Junior-scale road bikes?

[zoom-zoom]

We probably won't be looking at one for another year or so. DS just turned 9 and is still a little bit flaky to be riding a real road bike, but we definitely know it's an inevitable thing with his dad and I both riding.

Anyhow, I was curious to see if any TE moms had any knowledge/experience of the various models out there. It appears that several companies used to make kids' road bikes...but it looks like there are not as many now. No biggie, since we'd likely be looking for a gently used one, anyhow.

Any specific recommendations or advice?

[Eden]

I can give you some (mumble) personal experience.... It's not exactly a road bike, but I have a kid's sized cyclocross bike. I believe they are less expensive than road bikes. They also have the advantage that you can use slick or knobby tires on them, so the kiddos can go off road if they want to. They are probably a little bit heavier than a true kids road bike, but not nearly as heavy as a regular kids bike. In most respects they look like road bikes - they have drop handlebars and road like geometry.

Redline, Kona and REI all do a Kid's cross bike.

[zoom-zoom]

Oh, now THAT is something to consider! My hubby just did his first cyclocross race this Fall and there were some kids who did it, too--they started behind the C group and did just one lap, I think. Hmmm...

[zoom-zoom]

Oh, this is so cool...but he's not yet tall enough to be able to stand over the bar--ow!:
http://www.redlinebicycles.com/bikes/cyclocross/2010-conquest-24

[Eden]

There's lots of juniors who race cross out here. They look like they are having an absolute blast. The Conquest 24 is the bike I have. At 5 feet tall I'm just a little too small for a regular cross bike and until pretty much last year there weren't any small ones that were not custom (and even now the Terry is still quite expensive). I think the Kona Jake 24 is a little smaller than the Redline.

[zoom-zoom]

Hmmm...Kona doesn't appear to be making that anymore, but I'm putting searches in eBay and hoping that one of these shows at some point in the next few months.

[Jaclyn]

A lot of manufacturers still sell junior size road bikes in Europe, and you can often find them in US. Among the choices:

Specialized Allez Junior with 24 inch wheels
Bianchi Jr 24 (in Celeste blue, naturally)
Felt F24
Giant TCR Junior
Colnago used to sell a junior racer with 21 inch wheels for even younger kids

These typically sell for <$1000 new, and often for around $250 when you find one on eBay.

I agree with Eden that a great option is one of the junior cyclocross bikes such as the Redline Conquest 24 or the REI Pulse.

[Trek420]

Pinarello makes a kids road bike:

http://www.pinarello.com/eng/fp0_453.php

[channlluv]

One of the challenges with buying my DD a road bike - she's been asking for one for a year now - is that she's growing a couple of inches every six months. She'll outgrow the bike in a year.

Now if they were smart, these bike companies would have a grow-with-your-kid lease program.

:)

Roxy

[zoom-zoom]

Roxy, you said it!

I found out Jamis has a bike, too, the Ventura Comp 650c (http://www.jamisbikes.com/usa/thebikes/road/ventura/10_venturacomp650.html)