Track Bike, where can I find one ?

[Cyclopsx]

Hi, I am after a track bike for a 9 year old.
Our Club bikes aren't an option, too small, they are 24" wheels and in very average condition, even then it's a showtime fight to get your hands on one lol.

I intended to buy a new bike but with how limited the season is and only a handful of races that isn't a rational option.
The only new bikes I can find are over $1400 and by the time the next season comes around we would be up for a new one (kids grow fast).
The other problem is sizing, it's almost impossible to find a track bike with 700cc wheels under 52cm. He currently rides an EMC2 sm so I am after something around 46/48cm.
I know he will be very competitive on the Velodrome on the right equipment, he was top 5 Australia in his age group in BMX and second in Qld for Road Cycling.
He missed out on riding track last year because of the lack of a suitable bike and if he misses out again this year he will be devastated.
Incidentally he wasn't the only one to miss out on riding track because of a lack of finding a bike, I know quite a few other kids in the same predicament.

So if anyone out there has a bike their child has outgrown or knows of one that might be suitable and are willing to sell please let me know.

Any advice will be greatly appreciated.

[bigfriendlyvegan]

For a new one, try Pro-Lite (they're in QLD) who sell a very nice junior bike. Deon is on the forums and probably has an alert set for when anyone mentions his name, but he supplies many track bikes to our club including junior ones. We've had to resort to stickering our bikes to tell one pro-lite from another, there's so many of them.

ALternately, in the current LACC newsletter:
This one looks very small from the pics ->

FOR SALE
Jim Bundy Track Bike, in very good condition.
Raced at LACC 2009/10 but it has been out grown.
Not sure of the actual size, but it has race legal gears etc. $400 or best offer.

Contact: Steven Brett 0434 171 444 or [email protected]

This one sounds right if your son is tall ->

FOR SALE
Track Bike (Junior size, suits 12-14 year olds)
“PACONI” frame, white in colour, measuring 45cm c/c high, and 50cm c/c long.
It’s fitted with Sugino BB/crank (165mm) and running Suzue rear and Campag front hubs and 700c rims.
The bike is in fair condition and rides like the wind! $370 ono
Contact: Colin - 0413 382 675 – [email protected]

These guys are in Sydney, but they might send it if you ask nicely and include beer money.

[DavidI]

Can I ask why it needs to be 700c? smaller wheels are still legal...
Putting that aside, Fuji list their "Classic" in sizes as small as 43cm and a RRP of $549. Technically it's a road going fixie/single speed but take off the brakes and you'd be all set. Honestly wouldn't notice the difference in handling and there's no performance disadvantage to it being a cromoly frame; just might not be as "cool" but hey, you never know.....
I haven't had much of a search, but thanks to the hipster fixie craze I'm sure there'd be a few other options in that price range if you're willing to settle for a steel/moly frame. My old steel track bike is no slower now than it was when I bought it 20 years ago.

[brades68]

My 8yr Daughter is riding the Fuji Classic, she needs help to get on and off it at the moment, but it'll do her for a few years both track and road.

Cheers
Mick

[jacks1071]

Hi, I am after a track bike for a 9 year old.
Our Club bikes aren't an option, too small, they are 24" wheels and in very average condition, even then it's a showtime fight to get your hands on one lol.

I intended to buy a new bike but with how limited the season is and only a handful of races that isn't a rational option.
The only new bikes I can find are over $1400 and by the time the next season comes around we would be up for a new one (kids grow fast).
The other problem is sizing, it's almost impossible to find a track bike with 700cc wheels under 52cm. He currently rides an EMC2 sm so I am after something around 46/48cm.
I know he will be very competitive on the Velodrome on the right equipment, he was top 5 Australia in his age group in BMX and second in Qld for Road Cycling.
He missed out on riding track last year because of the lack of a suitable bike and if he misses out again this year he will be devastated.
Incidentally he wasn't the only one to miss out on riding track because of a lack of finding a bike, I know quite a few other kids in the same predicament.

So if anyone out there has a bike their child has outgrown or knows of one that might be suitable and are willing to sell please let me know.

Any advice will be greatly appreciated.

I'll have some more of these comming but I don't have a firm ETA yet, most likely December 2012 or January 2013. Not sure if you can get a loan of something to keep you going in the meantime?

http://www.pro-liteoz.com/store/index.p ... oductId=72

[Cyclopsx]

Thanks for the replies and suggestions, much appreciated.
For one reason or another, mainly the bikes were too large none worked out.
However I finally got lucky and found an as new Giant Omnium (s) on ebay which matched all my expectations. A long search is finally over

The cost was $613 so I'm very happy.