem and a Thomson forward post. I think they’re about 4’ 10", or 11".
OP, I did this same post a week or two ago…you may want to do a search.
Since that post, I’ve also found that Blue makes a real nice looking 24" bike with American Classic wheels. Unfortunately, I don’t think Trek makes the KDR anymore. If you or anyone else wants to sell one of your two in the near future, let me know.
You may be right, but they made it at least through 2008.
http://www.mazlow.com/details.asp?Brand=Trek&view=yes&id=231&type=Kids
I’m not sure if they’re available in the U.S. but Louis Garneau has a few decent kid’s bikes. They have a 24" wheel model and 650c model as well.
Greg.
Unfortunately 2008 was the last year they were made. My local Trek dealer doesn’t have any in stock and I just missed one they had on consignment. I may post a WTB thread in the classified and see if I get any hits on a used one. Your kids look like they’ve outgrown theirs already 
Wondered when that was coming:) Actually, I think they can get 2 more seasons out of them…maybe.
I have a 24" Louis Garneau with down tube shifter and is ornage and black. I’m going to be moving it to storage since the shop is closing so if you are interested call the shop and we’ll get it boxed and shipped. The origianl price was $750, I’ll unload it for half.
Jeff
My daughter has a LG as well. It is a great little bike with Shimano Sora and 650 wheels. She has had it for a few years now and it fit her from 4’8" or so up to her current 5’2". I think that the reatil on it was around $750-$800 but we got it on a closeout deal so I got it for a lot less.
Fuji makes an inexpensive little bike with 24" wheels called the ACE. Santa brought one for my 7 year old with a rear disc cover and aero bars!! $270 I think is what we paid for the bike at Performance.
Redline makes a great Conquest cross bike in 24". About $650
Best of both worlds - road bike with off road capabilities. My daughter has been racing on her Gary Fisher MTN bike and is looking forward to this season on the cross bike 
I bought a slightly used Trek 2.1 WSD off ebay recently that fits my 11 yo (4’3" tall) great. Its a 43 cm frame with 650 wheels. I removed the spacers to lower the stem. The saddle is an inch or so higher than the bars. Works great.
Lots of kids bikes come with 24" or 650cc wheels. I tried to find something in 700cc as just simpler and gives more room to grow. My LBS was able to find a Diamondback Podium that was XS and 700cc wheels for my son. It was a little big (seat all the way down, etc.) but lots of room to grow (he was 9 at the time). When he first got it we did rides around town but also went into parking lots and practices hopping over water bottles, hitting uneven pavement, etc. He was able to handle the bike well even with the bigger wheels.
Might be able to find some good, used XS road bikes out there that are not “kid” bikes.
Holy crap! That kid’s bike is more tricked out than mine! I better be good this year so Santa gives me a bike like that!!!
J
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Javelin still has some Dolce bikes on closeout. http://www.javbike.com/Specials.html Scroll down to the very bottom. Bought my Varese on closeout and they were very helpful and shipped quickly.
Last year bought a aleez jr for my 10 yr son (4’-10"). Had 700 wheels and I think was a size 44. LBS found it for me as it was last years 2007 model and gave me a pretty good deal I think. About $600. He doesn’t have any problems riding it and I figure we can had it sown to his little sister when it gets to little for him.
Felt has a nice 24 - http://www.feltracing.com/08/product.asp?catid=1504,1515&pid=8671
IronDad on this forum is an authority on the issue . . . do a search.
if yer looking for a budget way to go about things, take a look !!
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c276/t-t-n/100_9074.jpg
this bike started life as a 24" wheeled mtn bike. a set of 650 road wheels slip right in there with 1" tires. add a set of really cheap long-travel calipers. drop bars, bar-cons from the parts bin and presto !! a surprisingly quick, solid, fun road bike for next to nuthin. my littledude was bustin out long rides on this rascal for several years. then we converted it back to mtn bike status, and gave it away to a thrilled deserving young fella.