Road bike for my 9 year old son

My son has been asking for a road bike of his for about a year now, I'm seriously looking at this point, since I'm convinced this isn't a "phase" for him now.

So far the Schwinn and the Felt F24 are the ones I've found and been condsidering.

Just wondering if anyone has any other advice or has been through this before. He seems so young to start, but he's into the Tour big time. Loves riding with me and even got up to 16.5mph our last ride with his "hunk 'o steel" bmx bike.

Thanks in advance!
:)

We bought our then-9-year-old a Trek MTB - it's purple and was the "girl's version" according to the sales guy, but it's plenty sturdy and can be adjusted quite a bit as she grows. She's 11 now and has grown about two inches in height since we bought it, and Dad has had to move her handlebars and seat accordingly. Last year she and I rode the Tour of Poway together (18-mile course) and we're training for it again this year. I'm hoping she can do the 26-mile course this time.

She'll be read for a road bike in a couple of years. It may very well be that she'll get a commuter bike instead of a commuter car when she turns 16. Ha!

Roxy

Fuji makes one too... just to throw that at ya :)

http://www.fujibikes.com/Kids/Road/Ace24.aspx

Pinarallo Kui is another one. Pricey ($1200), but looking sharp:

http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/photo...-pinarello.jpg

My husband, a passionate cyclist, got his first road bike when he was 9 or 10 years old. He rode quite long distances with his dad early on, visiting the grand parents (that would have been 60-70 km round trip) for brunch on Sundays.

He still speaks fondly of his first road bike, a small Bianchi. I know they still make small road bikes. Actually a lot of manufacturers do.

Maybe you can find something used as well, since other kids outgrow their bikes. Ask around in local bike clubs, especially those with more mature members that may have kids the age of yours.

Good luck!

Redline makes a nice 24" wheeled cyclocross bike that is also excellent for the road. My niece had one until she outgrew it. It was about $600 three years ago.

We bought my small-for-his-age 11 year old the Fuji ACE 650. He loves it.

My only complaint is that it seems the crank is a little large for a child starting out. He has a tough go of it on hills and could use a smaller smallring. We live in Austin, and it's pretty hilly here.

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w...a/PICT0013.jpg
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w...a/PICT0012.jpg
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w...a/PICT0017.jpg

Some other options are:

Giant makes an XXXS road frame with 650 wheels with better components than most bikes marketted for kids.

Cannondale makes a Six-13 in a 40cm in 08, you might still find one or see if there is an equivelent.

Blue makes a 2-four.

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Originally Posted by Loraura

Giant makes an XXXS road frame with 650 wheels with better components than most bikes marketted for kids.

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It's funny you mention that, there's been one listed on our local CL :)

Other than the crank issue, how are you liking the Fuji? My big kid needs to be a couple inches taller before we can really look at anything.. so I have a while to research :D

My son absolutely adores the bike. This means I adore the bike, because he wants to ride it, and he wants to ride with me!

He can keep a 10-12 mph pace on it. He has his own cateye and loves seeing the data.

They actually make it in one size smaller than the 650, called the Ace 24, i think. it must be tiny.

Really the only thing I would change is the small front chainring. It's a 42/52. That's quite a bit bigger than a compact, and he feels it. The 13/28 cassette in the back helps, but frankly, not enough for him. Seems really odd that they choose that. I know I'd be feeling it if I lost my 34 ring.

Also be aware that small frames like that can generally only accommodate one water bottle holder, so on long hot rides, it's a consideration.

I know Trek also makes a 24" road bike. I would imagine these would be easy to come by used, since obviously kids must out grow them fast. Ask at your local bike shop, if any of the staff have kids they may have such bikes to sell used.

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Originally Posted by Loraura

Really the only thing I would change is the small front chainring. It's a 42/52. That's quite a bit bigger than a compact, and he feels it. The 13/28 cassette in the back helps, but frankly, not enough for him. Seems really odd that they choose that. I know I'd be feeling it if I lost my 34 ring.

Also be aware that small frames like that can generally only accommodate one water bottle holder, so on long hot rides, it's a consideration.

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The 24 has a 36/44 up front, and the same 13/28 in the back.. which DOES make much more sense.

It is tiny, but so is my 8yo.. he's barely 4 feet tall.

Hopefully this won't be too much of a thread drift, but when do you start teaching your kids how to ride geared bikes? My son is 8 and does just fine on his bike. His older bike had hand brakes, but we disconnected them (it was the first bike he rode without training wheels) so that he could only use the coaster brakes. His current bike just has coaster brakes. I'm starting to take him for rides, but it's already proving tough for him to make any kind of speed. He's fairly small...I think he's riding a 19" right now, *maybe* 20".

Both Specialized and Trek also make smaller road bikes for kids.

JoAnn

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Originally Posted by HappyTexasMom

Hopefully this won't be too much of a thread drift, but when do you start teaching your kids how to ride geared bikes?

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When they can't keep up with you :)

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Originally Posted by sarahspins

When they can't keep up with you :)

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Haha...so I should have bought him a geared tricycle when he was three, then. :p

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Originally Posted by HappyTexasMom

Haha...so I should have bought him a geared tricycle when he was three, then. :p

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Of course.. wouldn't that be fun! My oldest was riding without training wheels at 3.. it should come as no surprise that he's interested in biking with me now that I'm back into it :D

I personally don't mind investing a bit more in a bike that is more suited to riding "with" me, as well as the fact that if well maintained, can eventually be used for all kids (younger two are 2 and 4.. 4yo isn't even riding with training wheels :rolleyes:, but does love her balance bike)

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Originally Posted by sarahspins

Of course.. wouldn't that be fun! My oldest was riding without training wheels at 3.. it should come as no surprise that he's interested in biking with me now that I'm back into it :D

I personally don't mind investing a bit more in a bike that is more suited to riding "with" me, as well as the fact that if well maintained, can eventually be used for all kids (younger two are 2 and 4.. 4yo isn't even riding with training wheels :rolleyes:, but does love her balance bike)

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Three years old...wow! Mine were both 6 (that being just a few days ago for my youngest).

I don't mind investing the money in theory...the reality part is just a little tougher to swallow (darn unstable job and crappy job market!).

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Originally Posted by Loraura

W

Giant makes an XXXS road frame with 650 wheels with better components than most bikes marketted for kids.



.

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Actually Giant no longer makes the XXXS. I wish they did, as I sold a few. I sold a felt 24 to a kid last year. Very cool bike. The Blue is also very cool, but I would imagine a bit spendy.
If the cranks are too long I'm wondering if some of the bmx racing cranks could be rigged to work. They have arm lengths down to 110!! I'll have to ask my mechanic tomorrow.

Trek stopped making the KDR 1000 (24" kids road bike) last year, but Specialized, Felt, Fuji, and Pro-Lite still offer one. The Pro-Lite has downtube shifter that are supposed to be easier for kids, but it's pricey. There are lots of Treks out there, so might be worth trying to find a good used one on Craigslist or ebay.

I'll tell you that I absolutely cherish the road rides with my 12 year old. He just talks and talks and talks. I know good and well that the time I have with him now is most likely limitted as soon he won't want to be seen anywhere near me in spandex. For now, it's absolutely priceless to me to spend this quality time with my kiddo. Keeping my kid active and off the couch is also worth every effort!

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Originally Posted by Mr. SR500

Trek stopped making the KDR 1000 (24" kids road bike)

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Now they make a scaled-down kid's version of the 7.2fx though :) The geometry on it seems weird to me.. and my 8yo sat on one and it was quite a bit too long for him.

A Trek kid's bike just showed up on my ebay feed.

Item number:190321336627

No comments on quality or price (and it's not mine), but I thought I'd pass the link on to you.

Thanks everyone...I've read all your responses :-)

We're looking. He absolutely loves riding.

I showed him the Felt F24 and he really likes the black/red combo...we'd have to drive an hour or so to get to a bike shop that sells them..but it's worth it. Thanks again everyone...

will let you know how it goes...