> I've always wondered why kids' bikes in the US are - well, kids bikes. They're heavy, overburdened
> with "features" like suspension that most kids don't need, and for some bikes, weigh more than the
> kid. (No, I'm not kidding - read the specs and heft one of these monsters.) A riding buddy of mine
> bought a full suspension kid's bike for his kid, and it's so heavy his kid can't ride it for any
> distance. In other words, some of these bikes are toys, meant to look pretty under the tree and
> then rust in the driveway.
>
> I would guess the Trek and Specialized are a cut above, but still, the Trek weighs a lot - I know,
> I considered it for my 6 year old.
Kids bikes *do* weigh a lot, but for the most part it's intentional. For most kids of that age,
they're not going to be taking them on long rides with Mom or Dad; more typically it's around the
neighborhood or to school and back, that sort of thing. And the simple facts are that a good number
of them will have been left behind Mom or Dad's car and backed over, as well as many other
unfortunate types of abuse... and the heavier bikes hold up better to that.
Ideally, we'd have something light & cool as well, but the other issue is that we're talking about
an industry that can barely support itself at the moment, and adding "fringe" SKUs that would sell
great to those who post here but not do so well elsewhere... it's just not likely to happen. Wish it
would though!
--Mike-- Chain Reaction Bicycles www.ChainReaction.com
"Kamus of Kadizhar" <
[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Mike Jacoubowsky wrote:
> >>I'm going to get my 7yo daughter a new bike and am looking for opinions on which to get. She is
> >>a very good rider for her age and I think she is ready to step up to a multi-geared bike. So far
> >>my main choices are the Trek Mountain Track 60 or Specialized Hotrock 20. She's fairly tall for
> >>her age and I think a 20" bike is the right size. I don't mind spending a little more on a good
> >>bike with better quailty components. Are there any other bikes to look at? Thanks for any input,
> >>
> >>Scott
>
> Scott:
>
> <rant> I've always wondered why kids' bikes in the US are - well, kids bikes. They're heavy,
> overburdened with "features" like suspension that most kids don't need, and for some bikes, weigh
> more than the kid. (No, I'm not kidding - read the specs and heft one of these monsters.) A riding
> buddy of mine bought a full suspension kid's bike for his kid, and it's so heavy his kid can't
> ride it for any distance. In other words, some of these bikes are toys, meant to look pretty under
> the tree and then rust in the driveway.
>
> I would guess the Trek and Specialized are a cut above, but still, the Trek weighs a lot - I know,
> I considered it for my 6 year old. </rant>
>
> Fuji makes a great kids touring bike. I can't find the link to it at the moment, but it comes with
> road tires, 20" wheels, fenders, etc. The catch is that it's sold in UK. Not in the US.
>
> Author makes a line of great kids bikes. I like this one:
>
http://www.author.cz/index.php?kolo&y=2004&z=1&idk=41&idkk=732
>
http://www.author.cz/index.php?kolo_popup_text&z=1&y=2004&idkk=732 20 lbs, aluminum frame, real
> functioning brakes and gears, narrower hybrid tires, beautiful. US$170. The catch? Only available
> in the Czech Republic (My 6 year old happens to have one of these. It really is a great bike.) All
> of the parts on the bike are the standard stuff - Quando hubs, Shimano shifters, etc. It's
> basically a Trek Mountain Trask 60 without the front suspension (and the weight). I even think the
> Trek has slightly better components.
>
> I can't figure out why a bike like this can't be sold in the US. Is it because parents (or kids)
> have featureitis and want the dual suspension super duper whammy jammy without regard to
> rideability?
>
> -Kamus
>
> --
> What am I on? I'm on my bike, o__ 6 hours a day, busting my ass. ,>/'_ What are you on? --Lance
> Armstrong (_)\(_)