D_____'s Race Bike

Here it is. The "Hidden Canyon" from Marin. It's a 20" wheeled bike he's had for mmmmaybe 4 years. It was a little big to start, and now he's almost grown out of it. Still, he's definitely got another season on it. That's good value, and plus it'll lay in wait for the J_____ator to ride in another year or so.

Parents who buy their kids' bikes at department stores suck. And are shortsighted.

Those crappy bikes made from pot metal and assembled by learning impaired robot orangutans will turn a kid off of riding by performing poorly, breaking, and being heavy as shi_. A department store bike, through required repair (frequently including the initial trip to a bike shop to have the build corrected!) and replacement of junk parts, will cost as much or more than a bike built by folks who care and know from your local shop. Pick a shop in which some staff member has kids and you're even more golden- they get it and will make the extra effort to see that your child's levers are adjusted for little hands with short reach, to name one example.

Choices are limited, even for quality kids' bikes. Most are ridiculously heavy, with silly long wheelbases and useless suspension forks that add weight and detract from performance. I won't even get into components. Chances are, if you're reading this, that you'll swap some stuff. There are, of course, super high end race bikes being made for kids now and you could go that route. I don't think that's necessary, but you might.


D has had his rear derailler replaced, his brakes/levers replaced, his bars replaced, his shifters replaced, and we added a bell. He took a liking to my stylish pink Poison Spider top cap. Fancy stainless King Cage, too. Chew on that.

I don't know about your reputation, in this town...but D has ridden this thing all over.