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My Sons little "9R"


MuddyMike

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Posted

My son of 9 loves riding and has progressed from tiny makro raleigh through to a 20" silverback which all did what they bought to do. When it came time to replace his current bike I was looking at all the options and nothing I could find really ticked the boxes for me. The bikes were either small adult bikes, very heavy kids bikes - why should we make a little kid ride bikes of 14kg + or if you could find something that was pretty decent it cost a small fortune. So I decided to do a special build for him.

 

1st problem, finding an XS 26er frame, it just wasnt possible so in the end I found a really nice looking Titan Hades 26 9R kids specific bike, I didnt want any of the components but the frame looked great. Geometry just like a mini 29er. Bought the bike sold all the components on the hub except for the seatpost and seat.

 

OK now I had a starting point. Wheels had to be tubeless, nothing worse as a kid having puncture after puncture (another reason why 24" wasnt an option). Found some ZTR Alpine rims for a bargain and built them onto some decent Tank Comp hubs I had in the cupboard. Fitted a Kenda small block 8 on the back and a Schwalbe Nobby Nik on the front - tubeless. Found some bargains on the Hub with regards to bar, cassette and chain. Bought a Deore 10spd clutch derailler. Then the decision 2 x 10 or 1 x10.........I finally decided on 1 x 10 for simplicity sake and with a range of 11-36 x 32 that would be perfect for pretty much anything he would tackle on a 26" bike.

 

2nd Problem, finding a crank. Why dont manufacturers make decent short cranks for kids :cursing: . Very frustrating. 170mm or 175mm just dont work for kids and this can cause knee problems (no taking chances there) and makes pedalling very inefeiceint through the top of the pedal stroke. So I bought a Deore crank (not a hollow crank so easy to work with), sent it to fellow hubber Ampandy (genius) :thumbup: for some surgery. We cut out 2.5cm of the crank arm to reduce the crank to 150mm. His work is fantastic and after been flatted off with some waterpaper, sandblasted and powder coated it looks great and fitted with a green Kitted 32t wonder ring it should perfom just great.

 

Final bike weight incl pedals and cage - 10.4kg

 

Well here is the end product. Cost me a shade over R6000 (I had hubs, tyres, brakes and stem). I am happy knowing my son has a decent bike, and he is happy because his bike is uber cool. :clap:  :clap:

Champion Dad!  :thumbup:

Posted

jeez, you okes make me blush :blush:

 

But seriously I had as much fun building the bike as he had helping me and riding it. Its lekker searching for solutions, buying bits and pieces to make the whole project a success.

 

Anyway I wouldnt have had 1% of the knowledge I have of bikes now if it wasnt for the hub and everyday I learn something new. :thumbup:

Posted

Well done!!!!!!!

 

Will we be seeing him at the XCO races soon, at his age there is the Nippers (u/10) category and he should smoke it!!!!!!

Posted

Where can we apply to be your 'son'?? Is there a form somewhere perhaps? Will you take a 43year old youngster???

 

Good job dude! He must be as amped to ride it as he was to be a part of the build!

Posted

The saddle height will need to be raised about 2.5cm to compensate for the shorter crank. The bike bike is a touch big for him now but at the rate he is growing it will be fine in 6 months. I also want this one to last a few years. Friends have tried the 24" ghetto TL conversion with very limited success. I reckon go big or go home :)

Why don't you throw on a short stem? 40mm maybe...

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