Other I'm telling you there is a market

[sportfish258]

Well the chirens bees growin . It's time to rethink the bike question. They are on redline minis and ready to make the jump to 20" . I could possibly put them on 24's , but the stand over would be about 3 inch to tall . I was told by some of the LBS's that stand over is not that important .... I disagree, I think stand-over for kids aids their confidence when they find them selves in sticky situations. Top tube length would be a little long as well but think I could manage that with seat slide and stem.


I am amazed that hydro formed top tubes are not used more often when building kids bikes . I'm amazed that most 20 inch bikes top the scales at 25 + pounds. My kids are 55 pounds do they really need a frame that will hold a grown man.


I think high end kids bikes are a nitch market that could be filled. I'm not saying you could get rich off of it , but I think a man with a good jig and skill with a tig could make some good side money . If you do a search there are plenty of riders that would pony up on a quality light weight kids frame . The link below is a Carver mini that can use 24 or 26 inch wheels .... GREAT IDEA ! You can change it as they grow. They currently make a Ti super mini frame set for 1,200 that is WAY over the top unless your child is competing . Just a thought ....




http://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=165675

 

[BrapBraap]

As a former employee of the LBS for 5+ years... go with your gut on the stand-over height. We had some customers that demanded that their kid get put on the larger size bike so they wouldn't outgrow it as fast. If the kid isn't comfortable, the bike wont be fun and they wont ride it.

I believe most of the weight on those 20-24" MTB style kids bikes are in the components. We sold Trek and Specialized... and I swear the wheels/cranks/bars/seatpost weighed just as much as the frame.

 

[SuperJETT]

Scott makes those bikes already. Their Scale and Spark bikes are really nice but you pay for it.

 

[McDog]

Heavy bikes make em tough. When they are ready for a real bike as a preteen they will think their new bike is light as a feather and destroy the trails.

 

[wydopen]

my friends family builds handmade frames.. here is a one off custom 24" dh bike they did for a kid in prob 1999...

edit: judging by the fork it may be even earlier..they were the first people to make an 8" travel dh bike in the late 90s..they now do suspension revalves/modifications and have gotten away from frame building..i had his last generation DH bike and the thing was sick..that frame with his custom forks and shock was unreal..it was pretty much like having a "works" mnt bike..i went from midpack in expert to podiums when i got on his bikes...

the fork and shock were completely gutted and he handmade the internals..the fork was pretty much a showa moto fork on the inside..it was like cheating racing guys with off the shelf stuff...

 

[SJ Thumpa]

Scott makes those bikes already. Their Scale and Spark bikes are really nice but you pay for it.

Yes, that's what all the local MB gurus recommend for the young ones too. Scott Spark 20". My boy enjoys his when he's got time out from BMX.

 

[sportfish258]

Yes, that's what all the local MB gurus recommend for the young ones too. Scott Spark 20". My boy enjoys his when he's got time out from BMX.

Well ... We pulled the trigger on two Scott Spark Jr 20's . The kids are so much more capable / confident on the 20's with the stand over and top tube length. They may out grow them in a year , but thats just the way it is. They are doing real well on the local single track . I hope some friendly gearing will bump them to the next level. Speaking of which I may have to change a few things on the front chain rings. I'll just have to see when they start riding them.


Thanks for the input . Andrew , I may get your friends number in a year or so. Are they sill making frames ?

 

[SuperJETT]

Nice buy, great bikes.

 

[sportfish258]

Thanks jet I'll post when They come in .

 

[sportfish258]

The eagle has landed ....... They are a little less than what I expected. Scott rep at the usa office said the advertised was correct . I don't know what he weighed , but these things come in at 27 pounds. Almost 1.5 pounds over . The components are adequate , but I'm sure they will ware quickly. Surprisingly the suspension is set up is soft enough for their weight. All in all I think they will work very well for our local trails. Riding yesterday the kids said their hands and arms were itching. Every time we stopped they were scratching like hounds ... I think the extra weight for the suspension is justified if it makes it more comfortable to ride.


I will say this , it seems that SURFERS on bikes have moved in on some of our local trails . There is a little 2 mile loop of tight single track labeled " beginner section". It's flat and rolling , a perfect place to learn .... thus the name . My kids 7 and 9 were just bumping along when a group of guys on single speed hard tails come flying up behind us from around a blind corner. They start yelling " riders behind pick a side " My kids were kind of freaking out as they came flying by . We really had no time to react , it happened fast . They were about 2 feet away from my kids hauling ass. Of course as they passed the kids looked over and of course they veered in that direction . The last guy ended up getting of the trail to avoid a collision. I just said " ARE YOU KIDDING " One A hole commented that I needed to learn proper trail etiquette . I thought , If you come back by I'll teach you some trail etiquette and bust this frame pump across your nose.

I was talking to a guy in the parking lot , and he said that is a group from ATL and are very serious about racing. He went further to say several people have had words with them. They must feel entitled in some way and feel like they have the right to Claim the trails.

 

[Big Kahuna]

next time hop off your bike and turn it sideways to the trail. They will stop. It worked for me in our neighborhood when a car was driving to fast!!!!!!!!!!!!!