Greetings all.

We're in the midst of replacing my 9yr old son's bike. He likes the 3700 Trek, (which is a tad more than I'd intended to spend), which in the 13" frame suits him fine. My wonder is whether this fast growing kid will outgrow it too soon. We're thinking that this will be his til high school bike. Any thoughts?

And while I'm at it- dad (that's me at slightly overweight and 43) is looking for a bike meant primarily for fitness. Been looking at Trek FX line. Gets kinda pricey though. I'd just assume a bike as pay a gym membership.

Thanks,
John

Based on my experience as a dad I can tell you that the bike should last at least a couple of years depending on how fast the kid grows. You may need to do some adjustments in the cockpit but should be minimal or none.

The Trek 3K series are good starting bikes but are on the heavy side, that's the bike model that we sell more on the shop that I part time in on Saturdays.

For the 43 y/o overwight dad (that's you?) get a similar bike (or a road bike) and a heart rate monitor, try to do long rides at a confortable pace not exeeding 80% of your HR. That will help you loose weight.

And stop eating candy and sodas.

Thanks DD for "all" you said- even the candy and soda thing.

John

If you don't mind responding- I have looked at the 7.2 fx by Trek and the Jamis Coda for a fitness bike. I like the Jamis a bit better, but it's $200 more. Is it worth the extra cash?

John,

I'm not familiar with that kind bike but will try to make a good recommendation based on the specs.

Trek FX2
Frameset
Sizes 15, 17.5, 20, 22.5, 25"; Women's 15, 17, 20"
Frame Alpha SL Aluminum
Fork High tensile steel w/lowrider mounts, straight blades
Wheels
Wheels Alloy front, Shimano RM60 rear hub; Matrix 750 rims
Tires Bontrager Invert Puncture Resistant, 700x35c
Drivetrain
Shifters Shimano EF50, 8 speed
Front Derailleur Shimano C102
Rear Derailleur Shimano Alivio
Crank Shimano TX71 48/38/28 w/chainguard
Cassette SRAM PG830 11-32, 8 speed
Pedals Nylon platform w/alloy cage
Components
Saddle Bontrager Sport (women's: Bontrager Select FIT)
Seat Post Alloy adjustable suspension
Handlebars Bontrager Crowbar Sport
Stem Alloy Aheadset, adjustable rise
Headset Aheadset Slimstak w/semi-cartridge bearings, sealed
Brakeset Tektro V w/Shimano EF50 levers

Jamis Coda
FRAME
Reynolds 520 double-butted chromoly main tubes, reinforced head tube collars, double tapered cromo stays, forged dropouts with eyelets.
FORK Chromoly unicrown, bulge butted steerer, low rider braze-ons, double eyelets.
HEADSET Aheadset, steel, 1 1/8”.
WHEELSET Alex DC19 alloy double-wall rims, 700c, 32H, Formula sealed alloy QR hubs,14g stainless steel spokes.
TIRES Hutchinson Flash, 700 x 28C .
DERAILLEURS SRAM SX4 rear, Shimano C51 bottom pull front.
SHIFTERS SRAM SX4 Unilever trigger-shift, 24-speed.
CHAIN KMC IG31.
FREEWHEEL SRAM PowerGlide 830, 8-speed, 11-32.
CRANKSET TruVativ IsoFlow, 48/38/28,
170mm (16-17.5”),
175mm (19.5-23”).
BOTTOM BRACKET Sealed cartridge BB, 68 x 113mm
PEDALS Platform type, steel cage/resin body.
BRAKESET Tektro SD3 direct pull brakes with power modulator and Tektro alloy V-brake levers.
HANDLEBAR Alloy bar, 6061 T-6, 5° bend x 580mm width.
STEM Alloy Adjustable,
100mm (16 - 17.5”),
120mm° (19.5 - 23”).
GRIPS WTB Street Smart with reflective end plugs.
SEATPOST Suspension, 45mm travel, 350mm x 27.2, alloy clamp with QR seatpin.
Reynolds 520 double-butted chromoly main tubes, reinforced head tube collars, double tapered cromo stays, forged dropouts with eyelets.
FORK Chromoly unicrown, bulge butted steerer, low rider braze-ons, double eyelets.
HEADSET Aheadset, steel, 1 1/8”.
WHEELSET Alex DC19 alloy double-wall rims, 700c, 32H, Formula sealed alloy QR hubs,14g stainless steel spokes.
TIRES Hutchinson Flash, 700 x 28C .
DERAILLEURS SRAM SX4 rear, Shimano C51 bottom pull front.
SHIFTERS SRAM SX4 Unilever trigger-shift, 24-speed.
CHAIN KMC IG31.
FREEWHEEL SRAM PowerGlide 830, 8-speed, 11-32.
CRANKSET TruVativ IsoFlow, 48/38/28,
170mm (16-17.5”),
175mm (19.5-23”).
BOTTOM BRACKET Sealed cartridge BB, 68 x 113mm
PEDALS Platform type, steel cage/resin body.
BRAKESET Tektro SD3 direct pull brakes with power modulator and Tektro alloy V-brake levers.
HANDLEBAR Alloy bar, 6061 T-6, 5° bend x 580mm width.
STEM Alloy Adjustable,
100mm (16 - 17.5”),
120mm° (19.5 - 23”).
GRIPS WTB Street Smart with reflective end plugs.
SEATPOST Suspension, 45mm travel, 350mm x 27.2, alloy clamp with QR seatpin.

The Jamis looks a bit better cosmetically and for $200 more you get a bit better components but the frame will need some TLC in order to last. CroMo rides nicelly (better than Al) but can get rust, there are some products available (Frame Saver, Boeshield) that you can use to treat the internal part of the tubes.

IMO the Jamis is a better buy but will recommend you a 3700 for yourself. It's a bit more rugged and you'll be riding the same bike as your kid eaning cool dad points.

Put some slicks to it and you're good to go.

Cool dad points are always good. Thanks man.

John

Cool dad points are always good. Thanks man.

John

No problem, glad to help.