Road racing bikes for kids

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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M. Özgür Nevres

I am a software developer, a former road racing cyclist (at the amateur level) and a science enthusiast. Also an animal lover! I write about cycling on this website, cycling-passion.com. You can check out my social media profiles by clicking on their icons.

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