Junior Road Bike: A Review of the Best Road Bikes for Children in 2017
Bike riding is something that kids love to do and it has many benefits to it as well, such as helping to keep them physically fit and healthy and assisting in the development of their coordination. And, with great sporting events like the Tour de France, the USA cycling team and those exciting time trials, more and more children are taking up road cycling. Also, it can keep them occupied for those long summer days when you shudder to hear that little voice telling you for the one-hundredth time that they are bored. However, a quick trip to the bike shop and you will most likely be lost in a myriad of different bikes all boasting different features that would confuse even some of the more experienced cyclists out there. Aluminium road bikes, alloy frames, mountain bikes, carbon forks, disc brakes, Shimano brake levers… the list is endless. Therefore, to help you select the most suitable road bike for your budding cyclist, here is a list of some of the top road bikes for the next generation of junior riders in 2017:
4. Razor 62042 High Roller BMX/Freestyle Bike
The Razor 62042 High Roller BMX/Freestyle bike has to come with mixed reviews. While many people genuinely liked the bike and found it easy to assemble and stated that it made for a pleasant ride, there were others who disliked nearly everything about the bike. One customer was very disappointed by the bike's quality, stating that the brakes were bad and of poor quality and that the bike was simply too heavy. Also, it's been said that if you want to replace the brakes, you will have difficulty doing so because the rims are oddly made and installed. This means that most likely you will be unable to find brake pads that will fit.
3. GMC Denali Road Boy's Bike, 24-Inch
The GMC Denali 24-inch Road Bike is best used by riders who are of a smaller size. The age range would be from about 8-11. Most people who have purchased this bicycle have found that they really loved it. When it arrives at your home the setup is simple, taking only about 20 minutes to half an hour. When you are done, you have a lightweight, sporty-looking bicycle that your child will be thrilled with. At $218.94 on Amazon, this bike gives amazing value for its reasonable cost. It has a record of great endurance, going as far as 15 or more miles at a stretch repeatedly, even being used in bike races, giving an excellent performance every time. With its smaller frame, it is ideal for 8 – 12-year-olds and even for smaller sized adults. A couple of the GMC Denali Road Bike's best features are:
- The shifters on the handlebars are simple to use.
- It requires very little assembly, only the front wheel, seat and handlebars and with its aluminum frame is incredibly light and easy to handle. You can also purchase upgrades such as longer pedals too.
There are, however, some negatives associated with this bike and they are as follows:
- One customer complaint is that since it is not a steel bike it was built to lower standards and had some low-quality parts. There is threaded steering and the bolted seat is cheaply made.
Also, at least one unfortunate purchaser assembled the entire bike, only to find that the fork, which came attached by the company, was put on backward. There have also been warnings that because the bike is relatively inexpensive it will fall apart easily.
2. Mongoose Boy's Banish Hybrid Bike, 24-Inch/Small
The Mongoose Banish 24" Hybrid bike is the ideal bicycle for your child's local recreational usage or a more challenging ride on a bike path. The front and rear disc brakes give smooth and easy braking and allow for no wear and tear on the rim walls. The bike comes assembled for the most part and is lightweight with an aluminium frame. Good for a child of 8-12. The price is reasonable and you get your money's worth. Some of the positive features of this bike are:
- Hybrid sized tires, which means that at 24" they are not mountain bike tires, nor are they road bike tires, but in between for both uses.
- Lightweight and easy to handle.
- Leaves room for the child to grow into it.
Some of the negatives about this bike are as follows:
- A lot of assembly work. Both wheels must go on, the seat and the pedals.
- Poor components. One customer had both gear shifters on the handlebars break and required replacement. Then, several weeks later the bicycle chain broke and the brakes were left with a prominent squeaking sound.
1. Giordano Libero 1.6 Girls Road Bike (24-Inch Wheels)
This elegantly created, hand-crafted bicycle boasts Shimano Claris 16-Speed STI shifters, 24-inch wheels, and 1 3/8-inch tires to all come together in an amazing piece of machinery that will exceed your expectations. The one thing you can be certain about is that this bike is made to last. Weighing a total of 26 lb, it is designed for riders who are anywhere from 4 feet 7 inches – 5 feet tall. Decorated in white and pink colors, it is ideal for a young girl to start out on and then grow into a little bit and enjoy cruising about the neighborhood while she does it. Some of the other positive features of the Giordano Libero 1.6 Girls Road Bike are:
- The reasonable price is a draw for many parents, who know that the bike will only last around 2 years or so before their child outgrows it.
- Some customers have remarked that they are pleased with a bike of top quality, which features smaller components and the fact that you can upgrade it.
On the other hand, there do seem to be a few negatives pertaining to this bike:
- One parent complained that their daughter who is 8 years old was the right size for the height of the bike, but the reach to the handlebars was way too far for her.
- Also, it was stated that the brakes aren't really a good quality and are slow when it comes to stopping.
- Another customer voiced the complaint that the bike was actually heavier than it looked and wasn't really all that lightweight.
In general, when it comes to these bikes, they are generally a great buy with good value and long-lasting endurance. The children they are intended for usually enjoy them and have many happy times riding. However, there are some pretty serious negatives to consider in a few cases and you should give serious thought to the matter before you commit to buying a bike.
In the long run, though, it's really up to you and your child to determine which bike is right for them. Once you've done that, hurry up and go buy one today so that your child can begin the summer with a brand new awesome bike!
