Another 'what bike for X' thread!

ChrisSA

Hi all,

My 8yo daughter has joined the local junior tri club. She currently has a 16" wheeled Decathlon bike we assumed would last something like 25 years at least. At the group sessions it is increasingly obvious that she needs something with bigger wheels and gears.

She tried a 20" road bike at the LBS, though I'm not convinced this is the best route. She'll want something she can ride to/around the park, in the woods, etc as well as at the track and racing.

Are there any suitable alternatives to Frog/Islabikes? Something that would pass down to the younger boy would be beneficial too.

Thanks

othello

Sounds to me like you need a cyclocross bike for your daughter. She can ride that at the track or on the road, either with the knobbly tyres or have a spare set to switch over. It will also cope off-road as long as it doesn't get too rocky.

I don't know how tall your daughter is, but I would have thought you need to be looking at a 24" wheel, if not bigger. You'll get much more choice looking at 24" wheels or above.

As a guide, my daughter is 7.5yrs and very tall for her age, with long arms and legs and short body. She is just about to move from a Luath 24 to a Luath 26. At the kids cycling club I coach at, most children around 7-8 are on a 24" wheel at least.

You really can't go far wrong with an Islabike, and for you I would suggest the Luath. Yes, they are expensive initially but they are fantastic bikes, will last a long time, and have fantastic resale value (80-90% back if you look after them).

Other than that, there is the Moda junior range

othello

oxoman wrote:

Moda minor or Kona Jake both 24" wheels and cyclocross friendly roadbike style. Several other manufacturers have jumped on roady bandwangon, Giant, Forme etc but Moda and Kona have been their for a while along with Islabike, Fron was a recent addition. Dawes Espoir is also an option and has been around a while as well. Keep clear of Baracuda and Viking as very heavy. A lot depends on what they intend doing. My 8yr old currently has a Triban 3 Junior which he loves, does local trails and roads, not as light as good as the above Moda,Kona, Islabike,but far better than Viking ect and a lot cheaper. As othello mentions it depends on you daughters size as well. My Son was only just big enough for his Triban last year but is growing fast.

Yes, I forgot about the Kona Jake 2-4. There is currently one for sale, in red, on eBay I see. Very nice bike, though they have a slightly odd tyre size I believe.

A couple of riders at the club have bought the new Forme kids bikes and they look good. Very similar to the Luath to be honest, and cost similar as you get the extra set of tyres included.

baudman

24" tyre. Not 'odd' - just not common. That's OK tho - just ensure you always have a spare tube. Any LBS should be able to get them in for you.

My (then) 7yo struggled with the levers on the Jake. Both to change, and also braking. YMMV.

(She did LOVE it though!)

othello

baudman wrote:

24" tyre. Not 'odd' - just not common. That's OK tho - just ensure you always have a spare tube. Any LBS should be able to get them in for you.

Yes a 24" tyre, but not a common variety of 24" tyre. The Jake 2-4 runs 24" 520 sized tyres, which are very tricky to find. You can't buy a Kenda small block 24" (as found on an Islabike Luath 24) and put it on as it won't fit.

Lovely bike though

imposter2.0

Ah, the ETRTO minefield. So glad both my kids are on 700s now...

DeVlaeminck

My daughter had one of the Jake2-4s at that age, good bike but the double front chainring is not needed and it's a tad over geared imo (unless the new one has changed). A mate bought the newer version and similarly changed it to a single front chainring and rebuilt the wheels on different hubs with half the spokes - he thought as a bike it was over priced.

The Isla bikes are good - I'd go with the biggest she can ride as they do grow fast - I know some will say you need the bike to fit but you can do things like reverse the seat post - my kids raced cross fine like that. I'm a bit out of the loop now mine are older but a cross bike, single front ring and a mega range cassette at the back is the way to go imo.