My Daughter loves the events. She rocks the swim and manages the run okay, we are working on it. But the bike she uses is very heavy and I think she could benefit from larger road tires and regular handle bars (like on a regular 10 speed etc.)
I want to buy used around 200 dollars since Ill likely do this every couple years. She is 4’ 10" ave inseam for that size, and I was thinking a bike with 44cm frame, 24 inch wheels? I will take her to bike shop for fit later this week, but does anyone have 1st had suggestions to get me browsing? I have lloked at the fuji 24 inch and the Trek 2.1 the gmc denali is too heavy…
Thanks for your educated opinions!!! My range is around 200 used though…
something like this:
http://www.feltbicycles.com/USA/2014/Bikes/Road/F-Series-Road-Bike/f24.aspx
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Three of them on Ebay right now
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I bought my 11 year old a giant hybrid… 2 years now he is on the podium 1 or 2 every time … good bike but not a tri bike
Felts fit chart actually suggest a 650c bike at that size (F95jr) Same price it looks like. Better tires available too in 650.
OTOH, but 5’0 they suggest a F48, and that’s good through 5’2".
You might consider how fast she’s growing and what her height will be in a couple years. I suppose you could combine your wife’s childhood growth pattern along with your mothers a sister or aunt as a reference or any blood relative with a similar body type as her.
I’d lean towards a 650 for sure looking at that chart and not knowing anything else. They you can just stock up on cheap stems. Maybe start with a short -18 stem at the start with as few spacers as possible and you might just leave the stack height similar and let her start riding a more and more aggressive position as she gets taller. Then when she gets to aerobar legal racing (14?) add clip ons.
Or get the 24" now, use it for 1 season then sell or trade it for a F95, then a 48 and so on.
I just went through this with my 11 yr old son. He did a youth criterium and youth duathlon on a bmx bike and did really well considering his equipment. Being a good swimmer he is stoked to do some triathlons next season so I searched all over for a small used road bike. These bikes are hard to find used but I finally found a 2011 Fuji ACE 24 for $150. I think he is right in between the Fuji 24 and 650c but for a first road bike I think it is a good transition size from the bmx because he feels comfortable and has good control. It will probably just get him through next season but I should be able to sell it for what I paid. Good Luck.
Sigh, I wish my parents had gotten me into the sport this young…
I was concerned that the Fuji ace 24 would be too heavy but there is a mint one here in town for 95 dollars. You think if be happy with that for a year or so? Thanks!
If you are near Portland, OR… my friend is selling this. (Might be a little big)… “Trek kids road bike. Perfect condition. Ridden about 10 times. 43cm frame. All our kids have outgrown it. $395”
Thanks it’s a bit too much but I am i
Also in Houston. Great bike though!!
I think she would be happy, my son was thrilled. The Fuji ACE is not a great bike but its not bad for a kid just starting out and the price is right, I don’t think you can go wrong for $95. That size seems to be a good introduction size for a smaller kid just getting comfortable on a road bike.
my daughter is ten and has a pinarello sized just for her- we bought it when she was nine. she is about the same size as your child. she loves to ride and does a few tris and dus a year. it cost quite a bit, but she will be able to ride it for 4-5 years, so we thought it was worth it. i believe that felt also makes a bike in that size. maybe you could find one used? good luck. it has really made a difference in her enjoyment and has been great to be able to really ride as a family. oh, none of the races around here that are for kids let them use aerobars or anything like that, so it is a road bike.
Fuji Ace. My kid is on a Tri team and half the kids ride those. Great bike.
i got one of these for my son, it was discounted a bit off msrp. I like that it has hybrid tires so he can do off road riding and races (I promote a kids race series off road in the summer) and I like that is has a single front ring for simplicity and no suspension, so it’s pretty light.
http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/collections/kids/kids_fx_boys#
A 600 dollar drop bar bike for a child seems a little much. Most any coaster or rim brake bike with simple gearing and hopefully somewhat light will be fine for her, the main thing for children is keeping the weight somewhat low.
I had a 1 speed before called a Gary Fisher precaliber 20 inch that was wonderful–light, simple and not too expensive, but they no longer make them.
I give my kids bikes away to friends or trade them for small things, ask your friends. There is zero market for used kids bikes, you should be able to pick something up used.
When I was 8 I got a Fuji Ace 650, and it was a great bike. We had the lbs switch the shifters to the hoods, and then added clip on aerobars. I was able to ride it for longer than any of my other bikes. Find one on sale and that’s a good option.
“Squirrel!” is this you?
Is this the guy whose podcasts I have listened to last year? The Fuji ace 24 is that the one you think will fit her? She is 4 10.
Sigh, I wish my parents had gotten me into the sport this young…
The age groups are so easy when you’re under 18!
That’s me! We just did the annual solo self-supported Ironman yesterday. 6 people doing various distances, 2 of us going 140.6. Check the website and podcast for the breakdown. Search #Ironbaby on Twitter for a ton of cool pix.
The thing abotu buyign a better $600-700 bike is that it has descent resale value. You nca probably sell it for $300 in good condition, so it only cost $300 and you get a better bike that shifts better, fits better, lighter, etc. Buy a cheap $150-300 biek and it’s work maybe $100 afterwards and never works as well.
Funny, hearing someone say it’s rediculous ot buy a $600 biek when msot on here throw down $650 on IM entry fees, $200 on a 70.3 entry, $1000+ for power meters, $4-12k bike, $200 hlemet, shoes… the list goes on. Seriously?
What’s a better investment, $300 (net) that might make you 2 minutes faster in a 70.3 or $300 that you might keep your child interested in sport that she can compete in for life. It also shows your willing to invest in their future… which has ot be balanced with not spoiling them. You can make them work for it and chip in maybe $100 work of chores, etc so they have a vested interest in using it and understand it’s value.
Little things can have a big impact in a childs life. I had my first real road bike when I was 14. My parents paid for 1/2 and I used all my allowance money for 2 years ot buy it. Sadly it was stolen and not replaced. But I rode the hell out of it that summer and the enjoyment of riding fast really stuck with me.