bike recs for my son

[redsf]

Hello!

  We've been riding and following riv bikes for a long time- or at least the adults in the family.  My son's first real bike was a used trek (maybe 850) with a rear rack and baskets- he was thus able to help with the groceries and was of an age where that seemed like a cool thing.  The bike was stolen (along with a purple riv Glorius- and recovered with the help of this community, but that's another story). For his second bike, he had some of his own aesthetic values and we built up an old Marin mtn bike that had been left for dead.

  He loves his knobby tires and doing wheelies, but now he's also eyeing old road bikes and drop down handlebars. We're in San Francisco and we've been dashing out for rides up Twin Peaks and out to the beach.  We could find something without too much trouble on craigslist, but I want a frame with enough stability for a rack- we go bike camping a couple times a year.

  So we basically need a riv type bike that looks fast.  I can't justify or afford spending too much money on a growing kid and would love another project.  He's almost 5'8" and in sixth grade (tall!).

  Anybody have something kicking around in SF? Recommendations for some models and years I should keep my eye out for? 

Thanks!

TR

[Ian A]

It would come down to tire width desires really. If your son is happy with <28mm tires without fenders, there's a lot of great options. Look for Tange Champion 1 or 2 tubing for a fun whip. Champion 2 can do alright with a bit of a load IME.

If you're thinking ~32/35mm tires, a touring frame would be better, but might not be as lively to bomb around on. Better for mounting racks though. There's a Trek 520 on Sacramento CL (no relation) that could be fun and might fit him for a couple of years.

https://goldcountry.craigslist.org/bik/d/standard-1984-trek-520-touring-bike/7101777951.html

IanA

[Ian A]

Just looked more closely at the CL add for the 520. I'd pass on that specific one, but would keep an eye out for a better one.

[Deacon Patrick]

Size him for a Clem L he can grow into? That's what we've been doing with our four lassies and it works very well. They have such a wide range and ride b etter than any kid bikes out there, in our experience.

With abandon,

Patrick

[Nate in Oakland]

Maybe a little tall or out of your price range, but an RB-1 for $500 is a really good deal. You’re not going to find a more rivish non riv road bike. Designed (or at least design somewhat steered) by Grant back in the day.

https://sfbay.craigslist.org/pen/bik/d/palo-alto-bridgestone-rb-1-road-bike/7107197040.html

Nate

[Edwin W]

I find the best thing (and hardest, for a bike nerd dad) is to let him get what he is interested.

Give him a price range to look for on craigslist, if he is interested. Add $100-$200 because some sellers can be talked down.

If he is not interested in looking on CL (nobody in my family is as interested in looking at CL bikes as I am), send him some bikes from CL to get a sense of what he likes. AS you narrow that down, you can find something that he will like. Don't worry too much about the practicality. He he likes it, he will use it. If he cannot use it for some reason, lesson learned!! Win, win.

Good luck,

Edwin

[Michael Morrissey]

I would search Craigslist for a Kona, particularly a Unit. They look cool, can fit racks, and I think they would be a cool bike for a sixth grader.

Good luck! 

m

[tuolumne bikes]

Seems like a 5' 8" sixth grader would be spending about two years on his next bike. Looking for a particular bike is a pretty likely way to overpay or make yourself miserable.

I'd be looking for off-premium sport touring with eyelets for racks. Off-premium meaning not a canti touring, or for example, a True Temper (late 80s) era Trek vs the earlier 531 Treks. My sweet spot would be seven speed cassette or better, fat enough tires and a noticeable dent in the top tube that won't affect the ride at all.

If social distancing allows, I suggest a trip to Trips for Kids/The Recyclery in San Rafael to look at used bikes. Not the cheapest, but supports charity work with inner city kids.

Carl

[Fryfam]

Something inexpensive along the lines of my brother's old Miyata Sportcross grocery-runner might fit the bill. Was updated slightly from stock for a 3-week touring trip he took last year. Fit 135mm-spaced modern wheels with 42mm Schwalbe rubber without trouble. Plenty of early-mid 90s steel hybridity floating around Craigslist / Facebook... a couple photos just before it found another owner:

[Fryfam]

Other examples:

https://www.pedalroom.com/bike/miyata-sportcross-allroad-34899

https://www.flickr.com/photos/teesquare/4431101404/in/album-72157623880906504/

On Wednesday, May 6, 2020 at 1:46:51 PM UTC-7, Fryfam wrote:

Something inexpensive along the lines of my brother's old Miyata Sportcross grocery-runner might fit the bill. Was updated slightly from stock for a 3-week touring trip he took last year. Fit 135mm-spaced modern wheels with 42mm Schwalbe rubber without trouble. Plenty of early-mid 90s steel hybridity floating around Craigslist / Facebook... a couple photos just before it found another owner:

[John Hawrylak]

23" Schwinn Voyaguer from 1984 to 1989.  Designed as a Touring bike with all the frame attachments and forks with low rider attachments.  Columbus Tenax tubing and CroMo stays and forks.   126mm OLD rear.  

Disclaimer,  I have a 88 Voyaguer, no real complaints.

John Hawrylak

Woodstown NJ

On Tuesday, May 5, 2020 at 9:51:49 AM UTC-4, redsf wrote:

[Brendan Willard]

I'll second a Miyata tourer.  I had great time building up a Riv inspired Miyata 610. There's also a 54cm Univega Specialissima (more or less a Miyata 1000) on CL right now (5/7) that would do what you want with a little tune up and rack, but could be great candidate for inexpensive upgrades along the way.

https://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/bik/d/oakland-univega-specialissima-1984/7118589719.html

0r

https://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/bik/d/san-jose-fuji-custom-touring-town-bike/7118701606.html

my miyata:

[redsf]

It’s been great getting some tips and ideas on the types of frames to look out for. We’ll definitely figure out a way to get him on a fun bike, but Edwin’s reply reminded me of the students I teach biking to.  Our program doesn’t have much money and neither do the students, so our bikes are always some kind of crazy.  Sometimes they’ll like bikes I know are just ridiculous.  They might weigh a ton, the seat is the size of a park bench, only three gears work.  But if they’re with friends, we’re going someplace cool, they love it.

Thanks everyone!

TR

On Tuesday, May 5, 2020 at 6:51:49 AM UTC-7, redsf wrote: