Beth P
My tall 8 year old daughter won a size small women's frame Diamondback mountain bike at an event this summer. She currently has a 20in bike that we were going to upgrade to a 24 inch by Fall. She can ride this Diamondback with 26inch wheels but we need to help her get on and off. It looks too big for her and is too big for her. So now we are looking for a bike shop quality used bike for her and not finding anything so i got to thinking that IF we could trade out the Diamondback wheels to 24 inchers and trade out some handlebars that aren't such a far reach for her then *maybe* it would work for her. Any thoughts or advice? I think it'll be another 1-3 years before she can actually ride the Diamondback safely as it is. I hate to have that brand new bike sitting there for that long though she doesn't want to sell it either since it was so cool that she won it.
thanks.
beth
Answer
If the Diamondback bike has disc brakes, then you could put 24" wheels on there. With 99% of v-brake 26" wheel bikes, you can't use smaller wheels because there's no way to adjust the brakes that low to hit the new rim, so disc brakes are a must. Keep in mind, though....it wouldn't be easy, and it might not be all that helpful anyway. It will only drop the standover height about one inch, and even with a short stem and the saddle all the way forward, the frame will probably still be too long for her. If it's worth a try to you with the disc brakes, then you'll probably need to have your current disc hubs re-laced to new rims (with new, shorter spokes). I don't recall seeing any 24" disc wheels on the market, but if they're available then you might be able to buy a set cheaper than you could build one up. This is all assuming that the bike has discs now....if it has v-brakes, then the frame and fork need to have the built-in mounts for disc rotors if any of this is going to work.
I think the best thing is to hang on to the bike until she's older, or possibly sell it and use the money for a bike that will fit her right now. I have a friend whose 5 year old son won an awesome new GT bmx bike and he's way too small to ride it.....it's sad when you see that joy in a kid's eyes and the practical problems just won't let it happen. Maybe if you agree with her how neat it was to win something so expensive and fun, even if it won't work for her now, she'll turn around and agree with you that the best thing to do is get something that will. I dunno...that's a special thing to win, and kids are funny sometimes. lol.
You might even call up local bike shops to see if they'll work out a even trade for her. They just might. Little girls have a lot of power, y'know, and bike shop guys are usually pretty cool people. :o)
Good luck with it....I hope you can get her onto a bike she loves soon! :o)
If the Diamondback bike has disc brakes, then you could put 24" wheels on there. With 99% of v-brake 26" wheel bikes, you can't use smaller wheels because there's no way to adjust the brakes that low to hit the new rim, so disc brakes are a must. Keep in mind, though....it wouldn't be easy, and it might not be all that helpful anyway. It will only drop the standover height about one inch, and even with a short stem and the saddle all the way forward, the frame will probably still be too long for her. If it's worth a try to you with the disc brakes, then you'll probably need to have your current disc hubs re-laced to new rims (with new, shorter spokes). I don't recall seeing any 24" disc wheels on the market, but if they're available then you might be able to buy a set cheaper than you could build one up. This is all assuming that the bike has discs now....if it has v-brakes, then the frame and fork need to have the built-in mounts for disc rotors if any of this is going to work.
I think the best thing is to hang on to the bike until she's older, or possibly sell it and use the money for a bike that will fit her right now. I have a friend whose 5 year old son won an awesome new GT bmx bike and he's way too small to ride it.....it's sad when you see that joy in a kid's eyes and the practical problems just won't let it happen. Maybe if you agree with her how neat it was to win something so expensive and fun, even if it won't work for her now, she'll turn around and agree with you that the best thing to do is get something that will. I dunno...that's a special thing to win, and kids are funny sometimes. lol.
You might even call up local bike shops to see if they'll work out a even trade for her. They just might. Little girls have a lot of power, y'know, and bike shop guys are usually pretty cool people. :o)
Good luck with it....I hope you can get her onto a bike she loves soon! :o)
I would like a new bike, what would you suggest I do?
Epic Parad
Okay, so I really have two questions for this one.
Firstly, my father does not believe that I need a new bike. I am riding about 50-100 miles per week on a bike bought on sale at Walmart. This bike is about a year and a half old. This: http://next-bike.com/models.php?model=pcm is pretty close to the model I ride now. I am a female, though I ride a men's bike at the moment. My biggest problem is that most of the time I am working against the bike while riding, instead of flowing with it. The breaks hardly work even though we have tried to fix them multiple times. It is heavy and uncomfortable, and I have to hunch my shoulders and set my hands very uncomfortably on the handle bars.
Now I have told my dad all of this, but he only said that if I really loved bike riding, he would have already gotten me a serious bike. How do I convince him to buy me a new one? I am not allowed to get a job though I work very, very hard around the house. I get a 15 dollar per week allowence, but my friends often invite me to the movies and such and it's times like these that I want to use the money for. My family is not "tight on cash" in any sense of the word. My dad got a kayak that he has never once used two years ago, just on a whim. He can buy me a bike easily, he just won't. Any ideas on how to convince him that a Walmart bike just doesn't cut it? He doesn't believe that they're any different than the big brands.
Now for my second question.
What sort of bikes would you recommend I look into? I ride on both streets and gravely pathways, sometimes in dirt. I spend a lot of time riding on the side of the road, whether that be on asphalt or in the gutter. I would like something that fits my body- I am 5'7"- and comfort is a huge goal for me. I'm pretty sure I be able to convince my dad on any bike more than $1000, and that is a huge upper limit. What would you suggest and where would you suggest I search for such a bike? I live in the suburbs of Chicago.
I'm sorry if that was long, thank you very very much for taking time to help me.
First of all I meant that I wouldn't be able to convince my dad to buy me a bike more than 1000 dollars, and that I wouldn't want to, not the gibberish that I typed.
Secondly, and this is directed to bad, I didn't mean to come off as self centered. However, the last sentence of your comment was downright rude and there was absolutely no reason to mock me. You don't know me or what I do. It's not as if going a weekend without seeing a movie will buy me any sort of bike, even the Walmart kind. Going for 30 weeks without doing anything with my friends? That's pushing it, wouldn't you say? I'm not a spoiled brat. Up until this point- a few days ago I almost got hit by a car beacuse the brakes weren't working- I haven't been looking for bikes because I didn't want to ask for something so expensive, so of course I wouldn't know what I would/should want. Still, at least you responded with something so I guess I can't complain too much.
Answer
Your questions are reasonable. Furthermore, grammar as proper as yours is seldom seen in questions asked here, especially by teens. What a nice change!
First, a bike is no better than its braking capabilities. If nothing can be done to improve the brakes on your current bike, it's just not safe to ride. It's no secret that the brakes on "department store" bikes are lousy. It's also no secret that the overall poor quality of parts and assembly on these bikes make them poor choices. The bottom end components found on dept store bikes make them very hard to repair and maintain, let alone work correctly in the first place. Besides, it doesn't sound like your current bike fits you well.
Perhaps your dad still thinks of you as a little kid. Rather than riding around in circles in the cul-de-sac, you rely on your bike for transportation. Or perhaps your dad doesn't see the difference in quality between bike purchased at Walmart and bikes purchased at a bike shop.
If you haven't done so already, I would suggest you visit your local bike shops (LBS). Ride your bike if you must, but don't bring dad with you this time. Talk to the staff; tell them about the riding you do and that you intend to replace your current bike with a higher quality bike. Take test rides on bikes that interest you and allow the staff to explain the features of each model. Then make sure you leave the shop with several catalogs featuring some of the models that you test rode or which otherwise interested you. Take the catalogs home and discuss the issue with your dad. Make him promise you to accompany you to the shop so he can see the bikes for himself. Also, if there was a particular staff member that was very helpful or whom you think would be most capable of representing your side to your dad, call in advance to be sure that salesperson will be there when you visit again.
If you want a bike that's good for traveling on paved and [smooth] unpaved surfaces, you'd be best with a hybrid. Depending on the brands your bike shop(s) represent(s), you should find a variety of hybrids from which to choose. Here are a few that would come in below your limit:
Trek 7.3FX WSD $640
http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/bike_path/fx/73fxwsd/
Trek 7300 WSD $640
http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/bike_path/hybrid/7300wsd/
Specialized Vita Sport $590
http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp?spid=38459&eid=121
Specialized Women's Globe Vienna 3 $610
http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp?spid=39276
Kona Dew $450
http://www.konaworld.com/09_dew_u.cfm
Jamis Coda Femme $550
http://www.jamisbikes.com/usa/thebikes/street/coda/09_codaf.html
Jamis Allegro 1 $635
http://www.jamisbikes.com/usa/thebikes/street/allegro/09_allegro1.html
You'll notice that with the exception of one model (Trek 7300), none of the bikes have a suspension. It's just not necessary for the riding you describe, and getting a decent suspension fork really increases the overall cost. Some "hybrids" have more in common with road bikes than other hybrids; the FX and the Sirrus are two such "flat bar road bikes." You'll find similar bikes from other mfrs, including Marin, Fuji and even Schwinn (not the Target line, though). They're good all around bikes for commuting, fitness riding, bike paths, and smooth trails. Your LBS staff can show you these and other bikes that would work for you. Most important is the fit and comfort, so be sure to take them for test rides. You can get great quality for $500-600. That's more palatable than the $1K limit you mentioned.
Two more points: First, I'm shocked you've ridden your Next for 1-1/2yrs and put on that kind of mileage. Second, don't ride in gutters...ever....for any reason. Not good for you or the bike.
Your questions are reasonable. Furthermore, grammar as proper as yours is seldom seen in questions asked here, especially by teens. What a nice change!
First, a bike is no better than its braking capabilities. If nothing can be done to improve the brakes on your current bike, it's just not safe to ride. It's no secret that the brakes on "department store" bikes are lousy. It's also no secret that the overall poor quality of parts and assembly on these bikes make them poor choices. The bottom end components found on dept store bikes make them very hard to repair and maintain, let alone work correctly in the first place. Besides, it doesn't sound like your current bike fits you well.
Perhaps your dad still thinks of you as a little kid. Rather than riding around in circles in the cul-de-sac, you rely on your bike for transportation. Or perhaps your dad doesn't see the difference in quality between bike purchased at Walmart and bikes purchased at a bike shop.
If you haven't done so already, I would suggest you visit your local bike shops (LBS). Ride your bike if you must, but don't bring dad with you this time. Talk to the staff; tell them about the riding you do and that you intend to replace your current bike with a higher quality bike. Take test rides on bikes that interest you and allow the staff to explain the features of each model. Then make sure you leave the shop with several catalogs featuring some of the models that you test rode or which otherwise interested you. Take the catalogs home and discuss the issue with your dad. Make him promise you to accompany you to the shop so he can see the bikes for himself. Also, if there was a particular staff member that was very helpful or whom you think would be most capable of representing your side to your dad, call in advance to be sure that salesperson will be there when you visit again.
If you want a bike that's good for traveling on paved and [smooth] unpaved surfaces, you'd be best with a hybrid. Depending on the brands your bike shop(s) represent(s), you should find a variety of hybrids from which to choose. Here are a few that would come in below your limit:
Trek 7.3FX WSD $640
http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/bike_path/fx/73fxwsd/
Trek 7300 WSD $640
http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/bike_path/hybrid/7300wsd/
Specialized Vita Sport $590
http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp?spid=38459&eid=121
Specialized Women's Globe Vienna 3 $610
http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp?spid=39276
Kona Dew $450
http://www.konaworld.com/09_dew_u.cfm
Jamis Coda Femme $550
http://www.jamisbikes.com/usa/thebikes/street/coda/09_codaf.html
Jamis Allegro 1 $635
http://www.jamisbikes.com/usa/thebikes/street/allegro/09_allegro1.html
You'll notice that with the exception of one model (Trek 7300), none of the bikes have a suspension. It's just not necessary for the riding you describe, and getting a decent suspension fork really increases the overall cost. Some "hybrids" have more in common with road bikes than other hybrids; the FX and the Sirrus are two such "flat bar road bikes." You'll find similar bikes from other mfrs, including Marin, Fuji and even Schwinn (not the Target line, though). They're good all around bikes for commuting, fitness riding, bike paths, and smooth trails. Your LBS staff can show you these and other bikes that would work for you. Most important is the fit and comfort, so be sure to take them for test rides. You can get great quality for $500-600. That's more palatable than the $1K limit you mentioned.
Two more points: First, I'm shocked you've ridden your Next for 1-1/2yrs and put on that kind of mileage. Second, don't ride in gutters...ever....for any reason. Not good for you or the bike.
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Title Post: Can I make this bike work for my daughter?
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Rating: 94% based on 932 ratings. 4,1 user reviews.
Author: Unknown
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