I was searching for a racing bike for my nephew (he is still very young but I am planning to buy in two years). I found some good alternatives over the internet.
First, size table: I learnt that the size of kids’ bikes are measured with wheel size.
| Year | Wheel Size (diameter in inches) | Wheel Size |
|---|---|---|
| 5+ | 20” | 500C |
| 8+ | 24” | 600C |
| 9+ | 26” | 650C |
| 11+ | 28” | 700C |
Dawes Sprint ’13
Price: £249.99 (as of May 2014)
A cheap road racing bike for 5-8 year old kids. 20” (500c) wheels with alloy double-wall rims, aluminium frame, equipped with Shimano A050 shifters (7-speed).
Available at edinburghbicycle.com
Specifications
| Frame | 11″ Frame/ 20″ wheel |
| Fork | 6061 Aluminium junior road frame |
| Headset | Steel unicrown powerfork |
| Shifters | Threaded 1.1/8″ |
| Rear Derailleur | Shimano SL-A050 7 speed |
| Front Derailleur | Shimano RD-FT30 |
| Chain | Nil |
| Freewheel | KMC-Z51 |
| Front Hub | Shimano MF-TZ21 14-28T |
| Rear Hub | 32 hole nutted |
| Rims | 32 hole nutted |
| Spokes | Double wall alloy |
| Tyres | Kenda 20″x32c |
| Chainwheel | Black steel |
| Bottom Bracket | 32Tx140mm alloy crank with double chainguard |
| Brakes | 5 piece with axle |
| Brake Levers | Promax caliper |
| Handlebar | Junior alloy lever |
| Stem | Junior road handlebar |
| Seatpost | Alloy quill |
| Saddle | 27.2mm x 230mm |
| Grips | Dawes road |
| Pedals | Cork tape |
| Weight | 9.72kg / 21.44lbs |
Dawes Giro 300 ’13
Price: £329.99 (as of May 2014)
“Authentic road bike for youths”. Available in 24” (600c) and 26” (650c) wheel sizes with alloy double-wall rims, 6061 aluminium frame, equipped with Shimano A050 shifters (7-speed).
Available at edinburghbicycle.com
Specifications
| Frame | 6061 Aluminium junior road frame |
| Fork | Steel unicrown powerfork |
| Headset | Ahead 1.1/8″ |
| Shifters | Shimano ST-A070 STI 14 speed |
| Rear Derailleur | Shimano RD-A050 |
| Front Derailleur | Shimano FD-A050 |
| Chain | KMC-Z51 |
| Freewheel | Shimano MF-TZ21 14-28T |
| Front Hub | 32 hole alloy QR |
| Rear Hub | 32 hole alloy QR |
| Rims | Double wall alloy |
| Spokes | Black steel |
| Tyres | Kenda 24×1″ Road/25×1″ Road (for 559 type 26″ wheel) |
| Chainwheel | 42/34Tx152mm/165mm alloy crank |
| Bottom Bracket | Cartridge |
| Brakes | Promax caliper |
| Brake Levers | Junior road lever |
| Handlebar | Junior alloy road |
| Stem | Alloy Ahead |
| Seatpost | Alloy 27.2mm x 300mm |
| Saddle | Dawes Road |
| Grips | Cork Tape |
| Pedals | Resin |
Giant TCR Espoir ’14
Price: £475.00 (as of May 2014)
Built with the same quality Aluminum frame (Aluxx), fork and the geometry as Giant Defy road bikes, the Giant TCR Espoir is for children around 8 to 10 years old.
Available at edinburghbicycle.com
Specifications
| FRAME | ALUXX-Grade Aluminium |
| FORK | ALUXX-Grade Aluminium |
| SHOCK | N/A |
| HANDLEBAR | Giant Sport 380mm 25.4mm |
| STEM | Giant Sport |
| SEATPOST | Giant Sport |
| SADDLE | TCR Espoir |
| PEDALS | Jr road |
| SHIFTERS | Shimano Claris 16 speed |
| FRONT DERAILLEUR | Shimano Claris |
| REAR DERAILLEUR | Shimano Claris |
| BRAKES | Promax caliper |
| BRAKE LEVERS | Shimano Claris |
| CASSETTE | Shimano HG 50 11-30 |
| CHAIN | KMC Z-72 |
| CRANKSET | Compact 46/36 152mm |
| BOTTOM BRACKET | Semi-cartridge BB |
| RIMS | Aluminium 24″ |
| HUBS | Alloy |
| SPOKES | Stainless steel |
| TYRES | Kenda Koncept 24″-25mm |
Pro-Lite TheOne Mini Race Bike – 650c 2013
Price: €521.99 (as of May 2014)
The only road racing bike for kids at Chain Reaction Cycles and it’s 2013 model (curently it’s in clearance).
Available at chainreactioncycles.com
From CRC site:
“Pro-Lite developed TheOne in 650c and 24” wheel size in response to the requests from the Italian Cycling Federation to meet the need for a true high performance road racing bicycle for use by the up and coming young riders. Riders as young as six can now ride competition level road bikes. In the Dutch Bike Motion a 4 year old boy was presented with a 24” wheel version by his parents.”
Handmade 650c or 24” wheels (currently only 650c is available on the CRC site) and specially made handlebars for children’s smaller hands. The gear shifters are in a traditional position on the down tube on the 24” version with the option for integrated brake and shifter system on the handlebars, while the slightly larger 650c version uses the contemporary integrated brake levers and shifters on the handlebars.
The frames are made from the custom made Pro-Lite PBS tubing in the Pro-Lite factory in Taiwan.
Specifications
- Frame – Pro-Lite / P.B.S Pro-Lite P.B.S 7005 triple butted tubing TIG welding
- Fork – Chromo Full Chromo steerer and butted leg. Intergraded type
- Handlebar – Pro-Lite / Chivetta Alloy bar, best reach for Kid, width 380mm, Barbore 31.8
- Stem – Pro-Lite / Pedrosa 6061 Alloy 3D forged stem, -6deg Barbore 31.8mm, Extension 80mm
- Grip & Tape – Pro-Lite / Riscone Embossed cork, Gel ribbon black
- Head Set – Pro-Lite/ Ampezzo Intergraded headset, Hi -roll bearing
- BB Set – Vortex ISIS Drive System, Seal Bearing
- Chainwheel – Pro-Lite Alloy Forged crank, 44 /36 T alloy chainring. 160mm
- Pedals – VP Hi-Impact Racing pedal, boron axle with toe clip and stra
- Chain – KMC Z82
- Saddle -Velo Kid racing saddle, 2 Tone , Silver bumper
- Seat Post – Pro-lite Alloy offset seat post, 250 mm
- Derailleur – Shimano RD-2200, 8- speed, direct attachment
- Shifters – Shimano STI System, ST-2200, 16-speed
- Freewheel – SRAM PG-850 ROAD, 12/26T, 8-speed
- Brake – Tektro Alloy forged, brake shoes angle adjustable.
- Brake Levers – Shimano W/ST-2200
- Wheelset – Pro-Lite Pro-Lite COMO 650 C, 30 mm profile, Aero spoke. Front 20, Rear 24 spokes
- Tyres – Kenda 650X23C, all black
Felt F24 2014
Price: $871.40 (as of May 2014)
Felt is an American bicycle manufacturer based in Irvine, California. In the early 1990s the company was founded by Jim Felt who designed some of the very first triathlon bikes that propelled many of the worlds greatest athletes to Iron Man victories. High profile sponsorship has remained an intrinsic part of Felt’s strategy highlighted by their association with the UCI Pro-teams Garmin Transitions and Argos-Shimano, and Olympic Triathletes Jan Frodeno and Emma Snowsill.
“The F24 takes its cues from the adult F-series bikes. For the developing roadie, the custom butted 7005 aluminium frame and carbon fibre fork make this just as serious a bike as the other F bikes.”
The F24 features single water bottle bosses, lightweight alloy frame, carbon forks, and 16 gears to get the younger one up to speed quickly. microShift shifters, with short reach levers aid small hands to brake and change gear with ease and in safety. The frame colour matches the components including the wheels, which are Alex rims on felt hub. White bar tape and saddle complete the package.
Available at wiggle.co.uk
Specifications
| Frame | |
| Model Year | 2014 |
| Material | Felt road 7005 alloy custom butted |
| Cable Routing | External |
| Bottle Cage Mounts | Single |
| Front Derailleur Mount | Clamp On |
| Dropouts | Replaceable forged aluminium rear dropout and derailleur hanger |
| Fork | |
| Blades | Felt road UHC Performance carbon fibre monocoque fork. 100% carbon fibre, 1.125 steerer. |
| Wheelset | |
| Felt rims on Felt hubs, clincher | |
| Groupset | |
| Speed | 16 |
| Brake Levers/Shifters | Microshift – short reach and with Tektro top mount levers |
| Chainset | Felt, compact 50×36 |
| Bottom Bracket | FSA Square Taper |
| Front Derailleur | Microshift |
| Rear Derailleur | Shimano Claris |
| Brake Calipers | Shimano, cartridge type rubber insert |
| Chain | Sunrace, 8 speed |
| Cassette | Sunrace, 8 speed, 12-25 |
| Finishing Kit | |
| Handlebar | Felt 6061 alloy, 26.0mm |
| Bar Tape | Felt Gel with Felt logo’s |
| Stem | Felt SL 3D forged 6061 alloy, 31.8mm |
| Seat Post | Felt SL 6061 alloy, 27.2mm |
| Saddle | Felt |
| Tyres | Kenda Koncept, 24×1″ |
| Pedals | |
| Supplied with basic flat pedals, Wiggle recommend using dedicated clip-in pedals and shoes |
|
| Warranty | |
| 3 year frame warranty, 12 month parts warranty | |
Felt F95 Junior 2014
Price: $880.42 (as of May 2014)
The F95 junior is generally a good fit for riders (boys and girls) in the 12-15 age group and incorporates the race-worthy performance of Felt’s F Series bikes into a 43cm frame. The bike is also supplied with 650c (26″) road wheels with 23c tyres.
Available at wiggle.co.uk
Specifications
Felt F95 Junior Specification |
|
| Frame | |
| Model Year | 2014 |
| Material | Felt road 6061 alloy custom butted |
| Cable Routing | External |
| Bottle Cage Mounts | Double |
| Front Derailleur Mount | Clamp On |
| Dropouts | Replaceable forged aluminium rear dropout and derailleur hanger |
| Fork | |
| Blades | Felt road UHC Performance carbon fibre monocoque fork. 100% carbon fibre, 1.125 steerer. |
| Wheelset | |
| Alex R500 rims on Felt hubs, clincher | |
| Groupset | |
| Speed | 18 |
| Brake Levers/Shifters | Microshift – short reach |
| Chainset | FSA Tempo, compact 50×34 |
| Bottom Bracket | FSA Square Taper |
| Front Derailleur | Microshift |
| Rear Derailleur | Shimano Sora |
| Brake Calipers | Shimano, cartridge type rubber insert |
| Chain | Sunrace, 9 speed |
| Cassette | Sunrace, 9 speed, 12-25 |
| Finishing Kit | |
| Handlebar | Felt 6061 alloy, 26.0mm |
| Bar Tape | Felt Gel with Felt logo’s |
| Stem | Felt SL 3D forged 6061 alloy, 31.8mm |
| Seat Post | Felt SL 6061 alloy, 27.2mm |
| Saddle | Felt |
| Tyres | Vittoria Rubino Slick, 650 x 25c |
| Pedals | |
| Supplied with basic flat pedals, Wiggle recommend using dedicated clip-in pedals and shoes |
|
| Warranty | |
| 3 year frame warranty, 12 month parts warranty | |
Islabikes Luath 24-26
Price: £399.99 (as of May 2014)
Lightweight 7005 T6 butted aluminium frame, proportional geometry, cro-moly forks with mudguard and rack eyes, 8-speed very wide ratio gears with reach adjustable Shimano STI lever.
Available at Islabikes.co.uk
Islabikes Luath 700
Price: £499.99 (as of May 2014)
Lightweight 7005 T6 butted aluminium frame, proportional geometry, cro-moly forks with mudguard rack eyes, 16-speed very wide ratio gears with reach adjustable Shimano STI levers, compact 34 – 46t chainset with proportional cranks, short reach brake levers with top mount supplementary levers for safe stopping with small hands, pProportional anatomic dropped handlebars, narrower with shallow drop and short reach, Tektro cantilever brakes.
Available at Islabikes.co.uk
HOY Meadowbank 650c 2014 Track Bike
Price: £375.00 (as of May 2014)
A track bike suits an 8-9 year old velodrome rider with an entry-level price. The Meadowbank is named after the track where Sir Chris Hoy rode the first laps of his distinguished career. Tested with young riders in the presence of Sir Chris himself. Shorter-drop bars, butted 6061-T6 aluminium frame and carbon fork.
Available at evanscycles.com
Specifications
- Frame:
- HOY 6061 Aluminium
- Fork:
- 650c 1-1-8″ Alloy steerer, Carbon blade, Offset: 40mm
- Number of Gears:
- 1
- Chainset:
- Lasco, 145mm Alloy, Square Taper
- Chainrings:
- 44T
- Bottom Bracket:
- Included with chainset
- Cassette:
- 16T
- Chain:
- KMC Z610HX, 110 Links
- Pedals:
- Not Supplied
- Handlebars:
- Satori Furio Pro, Alloy 6061 DB, 31.8mm, Drop:118mm, Reach:70mm, Width:380mm
- Stem:
- Kalloy Ahead Stem, 3D-Forged, 31.8mm, Length: 70mm
- Headset:
- Prestine 1, 1-1/8″ Integrated Headset
- Grips:
- Velo, Soft microfiber tape
- Rims:
- ALEX R450, 28H
- Front Hub:
- JOY, 9mm, 28H, Loose Ball
- Rear Hub:
- JOY, 10mm, 28H, Loose Ball
- Front Tyre:
- Kenda K-191 650×23C, 60 TPI, Wire Bead
- Rear Tyre:
- Kenda K-191 650×23C, 60 TPI, Wire Bead
- Tubes:
- Kenda 650Cx18/23C
- Saddle:
- HOY, PU Leather top, Nylon base, Light foam, CR-MO rail with track stripe logo
- Seatpost:
- HOY Micro-adjust, 350mm
- Seat Binder:
- Single bolt lightweight design
HOY Cammo 650c 2014
Price: £500.00 (as of May 2014)
A smaller Hoy road bike for 8-9 year olds. The Cammo takes all the design cues and ideas from the HOY Sa Calobra bike and scales them into a smaller package. Named after the area where Sir Chris Hoy rode his first road training loops on a hilly local ride pointed out by his first coach, the Cammo has smaller 650C wheels to create a better-balanced bike for younger cyclists. The short-reach bars, stem and Microshift junior STI levers, a carbon fork, butted 6061-T6 aluminium frame and 8-speed Shimano gearing.
Available at evanscycles.com
Specifications
- Frame:
- HOY 6061 Aluminium
- Fork:
- 1-1-8″ Alloy steerer threadless, Alloy blade, Offset: 40mm
- Front Derailleur:
- Shimano 2400 Claris, Band-type 31.8mm
- Rear Derailleur:
- Shimano 2400 Claris
- Number of Gears:
- 16
- Shifters:
- Microshift with short reach
- Chainset:
- Lasco
- Chainrings:
- 46/34T
- Bottom Bracket:
- Included with chainset
- Cassette:
- Shimano HG50 8-Speed, Ni-Plated 13-26T
- Chain:
- KMC Z82, 8-Speed
- Pedals:
- Not Supplied
- Brakeset:
- Tektro R340 Dual Pivot Calliper Brake
- Handlebars:
- Satori Furio Pro, Alloy 6061 DB, 31.8mm, Drop:118mm, Reach:70mm, Width:380mm
- Stem:
- Kalloy Ahead Stem, 3D-Forged, 31.8mm, Length: 70mm
- Headset:
- Prestine 1, 1-1/8″ Integrated Headset
- Grips:
- Velo, Soft microfiber tape
- Rims:
- ALEX R450, 28H
- Front Hub:
- JOY, 9mm, 28H, Loose Ball
- Rear Hub:
- JOY, 10mm, 28H, Loose Ball
- Front Tyre:
- Kenda K-925, 120 TPI, Folding
- Rear Tyre:
- Kenda K-925, 120 TPI, Folding
- Tubes:
- Kenda 650Cx18/23C
- Saddle:
- HOY, PU Leather top, Nylon base, Light foam, CR-MO rail with track stripe logo
- Seatpost:
- HOY Micro-adjust, 350mm
- Seat Binder:
- Single bolt lightweight design
HOY Meadowbank 24” 2014 Track Bike
Price: £375.00 (as of May 2014)
HOY Meadowbank 24 Inch 2014 Track Bike. Based on the Meadowbank 650C junior track bike, the Meadowbank 24 is simply a scaled-down track bike with front and rear brakes. These can be removed for track use or kept as a simple, light road bike. The light 24″ road wheels, micro-drop bars, smaller brake levers and shorter cranks.
Available at evanscycles.com
Specifications
- Frame:
- HOY Alloy 6061, 24″
- Fork:
- HOY Alloy 24″, 1-1/8″ alloy steerer
- Number of Gears:
- 1
- Chainset:
- Prowheel 140mm alloy w/plastic Chainguard
- Chainrings:
- 36T
- Bottom Bracket:
- Included with chainset
- Cassette:
- Dicta 17T
- Chain:
- KMC Z610, 114 Link
- Pedals:
- VP W/ Reflector
- Brakeset:
- Tektro R315, Dual Pivot Calliper Brake
- Brake Levers:
- Drop-bar lever for junior bikes
- Handlebars:
- Satori alloy 6061, Drop:94mm, Reach:68mm, Width: 360
- Stem:
- Satori alloy, 60mm
- Headset:
- Prestine 1-1/8″ integrated headset
- Grips:
- Velo microfiber tape
- Rims:
- Alex DA22 24 Inch, 24H
- Front Hub:
- Joy Tech, loose ball bearing
- Rear Hub:
- Joy Tech, loose ball bearing
- Spokes:
- 14G, Steel plain gauge
- Front Tyre:
- Kenda K191, 24×1
- Rear Tyre:
- Kenda K191, 24×1
- Tubes:
- Kenda
- Saddle:
- HOY, CR-MO rail with track stripe logo
- Seatpost:
- HOY, CR-MO rail with track stripe logo
- Seat Binder:
- Single bolt lightweight design
- Weight:
- Approx 7.5kg
HOY Cammo 24” 2014
Price: £333.33 (as of May 2014)
Based on the Cammo 650C junior road bike, the Cammo 24 is simply a scaled-down adult road bike. 24″ road wheels, micro-drop bars, short-reach shift/brake levers and shorter cranks.
Available at evanscycles.com
Specifications
- Frame:
- HOY Alloy 6061, 24″
- Fork:
- HOY Alloy 24″, 1-1/8″ alloy steerer
- Front Derailleur:
- Shimano A070
- Rear Derailleur:
- Shimano A070
- Number of Gears:
- 16
- Shifters:
- Microshift R072 Short-reach STI lever
- Chainset:
- Lasco Alloy, 145mm
- Chainrings:
- 46/34T
- Bottom Bracket:
- Included with chainset
- Cassette:
- Sun Race 13-28T, 7-Speed
- Chain:
- KMC Z51, 114 LINK, 7-Speed
- Pedals:
- VP W/ Reflector
- Brakeset:
- Tektro R315, Dual Pivot Calliper Brake
- Handlebars:
- Satori Alloy 6061, Drop:94mm, Reach:68mm, Width: 360
- Stem:
- Satori alloy, 60mm
- Headset:
- Prestine 1-1/8″ integrated headset
- Grips:
- Velo microfiber tape
- Rims:
- Alex DA22 24 Inch, 32H
- Front Hub:
- Joy Tech 821, 9mm, ball bearings
- Rear Hub:
- Joy Tech 822, 32H, ball bearings
- Spokes:
- 14G, Steel plain gauge
- Front Tyre:
- Kenda K191, 24×1
- Rear Tyre:
- Kenda K191, 24×1
- Tubes:
- Kenda
- Saddle:
- HOY, CR-MO rail with track stripe logo
- Seatpost:
- HOY Alloy 27.2×250mm
- Seat Binder:
- Single bolt lightweight design
- Weight:
- Approx 8.5kg
Genesis Col du Glandon 2014
Price: £499.99 (as of May 2014)
According to the producer, with 700c frame geometry generally compromised on any frame smaller than 50cm (as manufacturers try in vain to make the numbers fit, but not necessarily work) and 650c tyre options extremely limited and unlikely to expand anytime soon, 650b gives much needed extra bit of clearance for proper frame fit/geometry with no perceivable loss of rolling speed (vs. 700c) and ample tyre choice moving forward (effectively future-proofed).
6061 Double-Butted Aluminium, 650b Wheels, Shimano Claris 8-speed groupset, 34/46T chainset, 11-32T cassette.
Available at evanscycles.com
Specifications
- Frame:
- 6061 Double-Butted Aluminium
- Fork:
- Double-Butted Cr-Mo Unicrown w/ double eyelets & lowrider bosses
- Front Derailleur:
- Shimano FD-M311-6 8sp
- Rear Derailleur:
- Shimano Claris RD-2400 8sp
- Number of Gears:
- 16
- Shifters:
- Shimano Claris ST-2400 8sp
- Chainset:
- Shimano Claris FC-2400
- Chainrings:
- 46/34T
- Bottom Bracket:
- Shimano BB-ES25 Octalink, 68 × 113mm
- Cassette:
- Shimano CS-HG50 11-32T 8sp
- Chain:
- Shimano CN-HG50 8sp
- Pedals:
- VP-363S w/ Toeclip
- Brakeset:
- Tektro Oryx Cantilever
- Brake Levers:
- Shimano Claris ST-2400 w/ Tektro RL576 Crosstop
- Handlebars:
- Genesis 0.2 Road Compact, 125mm drop x 70mm reach, 400mm width
- Stem:
- Genesis 0.1 Road, 31.8mm, +/-7 degrees Rise, 75mm
- Headset:
- FSA TH-857 1-1/8″ Ahead
- Grips:
- Microfiber Anti-Slip w/ Silicon Gel
- Rims:
- Sun Ringle CR18, 32H
- Front Hub:
- Shimano Claris 2400, 32H
- Rear Hub:
- Shimano Claris 2400, 32H
- Spokes:
- Stainless Silver w/ Brass Nipples
- Front Tyre:
- Michelin World Tour 584 (650b) x 35c
- Rear Tyre:
- Michelin World Tour 584 (650b) x 35c
- Saddle:
- Madison Prime
- Seatpost:
- Genesis 0.1 Road, 27.2 × 350mm
- Weight:
- 24lbs 6oz / 11.1kg
