Dawes Giro 300 24" Opinions Please

paulintheforest

I've just been asked about this bike for an 8 year old to use for triathlons
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/daw ... l#features
I can't find any reviews anywhere, does anyone have any views on this bike? particularly against the Islabike Luath 24 which is what I have in mind for my children.

thanks

oxoman

I suspect it wont be as good as the Islabike, however given that there are loads of junior road bikes out there now.
All the main players do them, Moda Forme Giant ect. Given i have the Giro 300 adult bike as a wet weather bike i would imagine its pretty light in junior frame size, certainly cannot fault mine. My youngest son is 8 and has the Decathlon Triban 3 junior which does him for following me, but suspect not good enough for triathlons.

othello

paulintheforest wrote:

I've just been asked about this bike for an 8 year old to use for triathlons
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/daw ... l#features
I can't find any reviews anywhere, does anyone have any views on this bike? particularly against the Islabike Luath 24 which is what I have in mind for my children.

thanks

It is really heavy, especially when compared to bikes like the Luath. Very low spec components, steel fork etc. Personally I would avoid it, as it won't be that much fun to ride. Better to spend the extra on an Isla. If going for the Moda, go for the CX version. Plenty of kids triathlons have their bike part on tracks or fields, where you want the CX version.

simon_e

The Dawes is heavier, lower spec and the resale value will be poorer than the Islabike. I know someone who bought the Espoir 24 for his daughter. Handling was so-so and it was compromised by similarly cheap parts. I'd only buy one if it was secondhand, so a lot less than new (provided my child was not going to use it for racing). Islabikes are always worth the extra IME.

The CTC mag compared the 24" Dawes Espoir and Islabike Luath a couple of years ago - http://www.ctc.org.uk/file/member/201109056.pdf

@oxoman - kids' bikes are rarely lighter than modern adult bikes.

paulintheforest

Thanks for the comments, I have passed them all back to the person who asked me the question. I'm biased towards islabikes so wanted another opinion.

skinarelli

At the other end of the scale in price, equipment and weight is the Culprit Junior 1 bike with 24" wheels.

These bikes are the lightest and best equipped triathlon bikes money can buy. The designer is a triathlete himself.

http://www.culpritbicycles.com/junior1m2.php

UK distributor is Cyclelynx: http://cyclelynx.co.uk/culprit-junior-1 ... cing-bike/

DeVlaeminck

othello wrote:

paulintheforest wrote:

I've just been asked about this bike for an 8 year old to use for triathlons
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/daw ... l#features
I can't find any reviews anywhere, does anyone have any views on this bike? particularly against the Islabike Luath 24 which is what I have in mind for my children.

thanks

It is really heavy, especially when compared to bikes like the Luath. Very low spec components, steel fork etc. Personally I would avoid it, as it won't be that much fun to ride. Better to spend the extra on an Isla. If going for the Moda, go for the CX version. Plenty of kids triathlons have their bike part on tracks or fields, where you want the CX version.

Agreed, I wouldn't even consider a road bike at that age, they'll do more miles on tracks and parks so a crosser is ideal if they are going for drop bars.

paulintheforest

Thanks for the comments. He has been measured up and it looks like he'll be getting an Islabike Luath 26. That will be good for the grass as well with a set of cross tyres.

ex-pat scot

saw the Dawes 300 24" at the weekend at lbs. Down from £400 to £200. I'm tempted at that price for my 9 yr old. It won't have the resale value or weight advantage of the Islabike, but less than half the price