20" Road bike

09002211
Posts: 7
Joined: Sat Jan 19, 2013 10:07 pm

20" Road bike

Postby 09002211 » Sat Jan 19, 2013 10:36 pm

Hi my name is Rob, I'm new to the forum and looking for some advice.
I'm trying to purchase a decent 20" kids bike for my 7yo daughter to join in on longer rides. Looking for something light and road orientated, flat bar, skinny tires and 7 speed, no suspension. At present she on a modified Avanti Diana, but it's just not a bike that gets up to any speed. I realise she will outgrow it soon, but she is so keen on cycling it's worth the spend. I recently went through the same exercise with my 10yo, most people said she's only a kid, doesn't need anything flash, MTB is plenty and all that. I found a ladies XS Avanti Aria 3, 7005 ultra light alloy frame, carbon fork and 700c wheels. With some adjustment by the bike shop ( neck, levers, seat) she now chews up beach road and loves it, I am surprised how much speed she now holds.
So now I need something faster for the 7yo as they are both getting frustrated with her speed.
So far I have only found one that fits the bill, the Fuji Ace 20. Is there any other model I can look/compare?
I am struggling to find anything else for sale in AU, any help is appreciated.

User avatar
jacks1071
Posts: 3068
Joined: Thu Aug 20, 2009 9:47 pm
Location: Mackay, QLD
Contact:

Re: 20" Road bike

Postby jacks1071 » Sun Jan 20, 2013 9:27 pm

If you'd consider a 24" I think we have one only left in stock. You'll have to check the geometry and make your own decision if your child would fit the bike but we have pleanty of 7/8yo kids on them.

The 20" Fuji's are great value, we have one for my 5yo son. Not nearly in the same league as the Pro-Lite though in terms of quality and weight.

Image

http://www.pro-liteoz.com/store/index.p ... roductId=6" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Our Website is: http://www.kotavelo.com.au" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; Find us on Facebook by searching for "Kotavelo"

User avatar
MattyK
Posts: 3252
Joined: Fri Oct 01, 2010 1:07 pm
Location: Melbourne

Re: 20" Road bike

Postby MattyK » Sun Jan 20, 2013 10:39 pm

Hillbrick
http://www.hillbrick.com.au/bars-a-grip ... gory_id=52" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.bikeexchange.com.au/bicycles ... /102147376" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

ByK E450x7
(maybe with skinnier tyres)
http://www.bykbikes.com/kids-bike-range ... -bike.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Cervelo
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Cervelo-team ... 337e8f8de6" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Islabikes
http://www.islabikes.co.uk/bike_pages/beinn20lrg.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; or
http://www.islabikes.co.uk/bike_pages/beinn24.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.islabikes.co.uk/bike_pages/luath24.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Mods: Should this thread be in the kids bike foirum?

User avatar
Mulger bill
Super Mod
Super Mod
Posts: 29060
Joined: Sun Sep 24, 2006 2:41 pm
Location: Sunbury Vic

Re: 20" Road bike

Postby Mulger bill » Sun Jan 20, 2013 11:47 pm

Methinks you may be right Matty...

Shaun
...whatever the road rules, self-preservation is the absolute priority for a cyclist when mixing it with motorised traffic.
London Boy 29/12/2011

User avatar
MattyK
Posts: 3252
Joined: Fri Oct 01, 2010 1:07 pm
Location: Melbourne

Re: 20" Road bike

Postby MattyK » Tue Jan 22, 2013 10:57 am

Or bring your chequebook...
http://www.bikerumor.com/2010/04/02/kir ... hlon-bike/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

09002211
Posts: 7
Joined: Sat Jan 19, 2013 10:07 pm

Re: 20" Road bike

Postby 09002211 » Wed Jan 23, 2013 9:24 am

Thanks for your replys.
The ProLite looks awesome, thakns for the link. I have measured my daugter according to the photos with dimmensions, she looks still too small for the 24", shame, cos I really want it in my garage.

Can I ask some questions about it:
1. Is there anywhere where I can view the bike, or is it online sale only?
2. Since it's custom built, can the bike be set up with flatbar and MTB rapid shifters, my 10yo loves them. (considering the current setup on your website photos, may not have the mounts to run the cable?)

Thank you, its a great looking bike and one will definately end up in my garage in near future.

User avatar
MattyK
Posts: 3252
Joined: Fri Oct 01, 2010 1:07 pm
Location: Melbourne

Re: 20" Road bike

Postby MattyK » Wed Jan 23, 2013 1:20 pm

Would this fit the bill (flat bar 24"):
http://avantibikes.com/nz/bikes/road/sp ... /blade-jr/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Size chart suggests minimum height is about 154cm to fit on it, which is a typical 12 year old. But the size/shape overall seems similar to the Prolite...

09002211
Posts: 7
Joined: Sat Jan 19, 2013 10:07 pm

Re: 20" Road bike

Postby 09002211 » Wed Jan 23, 2013 2:49 pm

Hi MattyK
Yes, more than fits the bill, Its exactly what i was lookinh for.
Just shot out to Ray's around the corner and measured it out, it's 20mm higher that her standover size, I will take her into the shop to make sure, but I think it will fit her nicely.
And it looks like her big sister's bike, an added bonus.
Thanks for your help.

User avatar
jacks1071
Posts: 3068
Joined: Thu Aug 20, 2009 9:47 pm
Location: Mackay, QLD
Contact:

Re: 20" Road bike

Postby jacks1071 » Wed Jan 23, 2013 4:01 pm

09002211 wrote:Thanks for your replys.
The ProLite looks awesome, thakns for the link. I have measured my daugter according to the photos with dimmensions, she looks still too small for the 24", shame, cos I really want it in my garage.

Can I ask some questions about it:
1. Is there anywhere where I can view the bike, or is it online sale only?
2. Since it's custom built, can the bike be set up with flatbar and MTB rapid shifters, my 10yo loves them. (considering the current setup on your website photos, may not have the mounts to run the cable?)

Thank you, its a great looking bike and one will definately end up in my garage in near future.
If you saw how much the shops were trying to sell them for, you'd understand why we went on-line only with them...

I'm not sure if you're in a position to buy one to hold onto until your daughter is big enough, there is only one left in the 24" size and I have no immediate plans to bring another shipment of them in.

You could change it to a flat bar if you wanted although I wouldn't recommend it. You've got a lot more hand positions on the drop bars and the levers we use are quite good for little hands, plus the kids enjoy having a bike that looks just like Dad's.
Our Website is: http://www.kotavelo.com.au" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; Find us on Facebook by searching for "Kotavelo"

User avatar
MattyK
Posts: 3252
Joined: Fri Oct 01, 2010 1:07 pm
Location: Melbourne

Re: 20" Road bike

Postby MattyK » Fri Jan 25, 2013 2:48 pm

One more thought was a mini race BMX, eg
http://www.redlinebicycles.com/bikes/bm ... oline-mini" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Image
Single speed, but the low weight may compensate for that...
Saddle might need changing, add a front brake, would make a swift road machine.

09002211
Posts: 7
Joined: Sat Jan 19, 2013 10:07 pm

Re: 20" Road bike

Postby 09002211 » Mon Jan 28, 2013 4:31 pm

Wow, 6.8kg, definitely worth looking at.

User avatar
MattyK
Posts: 3252
Joined: Fri Oct 01, 2010 1:07 pm
Location: Melbourne

Re: 20" Road bike

Postby MattyK » Tue Jan 29, 2013 10:31 am

6.3kg for the Flight series model 8) (which will also lighten your wallet considerably too)

09002211
Posts: 7
Joined: Sat Jan 19, 2013 10:07 pm

Re: 20" Road bike

Postby 09002211 » Tue Jan 29, 2013 11:35 pm

It certainly would lighten my wallet, about a dollar for every gram, to be exact.
The Blade Jr seems like the winner so far, would you know the weight?

User avatar
MattyK
Posts: 3252
Joined: Fri Oct 01, 2010 1:07 pm
Location: Melbourne

Re: 20" Road bike

Postby MattyK » Wed Jan 30, 2013 10:47 am

No idea, google doesn't help. I'd guess about 10 kg.

User avatar
MattyK
Posts: 3252
Joined: Fri Oct 01, 2010 1:07 pm
Location: Melbourne

Re: 20" Road bike

Postby MattyK » Wed Jan 30, 2013 12:10 pm

Another 20" roadie from Culprit
http://www.bikerumor.com/2012/08/18/cul ... mall-fast/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.culpritbicycles.com/junior1m2.php" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

09002211
Posts: 7
Joined: Sat Jan 19, 2013 10:07 pm

Re: 20" Road bike

Postby 09002211 » Tue Oct 29, 2013 12:27 pm

Hi MattyK
Sorry, completely forgot to thank you for your help.
Bought my daughter the Avanti Blade Jr some time ago, you nailed it with this bike, perfect for wht i was looking for (except the steel fork).
She loves it, makes a huge difference, the 8yo is on the Blade Jr and the 10yo is on the Aria 3 (XS), they are wrapped cos both have same brand.
I read a lot of posts that say dont worry about the weight for kids, blah, blah, makes no difference, blah, blah, it is a false opinon, from experience it make a huge difference in speed, even more for a kid than an adult. She got on her old bike and has forgotten how hard to padle that thing was.
Great advice, we love it.

User avatar
MattyK
Posts: 3252
Joined: Fri Oct 01, 2010 1:07 pm
Location: Melbourne

Re: 20" Road bike

Postby MattyK » Tue Oct 29, 2013 3:31 pm

Glad I could be of assistance :)

09002211
Posts: 7
Joined: Sat Jan 19, 2013 10:07 pm

Re: 20" Road bike

Postby 09002211 » Wed Oct 30, 2013 1:22 pm

If i could ask for one more piece of advice.
I noticed that she is still a little stretched out on the Blade Jr, seat is moved forward, but I think a shorter stem would make the position more comfortable for longer rides.
Question is, if I go from the 70mm to a 50mm, would that make the steering too agile or ustable?
I understand how the length of the stem/arch makes for slower / less agile steering but not how much in apractical sense.
Would you have any concerns with going to a 50mm? I know its 10mm shorter than any stem issued on any bike form factory, just dont have a clue on how drastic the difference is.

User avatar
MattyK
Posts: 3252
Joined: Fri Oct 01, 2010 1:07 pm
Location: Melbourne

Re: 20" Road bike

Postby MattyK » Thu Oct 31, 2013 12:50 am

It probably wouldn't hurt. Look at some MTB or bmx stems if you want one that's short. But is the issue the stem reach or height? A shorter stem may not really change the angle of the torso, which is what I assume you're trying to achieve. A stem with more rise (or an adjustable angle one) might be more suitable

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users