A new bike
After deciding to do our first family cycle tour this year, it quickly became apparent that our kids are growing faster than we expected.
We bought Zak and Maisey new bikes just 2 years ago, in the hope of inspiring them to get our and explore more. We knew that they would both eventually need not bigger bikes so decided to limit our spending and get mid range bikes from a local store.
The owner of the shop ensured us that these bikes should easily last our kids until they were 16 and could “afford to buy their own adult bikes”, and yet here we are, less than 2 years on with both kids needing bigger bikes.
Not only that, but I’ve been quite disappointed with the bikes we bought. It’s the little things that make all the difference. Bolt-on wheels rather than quick release, steel components that rust quickly, low-end brakes and gears. The frames are both lightweight alloy, but they really haven’t stood the test of time.
So yesterday I picked up a new bike for Zak. This time not new but instead from Amazon market place. At £80, we’ve picked up a nice 19″ Trek hybrid with all good quality components and quick release wheels (so much easier for our tour in August). It’s actually a Women Specific Design (WSD) but on this model that literally just means a different saddle, which we’ve swapped out anyway.
I know buying used can have its pitfalls (especially with such a huge market in stolen bikes), but I do regret buying new bikes for the kids back in 2017, especially from a local store with limited stock who clearly would say anything to sell us bikes.
As it turns out, the slight issue with the front brakes on the new bike (one brake pad was missing) was slightly more severe that we initially thought. An aftermarket calliper had obviously been fitted to one side of the front fork, so I decided to get a complete new set of callipers (only £11.99). When switching them out I quickly realised that the retaining shaft on the front fork had been hacked off, so it took some “bodging” to get the new calliper attached securely, but it’s all now in place and working fine.
After Zak’s first ride out on the bike we also noticed that he couldn’t access the granny gear (small front cog) and when looking closer I realised that the front derailleur was actually worn through where the chain had been rubbing, so a new derailleur was needed too (another £8 from decathlon) which was quickly fitted and ready to go.
So now Zak has a Trek and Maisey gets his old (not old at all) Saracen. I’m so pleased that we had the foresight to choose a bike for Zak that Maisey liked too. We’ve also sold her Claud Butler to recoup all the costs of the new bike.
If the weather remains stable we’ll give them a test ride tomorrow and report back.
I’ll write an article at some point all about choosing a good bike for touring. It can be a real minefield unless you know what to look for.
Today’s learning point: Pay for a bike with quality components; and if you have the time to shop around, buy used. You’ll get a better bike for your money and probably recoup all your costs when you sell it to upgrade.
Tags: bike, hybrid, trek, wsd