zeroderby

Not sure if this is the right forum, if not let me know. I want to lighten my daughters Trek MT 220. Not that it is that heavy for a kids bike. What are the first 3 things I should do? I am thinking tires, seat post and then not really sure. I am not sure where to look for lighter tires, any advice there would be great. I would really appreciate brands and where to buy.

Thanks.

Here are some of the specs:

Frame Alpha White Aluminum
Front Suspension Dialed SR Suntour, 50mm
Wheels Aluminum hubs; 32 hole, alloy 24" rims
Tires Bontrager Connection, 24x2.0"
Drivetrain
Shifters SRAM 3.0 Dialed, 7 speed
Front Derailleur Suntour Dialed XCM
Rear Derailleur SRAM 3.0
Crank Dialed 42/34/24, adjustable length
Cassette Shimano 14-28, 7 speed
Pedals Dialed 24" size, platform
Saddle Dialed 24" size, padded
Seat Post Steel w/Dialed height indicator
Handlebars Alloy 30mm rise
Stem Bontrager Approved, 15 degree
Headset Aheadset w/semi-cartridge bearings, sealed
Brakeset Alloy linear pull w/Dialed alloy levers
Extras Rear derailleur protector
Components SRAM 21-speed shifting

jimmythefly

If new: return to store and get them to order a 24" wheeled version of their hybrid, the KDR 7.2FX

https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes..._9_12/kdr72fx/

Even if it's not new, consider selling it and getting somethign similiar. The MT220 you have has an aluminum frame and aluminum wheels and a threadless ehadset, which are all good things. The suspension fork is a significant amount of weight, and unless you're up for doing a fork swap yourself, just sell it and look for a kids bike with a rigid fork. Your LBS can help with tires, etc.

Bill Kapaun

The fact it has 24" tires also limits you considerably regarding tires.

mtnbiker4791

Is it a 2007 model year because trek shaved about 4 or 5 punds off hte 2008 220. the biggest place where you can shave wieght without getting rid of the fork is the bottom bracket and cranks. It comes with a fairly low end bb thats heavy and so are the cranks. Depending on how much you want to spend look for a light bb and crankset.

HillRider

The suspension fork is both ineffective and heavy. Unless your daughter is doing a lot of true off-road (I don't mean rail-trails) riding a rigid fork would be a lot lighter. If she is, she need a better fork anyway. Tires could be a weight saving if you can find them in 24". The seatpost change will save an insignificant amount.

You can put a great deal of money into what you have and still have a fairly heavy, but now expensive, bike. It would be much more cost effective to get her a better bike altogether.

BCRider

Definetly more cost effective to just get a lighter bike.

Most kids I know don't really feel the effort of dragging around an extra 5 lbs anyway.

If you do want something lighter and considering the postion of the saddle is telling me that she is quite small for this size of bike I would suggest one of the lightweight racing BMX bikes. It will probably fit her better and they are almost helium ballon class light.

Torchy McFlux

Kenda makes a folding bead 24x2.3 version of the K-Rad. They're probably sub-550g each.

zeroderby

I can appreciate the idea that getting a different bike would be cheaper/easier and that there are better bikes but this is the one she liked. I am just looking for any way I can get her to enjoy it more.

zeroderby

Can I tell from looking at it which year it is?

zeroderby

This is her first bike with hand brakes and gears so we will take it slowly as far as the trails go. We do have some nice trails close so it won't be long until we are riding those.

Are there really any options when it comes to suspension forks on bikes this small?

zeroderby

But would any other bike be purple with flowers? This is the one she liked. You know how kids are.

zeroderby

I will check that out, thanks.

zeroderby

mtnbiker4791, I just weighed it and it wieghs about 27lbs, would that give any indication that it is a 2007 or 2008 model?

Thanks.