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KnowNothing
02-01-07, 09:15 AM
Hello all,

I know little to nothing about road bikes. My youngest has grown up around 5 athletic siblings and has picked up the best from each of them. He is strong in the water, runs well for a 6 year old and is great on him MTB (40 miles rides in the summer are a weekly deal). He wants to step into a coulpe of junior Tris or duathalons as soon as we find ones for his age....

Stats- My son just turned 6, has a 58 cm inseam and is 52" tall. He averaged 85 miles a week on his MTB last summer (down to 20 miles on the trainer). We did take him to a local shop for fitting and he was well suited for the Specialized Allez with regards to step over, reach to the bars, etc.

In finding him a road bike for this coming spring, I realize how little we know.... We don't know anyone who can make comparisons on pluses and minuses of any of the below bikes and what might be a good value... Any guidance would be greatlyappreciated.

Models I could find for youths---


Trek KDR 1000 24"--$620 locally


Specialized Allez Jr Dbl.---$550
FORK Specialized FACT monocoque carbon fork legs, crown, and steerer with Zertz inserts

HEADSET Specialized Mindset Plus, 1 1/8" integrated threadless, sealed stainless steel cartridge bearings, carbon 20mm cone with two 5mm alloy spacers

STEM S-Works FACT carbon stem, magnesium face plate, 31.8mm clamp

HANDLEBARS S-Works FACT carbon aero handlebar, racing drop, ergo/aero shaping, 31.8mm clamp

TAPE Body Geometry Bar Phat, cork ribbon w/2.5mm gel padding

FRONT BRAKE Shimano Dura-Ace

REAR BRAKE Shimano Dura-Ace

BRAKE LEVERS Shimano Dura-Ace, 10-speed, STI, flight deck compatible

FRONT DERAILLEUR Shimano Dura-Ace, 31.8mm clamp, bottom pull

REAR DERAILLEUR Shimano Dura-Ace, short cage

SHIFT LEVERS Shimano Dura-Ace, 10-speed, STI, flight deck compatible

CASSETTE Shimano Dura-Ace, 12-27t

CHAIN Shimano Dura-Ace, 10-speed

CRANKSET Shimano Dura-Ace, double crankset, Hollowtech II 2-piece design

CHAINRINGS 53x39T

BOTTOM BRACKET Shimano Dura-Ace, Hollowtech II

PEDALS Composite-body test ride pedals

RIMS Shimano Dura-Ace, sleeve-joint and machined aluminum rim, silver

FRONT HUB Shimano Dura-Ace, 16 hole, Shimano QR

REAR HUB Shimano Dura-Ace, 20 hole, aluminum freehub body, Shimano QR

SPOKES Stainless 14/15g butted aero

FRONT TIRE Specialized Mondo Pro, 700x23C, aramid bead, 120TPI

REAR TIRE Specialized Mondo Pro, 700x23C, aramid bead, 120TPI

TUBES Specialized standard presta tube, 0.9mm thickness

SADDLE Body Geometry Alias, carbon reinfoced base, hollow titanium rails, microfiber cover

SEAT POST Specialized Pavé FACT carbon seatpost with Zertz insert, 27.2mm

SEAT BINDER Specialized, forged/CNC, double wedge


Pennarole Zircone---$700 22" or 24"
Frame Alum.7005 Double butted Pennarola
Weight: 1.38 kg
Fork CR.MO. Pennarola
Painting Colours: Red or Yellow or Blue
Rims F.I.R. (Italia) 32 holes
Spokes Inox ACI (Alpina) Ø2mm
Inner tubes Cheng Shin (26“)
Paraniples Vittoria (26”)
Tires Vittoria Rubino (26”)
Vittoria Tubolar Juniores (22”/24”)
Stem Modolo (Italia) MO18
By choice: sizes 70/90/110
Handlebar Modolo (Italia) Venus
By choice : sizes 34/36/38/40
Tape Cork Pennarola
Seat post Aluminium Ø27.2
Saddle Selle Italia Junior
Bottle Pennarola
Bottle-cage Aluminium
Mechanical Group Campagnolo: Xenon & Miche 9v
Pedals Not included
Hubs front./rear. Miche 32H
Rear Derailleur Campagnolo Xenon 9 speed
Front Derailleur Campagnolo Xenon 9 speed
Dual control lever Campagnolo Xenon Ergopower
Crank set Miche 125 35/39 (22”)
Miche 145 36/42 (24”)
Miche 165 38/44 (26”)
Bottom bracket Miche or VP
Sprokets Miche 17/25 – 9 speed
Brakes Miche Performance
Chain Miche 9 speed

Felt F24---$650
SIZES 24" Wheel x 40cm
FRAME Felt F-Lite 7005 Alloy Frame, Butted Main Tubes with Forged Dropout & Replaceable Hanger.
FORK Carbon blades with 1-1/8" CrMo steerer and Alloy Crown
HEADSET Aheadset 1-1/8"
STEM FELT 1.2 6061 Alumnim 3D Forged with 7° Rise, 80cm
HANDLEBAR Felt Ø26mm 6061 Alloy with Ergonomic Drop, 26.0mm, 370mm
GRIPS: Felt Gel Ribbon Tape with FELT 3D Logo
SHIFTERS Shimano, 24 speed
F/DERAILLEUR Shimano Sora
R/DERAILLEUR Shimano Sora
CRANKSET Sugino XD-2200, 2-PC Alloy, 50/38T, 160mm
BB SET FSA Cartridge with CRMO JIS Spindle
CHAIN Z8 8-Speed
FREEWHEEL Shimano 8-Speed Cassette, 12-23T
BRAKE LEVERS Shimano Sora Dual Control w/Tektro top mount levers
BRAKES Dual Pivot, Cartridge Brake Shoes, Stainless Hardware and Teflon Bushings
SADDLE: Felt JR Racing
SEAT POST FELT Alloy Micro Adjust, 27.0mm, 250mm
F/HUB Felt sealed alloy QR
R/HUB Felt sealed alloy QR, cassette, black
RIMS 24 x 1" Alex w/CNC sides
TIRE 24 x 1" Kenda Koncept with Flat Protection
SPOKES Stainless 15G
PEDALS Dual Pedals, Alloy Clipless One Side Flat other Side

Argon 18 D-2---$480------Lite on information
Sunrace Components
Argon 18 offers small --but real-- racing bikes for small --but real-- budding athletes.

Geometry, crank length, components, all have been adapted in order to let tomorrow’s champs ride real race bikes today.

24'' Wheels

Color and frame Aluminum
Aluminum
Weight: 1285g

Carbon
Aluminum
Weight: 472g

Features Benefits Geometry
Thermo Tech 1005 Series aluminum frame

Light and stiff, enhances performance.


HDS design Optimally balanced rigidity, light weight and comfort. Increased stiffness of frame sections stressed by power transfer.


AFS design (for 650c or 24’’ wheels) Specially adapted geometry for kids.


Carbon fork

Clip-and-strap pedals Require no special shoes.


Aluminum alloy crankset, stem, handlebar and seatpost

Reduced weight.
Cold-forged dropouts with replaceable derailleur hanger

Repairable in case of accident.

All giudance would be appreciated.

Phantoj
02-01-07, 09:51 AM
Redline Conquest 24 is a 24" cyclocross bike that could be used on the road.

Cheapest option might be: http://www.chucksbikes.com/store/cbpihta.htm

GamecockTaco
02-01-07, 02:47 PM
my 6 year old got a Felt F24 for Christmas and absolutely loves it.

A little shaky on the skinny tires still, but he's getting better with each and every ride.

masiman
02-01-07, 03:39 PM
The Felt, Trek and Specialized are very nice bikes. I would be wary of the Argon with so little information, but someone may be able to vouch for them. The Pennarola looked nice but I am not familiar with them. They appear to not have alot of NA distribution but more in Europe. The Allez seems like a steal with that gruppo (components). If that is really what you get with that frame, you would probably want to keep the gruppo and look for a new frame when the time comes. You would only need to buy the frame, headset and wheels. Maybe some other parts depending on the frame but that would pretty much cover it.

Unfortunately he will likely only fit it for a 1-3 years, depending on how fast he grows. Too bad you don't have any more behind him that could get use from the bike. In any case, I don't think you could go wrong with any of those bikes. You would definetly would get a better value in the used market. There was someone on here I think who was looking to sell a KDR. Let your little pick the one that feels best, that will be key for doing longer miles.

Good luck. Let us know what you decide and your thoughts on the bike.