quality single track bike for kid

[Dantheman]

The SDG Slater pedals are awesome. Chromag Radar are super cool but spendy: https://us.chromagbikes.com/products/pedals-radar

Wellgo makes several pedals with a kid-size platform but I can't recall any of the model numbers off-hand.

Never heard of those Heliums. Probably fine for non-DH/DJ riding.

[Andeh]

While, spendy, the pins on the Chromag Radars have blunted cylindrical tips. They also come with washers to shorten the length down too. I also took out about half the pins on my kid's pedals because little kids are pretty bad at getting their feet planted correctly the first time. When he gets better and actually needs more grip, I'll add pins back.

[aragon]

Didn't see this thread before, but I have spent considerable time researching and building up lightweight kids bikes for my three - current ages 11, 9 and 6. I have had good luck with sourcing carbon/ti parts from AliExpress. While I get that this may be a controversial option, the weight/performance/price ratio is pretty great, and I have had no issues with performance related fails. Granted my kids are not doing hardcore DH/dirt jumps for which I would definitely NOT recommend these parts. But for building up a lightweight trail bike for medium duty XC for a 40-pound kid I think they are fine.

Anyway, caveats, out of the way, here is my most recent build - started with a 20" Kona Honzo, and replaced pretty much everything except frame/crank/brakes/headset (post is from another thread on this site, specs attached):

I have finally finished this COVID-boredom build. Went quite a bit overboard, and also went deep on the Alibaba/carbon knockoff game. I'm not sure I'd advise a fully grown adult to ride this stuff, but for a 40 pound kid I think it is amazing for the value/weight ratio. In fact, most of the stuff seems better built than a bunch of Easton EC90 stuff I paid ridiculous amounts of money for back in the early 00's (and that was at pro-deal prices!). Anyways, attached is the complete build list (new parts in bold), and a couple pictures:

Attachment 418022Attachment 418023Attachment 418024Attachment 418025Attachment 418026

Very happy with the way it turned out, and lost around 7 pounds from stock (!!). It is now just a hair under 18 pounds, which for a 40 pound kid makes a world of difference from stock. Also extended gearing and losing the boat-anchor suspension fork (that she could not even compress at lightest preload settings) make for an actual trail rideable 20" bike. She loves it...

[Dantheman]

Altitude is SOLD. Still have the Codes, $200 OBO?

[Dantheman]

I also have a Manitou JUNIT Machete Pro 24 inch fork for sale. 145 mm travel but can be adjusted down to 125 mm with spacers that I can include (I'd also be willing to do this for you prior to sale). This is the best 24 inch fork on the market by a long shot, it's rad. Has Manitou's dual-chamber IRT air spring that allows you tune the spring to be super soft off the top but have good mid-stroke and bottom out support.

I just discovered that the rebound adjuster is missing. Everything works great and you probably won't need to adjust the rebound anyway, but I am working on sourcing a replacement.

eta: Rebound adjuster is currently inbound from Manitou.

$400

[Dantheman]

I also have a couple sets of JUNIT bars and grips that are $free.99+shipping.

[Doremite]

Awesome work here, Dan. My kids still a bit too young (oldest 8 and on a 24”) but someone should step on in.

[Dantheman]

Altitude is SOLD. Still have the JUNIT Pro fork and the Codes. $200 OBO for the Codes?

Still have multiple sets of JUNIT bars/grips for FREE. Been to lazy to get pics, but they're these (https://hayesbicycle.com/collections...ar-grips-combo) in Protaper Team Issue colors (https://hayesbicycle.com/products/pr...SABEgLRAvD_BwE).

[Dantheman]

I'm going to have a pretty mint Juliana Strega/Nomad C frame in XS w/ Super Deluxe R shock for sale soon. Killer bike for kids who have outgrown 24" wheels. No pics yet since I'm still stripping it down, but will have some soon.

[Dantheman]

Pics are up here: https://www.pinkbike.com/buysell/3986100/

Mag pricing available.

[Daywalker]

If anyone is selling a solid 20" bike with hydraulic brakes, I'm in the market in WA. Also as an FYI, the scammers seem to have realized that parents looking for $$ kids bikes are good targets. 3 out of 3 Pinkbike ads for Trailcraft Blue Sky's have been clueless scammers fishing for money.

[carlh]

I have a friend with a pretty beat up woom off rigid 20” if you want me to reach out. He’s in Burien.