tclong03

I know saving money is a big deal for our family, but I can still remember every detail of the day that I got a new bike when I was a kid. I would like to have my boy have the same kind of memories. We will just have to see what comes along.

Wanderer

I wouldn't hesitate, at all, on using the possibility to get better prices from dealers. Especially for immediate family.

If I was the dealer, I'd be happy to see more bikes out there with my name on them.

Take advantage of any perks you have coming - it's part of your renumeration..... LOL

ummbnb

Well I believe we have success!! The H is on his way to pick up this bike via CL for $60!

https://www.raleighusa.com/bikes/yout...uth/mtn-scout/

It might be slightly big but I imagine by next spring it will be fine. We're going to store it until either xmas or birthday.

AndrewP

My 6 yr old granddaughter has a 24" wheel Giant with grip shifters. Her hands are not strong enough to turn the twist grips, so I had to do the downshifts for her when we were about to go up a hill. Would trigger shifters or old style SIS thumb shifters be easier to operate for children who have still to develop a strong grip?

masiman

The effort level of twist shifters seems to be a common problem area for kids. Trigger shifters are far easier in my experience. Thumb shifters can sometimes be stiff. I have two 20" kids bikes. One is Grip-Shift the other Shimano EZ Fire trigger shifters. The trigger are hands down more usable by the kids. The Grip-Shift is bad enough that I just purchased a replacement brake/trigger shifter. The brake levers won't match but I don't care about that because this bike will only be used for another year or two. The 5 year old should easily be able to use the new trigger shifter. I currently do the same as you and have to shift for them when we stop. Typically kids end up in the higher gears because the shifter usually works fairly easily in the direction.

You can buy shifter pods on ebay quite easily. They generally run $32-40 for Shimano Alivio. If you go the pod route, you will likely need to replace the grip(s) because the twist shifters use a cut down grip. I don't know of any 20" bikes that are front and rear geared only rear. If you are in that boat you could try to wait for just a rear to show up on ebay but you might be waiting a while. If you do the ebay route go to the Mountain Bike Parts section, search on "7 speed shifter". You will find plenty of SRAM and Shimano pods to choose from, just skip over the twist stuff. If you know what you want you can clarify it down to SRAM or Shimano. I simplified my searches by focusing on Shimano.

If you know that you won't be able to reuse the grip it is easiest to cut it off, one cut from the shifter to the outside tip. Try not to press too hard so that you minimize cutting the bar itself (aesthetics). To put on a new grip I recommend using hairspray. Soap and oils will remain for a long time, hairspray will evaporate fairly quickly and will provide some tack to keep the grip in place. If you want to reuse the grip, work a thin shim (I have a dental pick wax carving set I use for this) under the grip and spray in some hairspray. Work it back and forth until the whole grip is slipping on the bar. Do what you need to do, clean the bar and grip, reapply hairspray to the bar and inside the grip. It will slip right on. After about a day it should be set. You can even use the technique to salvage the unused grip and sell or keep as a spare part.

pferreira

I incorporate my 3 boysroad-bike.jpgpanorama.jpg into my cycling... The 17 years old is now more independent and goes ridding with me sometimes (now he prefers girls). Lucas, the 6 year hold is the cyclist of the family after me!

I just bought him 2 bicycles to replace the older one he outgrew... I got him a MTN bike and a road bike. My wife also rides and we have 2 bike trailers for the baby and stuff we might carry on a longer trip.

1Echo

I know this is an older thread but maybe this will help someone looking in the future. Specialized makes a bike that fits this need very nicely but most bike shops still aren't even aware its out there and you'll never see it in stock. Look up the HotRock 24 Street. The frame is small and kids who can ride a 20" can easliy ride this larger wheeled bike that has 21 speeds and smoother tires than the standard HotRock 24. The only thing I'd change (and some have mentioned this) is to replace the grip shifters with triggers. I have an 8-yr old who's on the smaller side and he loves zipping around on this bike. This past weekend we went on a nice 10-mile ride with some decent hills and he no problems with climbing or with hitting some high speeds in stretches (29mph on one downhill, he felt like Superman). Slightly above the price range mentioned in the opening post at $330msrp.