Bikes for Kids doing Triathlon
BY: Hook'em on 2011-03-25 2:19 PM

For those parents out there who have kids doing tris, what bikes do they ride?

My 8yo is currently riding a 7 speed with 20" tires which worked fine last year, but she is borderline needing a taller bike (plus my 5yo is ready to move up to her sisters bike).  So I am looking for new bike for my 8yo.  There are a few kids bikes with 24" tires, but I am not sure that I shouldn't bump her up to a regular womens bike (with a down angled top bar) that she could get some more use out of.  She is 54" tall.

 

 

RE: Bikes for Kids doing Triathlon
BY: Batlou on 2011-03-25 2:39 PM

I picked up a bike on Craigs List for my daughter.  About a 5 year old Trek 820 13".  It's an adult bike but I was able to lower the seat way down so she could ride it.  Kids grow out of bikes so fast there are almost always good deals online.   The advantage of using an adult bike is it uses standard 26" MTB tires and  we swapped them out for road slicks.  She loves this bike and it's easy to ride and she should be able to ride it for several years.

 

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RE: Bikes for Kids doing Triathlon
BY: jmhpsu93 on 2011-03-25 2:43 PM

Dude, she's REALLY gotta work on that aero position.

Seriously, my daughter got a 24-in Wal-Mart mountain bike for Christmas.  If (hopefully when) she decides to get serious about tri's...we'll invest in a better quality bike for her.

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Mike
https://www.strava.com/athletes/2066322

RE: Bikes for Kids doing Triathlon
BY: KeriKadi on 2011-03-25 3:07 PM

We got her a Trek a few weeks ago, she is 8. We had a hard time finding bikes w/o big nobby tires and shocks.

 

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http://mamatris.blogspot.com/

RE: Bikes for Kids doing Triathlon
BY: monkeyboy64 on 2011-03-26 8:11 AM

My 11 year-old son, who had been racing for a couple of years, chose a hybrid bike when it was time to decide. We looked at mountain bikes and others, but he wanted one with skinny tubes and tires. It's adult size with flat handle bars. We don't have the money or desire to deck him out with carbon aero what-not. Prior to that, he raced on his knobby-tire bike from Target with a single gear.
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Cross Country Cycle Triathlon Team

RE: Bikes for Kids doing Triathlon
BY: brown_dog_us on 2011-03-26 11:47 AM

I bought my then 6 year old this FUJI kids road bike at performance for around $300 on sale.  It was way to big for her back then and we were a bit worried that it was more bike than she needed.  Fast forward 2 years and it's been a winner.  She loves it.



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Doug

RE: Bikes for Kids doing Triathlon
BY: FuryUs on 2011-03-26 12:53 PM

If you're looking for a road bike, the Fuji Ace 24 is the best deal out there ($300ish if you google it)for a bike with decent components.  If you don't want to spend that much, the GMC Denali 24 available from Amazon is considerably cheaper ($179) and works.  Beyond those two, prices go WAY up--too much for a kids bike in my opinion.

RE: Bikes for Kids doing Triathlon
BY: velorider62 on 2011-03-29 1:11 PM

Guys...

Even I don't have kids...found this cute pic that I would like to share with all of you...

Love it...!!!!       Maybe a future Lance Armstrong..Who know??? LOL




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Lin Perfromance Socks Sponsored Triathlete
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RE: Bikes for Kids doing Triathlon
BY: ratherbeswimming on 2011-03-29 1:23 PM

That kid is awesome.

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-Elaine

RE: Bikes for Kids doing Triathlon
BY: triarcher on 2011-03-29 2:36 PM

 

effin eh!  A cheap track bar and shazam!  My 7 year old has a Redline 20" racer with street tires.  That's what he'll ride if he decides he wants to do one.

RE: Bikes for Kids doing Triathlon
BY: shaka999 on 2011-03-29 3:32 PM

That Amazon bike looks interesting for the price.  A bit of a Frank-en-bike but looks like it might do the trick.  Does anyone have 1st hand experience with it?

RE: Bikes for Kids doing Triathlon
BY: EKH on 2011-03-29 3:39 PM

My 11y/o daughter is planning on doing a couple kid tri's this summer. I'm planning on her riding her mountain bike. Although I told her after completing the races this summer if she was still interested in doing tri's I would get her a better bike.

RE: Bikes for Kids doing Triathlon
BY: KathyG on 2011-03-29 4:12 PM

REI used to sell a road bike that was more like a cross bike that is good for shorter kids that could be great for tris. You could change the tires from knobby to slicks. We looked at getting one for our daughter couple years ago.

Our daughter bought the smallest size Trek 1000 bike when she was about 11 to use in tris. She would often win kids tris since she was one of the only kids on road bike.

 

 

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Dream Big, Train Consistently, Find joy in the journey

RE: Bikes for Kids doing Triathlon
BY: Oriondriver02 on 2011-03-29 5:43 PM

I bought my son one of these... http://www.amazon.com/GMC-Denali-Boys-24-Inch-Road/dp/B000GU68S2

Took a little tweaking out of the box but very happy with it... and he has won a Duathlon and took 2nd in another already this season... IT IS HEAVY but durable!!!

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Scott
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Attitude trumps pain!
Unless you are the lead dog... the view is always the same!

RE: Bikes for Kids doing Triathlon
BY: Hook'em on 2011-03-30 8:41 AM

I have seen a couple road bikes for kids, but I am concerned about the handle bars and brakes.  Did you notice any issues about learning how to use the brakes or controling the bike?

RE: Bikes for Kids doing Triathlon
BY: Oriondriver02 on 2011-03-30 9:01 AM

No issues... take a look at the 4th photo down... http://oriondriver.blogspot.com/2011/03/powerman-alabama-multisport-weekend.html

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Scott
______________________________________
Attitude trumps pain!
Unless you are the lead dog... the view is always the same!