My daughter has outgrown her 16" bike and I'm looking for a 20" bike. She doesn't want a BMX style bike but is not a serious rider like her brother. Her brother, when he is big enough for a 20" bike, will get a specialized hotrock MTB. That boy loves to go mountain biking even on his walmart bike now.
Every goo 20" craigslist bike I find is around $125, sure they get me shocks(probably garbage) and a 6spd rear end, but the real draw is the aluminum frame that a lot of these bikes have. The steel framed bikes are heavy as sin. Side by side comparison highlights this difference greatly. Example: http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/bik/5456964838.html No shocks and the 6spd rear end would likely confuse my daughter, but the AL frame is awesome.
I've found this bike and it ticks the boxes, she likes the style, but am I being an idiot holding out for a aluminum frame bike? She's not a super serious biker but would like to get out of with her brother etc.. In the Seattle market, this bike would go for $100 used easy so my risk is $15.
http://www.rei.com/product/825439/novara-pixie-20-single-speed-bike-2015
Thoughts?
It's still 25 lbs. I think you can buy something at Wallyworld for less that weighs the same.
All the kids my age grew up pedaling steel framed bicycles quite successfully.
KyAllroad wrote:
It's still 25 lbs. I think you can buy something at Wallyworld for less that weighs the same.
The sad part is the bikes at wally world aren't that much less.
As long as there isn't a big difference in money (if that's even a factor) I'd let her choose, as long as the bike she likes fits her.
Just found someone on CL selling http://www.rei.com/product/825436/novara-pixie-20-6-speed-bike-2015 for $100.
Now time to go to https://www.evergreenmtb.org/trails/duthie-hill
1988RedT2 wrote:
As long as there isn't a big difference in money (if that's even a factor) I'd let her choose, as long as the bike she likes fits her.
Good point. She likes the one from REI I posted. So I should keep with that. It's pink and purple and that is all that matters.
If it was me, I would get an 80s BMX bike, any old Dyno, Haro, GT, etc would be fine, paint it purple, let her pick out the fun stuff like grips, tires, colored cables, etc and do it up. Short handlebars and a short/small seat and she should be OK, otherwise look at the 24" Minis. They are very light and made for small people despite the big tires. Quality would be way higher and it would be fun. But I am weird.
80's bmx bikes go for more money than the new stuff now.
I really want a lil shredder or commencal. But I don't have an extra $3k for a kids bike.
example of dream kids bike.. http://www.commencalusa.com/supreme-20-yellow-2016-c2x17825578
Fueled by Caffeine wrote:
Just found someone on CL selling http://www.rei.com/product/825436/novara-pixie-20-6-speed-bike-2015 for $100.
Well and good, but if she is just a putterer type rider, she's likely to get flumoxed by the shifting and such and not ride it as much.
My wife is a good example of this. She can master the English 3-speed, just barely. A derailer gearset though, and she's done. And this is a gal who's better with a clutch in the truck than I am. But when it's gears on a bicycle, it just makes no sense to her and she doesn't enjoy riding a bike with them.
My wife is very happy with a basic English 3-speed bicycle, with a rear coaster brake, and a basket hanging on the handlebars. So that's what she rides, when she rides. And she enjoys it.
foxtrapper wrote:
Fueled by Caffeine wrote:
Just found someone on CL selling http://www.rei.com/product/825436/novara-pixie-20-6-speed-bike-2015 for $100.
Well and good, but if she is just a putterer type rider, she's likely to get flumoxed by the shifting and such and not ride it as much.
My wife is a good example of this. She can master the English 3-speed, just barely. A derailer gearset though, and she's done. And this is a gal who's better with a clutch in the truck than I am. But when it's gears on a bicycle, it just makes no sense to her and she doesn't enjoy riding a bike with them.
My wife is very happy with a basic English 3-speed bicycle, with a rear coaster brake, and a basket hanging on the handlebars. So that's what she rides, when she rides. And she enjoys it.
I know people like this but I just don't understand it. Don't like the gears? Cool, don't push the levers and it's a single speed.
Not looking down on them at all, do what suits you, I just don't understand it.
foxtrapper wrote:
Fueled by Caffeine wrote:
Just found someone on CL selling http://www.rei.com/product/825436/novara-pixie-20-6-speed-bike-2015 for $100.
Well and good, but if she is just a putterer type rider, she's likely to get flumoxed by the shifting and such and not ride it as much.
My wife is a good example of this. She can master the English 3-speed, just barely. A derailer gearset though, and she's done. And this is a gal who's better with a clutch in the truck than I am. But when it's gears on a bicycle, it just makes no sense to her and she doesn't enjoy riding a bike with them.
My wife is very happy with a basic English 3-speed bicycle, with a rear coaster brake, and a basket hanging on the handlebars. So that's what she rides, when she rides. And she enjoys it.
You bring up a fair point.. worst case scenario I can sell the bike for what I paid for it.
Fueled by Caffeine wrote:
worst case scenario I can sell the bike for what I paid for it.
Yes. Because compared to the Target/Walmart type bikes, which cost about the same, this is probably a far better bike.
