Looking for kids 24" wheel road OR cross bike

[bradzarikoff]

8th birthday is coming up and there was quite a bit of excitement after the Timbits race last Sunday.

PM me if you have or know of a 24" complete bike in/around Victoria.

Thanks.

[bikehart]

A friend of mine has this Jake 24 for sale, it is very lightly used.
Let me know if you are interested, the only issue is that it is in north Vancouver.

Hugh

[JohnT]

I've got the same model that I can sell - a red one that's probably a little more used, but not much.

JohnTaylor

[bradzarikoff]

Thanks fellas.

I'm going to expand the search to include mountain bikes with 24" wheels.

And I'll ask a question to all those with a young one who has made the transition to road bikes: how did your kids find the shift? Was it difficult for a < 10 yr old to learn the slightly difference balance of a road bike?

Our concern is that ours has a tendency to "fall" off his bike during the ride to/from school. I feel like with a road bike that tendency may be lessened, but I'm worried that could be wishful thinking... perhaps it might be wiser to wait for this transition until he's pre-teen... also my wife is saying "no" to a road frame

[David Hill]

Hey, Brad, as a TS Youth team dad, with both kids having made the switch at about the same age as your son, I'd say you probably can't lose by making an investment in a Jake 24 or similar 'cross bike. Both my kids started on the Jake 24, and they now ride and race regularly with Tripleshot (age 14 and 16).

First of all, you're right - a proper road / 'cross bike is going to be lighter and less likely to fall over and crush your son on the way to school. They are more nimble, and the 'cross bikes can do pretty much anything the small heavy mountain bikes do.

Second, cyclocross is F-U-N, especially for the kids, so if you're at all thinking about steering him towards road, get the 'cross bike, because for the costs of another set of tires, you've got two bikes.

Third, as you can tell, it's hard to get a good 24-inch 'cross or road bike, so the resale value is HIGH.

Fourth, not a lot of kids go to school on cool road-style bikes, which will make your guy way cool.

If you're keen to get him up on a road bike, I would seriously check out the Tripleshot Youth group, or go out to Fastrack, which is designed to introduce new young riders to track cycling. It's very social, fun, and low pressure. More info on that at http://www.gvva.bc.ca/wp-content/upload ... 0218-2.pdf

I would send an email to Lister Farrar at listerfarrar@telus.net. He's heading to Penticton this weekend for Youth Road Championships, but he's pretty good about getting back to people.

Good luck!

[bradzarikoff]

Thanks for the post David. We're finding this a tough decision on many fronts: for example, there is a security concern of having him ride to school on a racy bike (will it still be there after school?), but on the other hand we want to encourage his interest. Multiple bikes is an option, but cash and storage space are limited.

Ah well, we're going to keep exploring options and looking around! Cheers!

[Bosie]

Hi Brad,
I can only second what David said. My son started Cross last year with the TS youth team. Its very low key, stress free and fun for the kids. Generally in a park in town twice a week, so safe. The kids love it. As they get stronger they start doing "cross adventures" (before long they are riding 400 km weeks in Chico.)
My son has a cross bike and uses it for road and cross.
My daughter, who is 10, will likely start Cross this year and I will be getting her a small Jake 24 or similar.
The TS youth team is one of the best investments in town.
Craig

[bikehart]

Brad,
I agree with your wife a mtn bike is much more stable, easier to shift and stops much more quickly. even though my boys love cross they would both prefer to go for a real mountain bike ride any day. The only issue with a mountain bike is that you will need to get one as well.

If you want your son to try them both out I have a Jake 24 and a 24 in mtn bike, or at least my 9 year old son has them both in the bike rack down stairs?

Hugh

[neonwilderness]

Hi,
My 8year old son (4'6" tall) is also wanting a road/cross bike; let me know if you're selling one or know someone who is
Thanks
sam
250-415-7361

[Mike Sargent]

Looking for used 24in cross bike (the sport is addicting the whole family).

Also looking for a used cross bike for my wife, probably fits a 52cm or thereabouts.

Mike
250 813 2552