XCSKIBUM

WE took my 7 year old granddaughter on a camping trip over the later part of last week. We camped at Cranberry Lake State (New York) Campground and Kennedi got to ride her little 16" "character bike" on some pretty steep hills around the campground.

Her bike was a freebie that was left at a neighbor's mailbox which is common up here when someone wants to give something away. She got off the training wheels this spring & she was really cranking along well considering that the bike is NOT built with any sort of quality. The bearings in the BB wouldn't tighten up without drag, but she pedaled right along anyway & I could hear the squeaking of the BB as she chased me along the trails. The other kids in adjacent site had BMX bikes with handbrakes so she wanted a bike with a handbrake.

I just ordered this from Amazon. It's a Diamondback "Insight" 20 "performance hybrid" bike.





The following PIX are of the green 2016 model but show the same construction.





I did a lot of research over the last few days and here is why I settled on this particular bike. (aside from the $200 price tag)

This is going to be a bike for all of the grand children to ride when they are visiting or camping with us so I wanted a bike that wasn't so "gender specific". The 2015 model is silver/gray color & will suit either my granddaughter or either of my grandsons that are now 5 and 3 years old when they "grow into it".

Since she wanted a handbrake it only made sense to get something with gears that could be used as a single speed for the time being until she learns how to shift.

I wanted a rigid front fork. to keep weight down.

The frame is "lightweight" construction of aluminum and has a replaceable derailleur hanger..

It has an alloy seat post.

7-speed Shimano freewheel cogs with twist-grip shifter will allow the little ones to get used to "gears"

The tires are not aggressive knobbies and should be well suited for riding on pavement as well as gravel/dirt.

Here are the specs;


Sizes: Boys/20"

Frame: Insight 20" Light Jr. Alloy Frame w/ Replaceable Hanger

Fork: Clarity Jr. Steel Straight Blade

Headset: Threaded 1 1/8"

Cranks 155mm Alloy 42T w/ Chainguard

Bottom Bracket: Square Taper - 5pc

F. Derailleur:

R. Derailleur: Shimano Tourney TY300, 7 Speed

Shifter: Shimano RS35 Revo 7 Speed Twist Shift

Cogset Shimano Tourney TZ21 7 Speed Freewheel,14-28T

Chain: KMC Z51, 7 Speed

Brakes: Alloy Linear

Brake Levers: Alloy Linear w/ Reach Adjust

Front Hub: 32h Nutted

Rear Hub: 32h Nutted, Freewheel

Spokes: 14g Steel

Rims: 32h R-1000 Alloy

Tires: Kenda K-184, 20x1 3/8" (37-440)

Handlebar: Steel Jr Riser

Grips: DB Kraton

Stem: Alloy Quill

Seatpost Alloy Micro Adjust 27.2mm

Seat: Jr Padded 2 panel

Colors: Silver/Gray

Extras: Owners Manual, Assembly Guide, Tool Kit*


I think it will serve as a transition bike until they grow and mature into a bigger size. Perhaps when the oldest boy is ready to ride it, she will be big enough for a 24" bike.

XCSKIBUM

Well I decided to upgrade to a BETTER BIKE for the grandchildren that will address both issues mentioned above.

It already has a 32t chainring & an 11-32t 8 speed cassette. The SRAM X-4 rear derailleur will make an easy swap for an x-4 trigger shifter.