20" Kids Bikes

[PappaWatTrap]

Hi Everyone,

It is almost my boys birthday and I am looking for a 20" bike. 

Any experience with the following bikes? Is there value in a fork on these bike other than "it looks cool"

AVALANCHE Flash 20" Disc Hydraulic Disk
TITAN RACING Calypso 20" Mechanical Disk
TITAN RACING Player Jr. 20" Mechanical Disk
ZINI Z20 Disc Boys Mechanical Disk
Scott Roxter 20". Mechanical Disk without fork
 

[ChrisF]

Mechanical disck is more than good enough

Suspension fork ... just add a LOT of weight.

 

The one in his colour is more important than the brand ..... from a Titan Racing fan.

 

Seems Avalanche have seen the value in this market and have stepped up their game.

[DJuice]

41 minutes ago, PappaWatTrap said:

Hi Everyone,

It is almost my boys birthday and I am looking for a 20" bike. 

Any experience with the following bikes? Is there value in a fork on these bike other than "it looks cool"

AVALANCHE Flash 20" Disc Hydraulic Disk
TITAN RACING Calypso 20" Mechanical Disk
TITAN RACING Player Jr. 20" Mechanical Disk
ZINI Z20 Disc Boys Mechanical Disk
Scott Roxter 20". Mechanical Disk without fork
 

We had two of the previous gen Titan Racing Hades SE Team bikes with air suspension and hydraulic Tektro brakes. Very nice bikes and the boys enjoyed them, getto conversion for tubeless and not a days troubles. The Suntour fork on the fist bike was very nice, the second with a guess house brand Sweep fork, not so nice, could not get the fork supple on the low weight of the boys.

I`m waiting for the new Drone JR to land in SA, it replaces the Hades SE Team version. Expecting middle Nov, not sure on the spec list but definitely air fork and hydraulic brakes and hopefully shimano gearing. 

The Player has a cool Mango color! Our second choice, if I could get an old Hades SE Team the plan was to strip and build over on the Groovy Mango.

Just yesterday we went for a ride, our youngest on a 10 year old Norco 16inch that was abused by his brothers and he could not be bothered, just out riding and enjoying life.

Never thought I would have kids, so made a promise they will always have cool shoes and bikes. Between that promise and the dogs, retirement is not on the cards.

[dewaldsss]

1 hour ago, PappaWatTrap said:

Hi Everyone,

It is almost my boys birthday and I am looking for a 20" bike. 

Any experience with the following bikes? Is there value in a fork on these bike other than "it looks cool"

AVALANCHE Flash 20" Disc Hydraulic Disk
TITAN RACING Calypso 20" Mechanical Disk
TITAN RACING Player Jr. 20" Mechanical Disk
ZINI Z20 Disc Boys Mechanical Disk
Scott Roxter 20". Mechanical Disk without fork
 

I will be following this closely as I'm in the same boat 

 

I also looked at the Silverback spyke 20 with mechanical discs and suspension fork,

the youngster wants a suspension fork for the cool factor but I'm sure with bigger tyres and lower pressure they'll have better ride on a rigid fork? 

he'll be coming off a scott volyage jr that was trouble free

the roxters are nice but can't justify the price difference over the titan player jr.20  

[DJuice]

2 hours ago, dewaldsss said:

I will be following this closely as I'm in the same boat 

 

I also looked at the Silverback spyke 20 with mechanical discs and suspension fork,

the youngster wants a suspension fork for the cool factor but I'm sure with bigger tyres and lower pressure they'll have better ride on a rigid fork? 

he'll be coming off a scott volyage jr that was trouble free

the roxters are nice but can't justify the price difference over the titan player jr.20  

@dewaldsssagree on the Scott Roxters, not worth the money. We have one in our stable, lets call it the house bike, it is only ridden in house, we are bad parents, looks spotless but has a coaster brake on the 16inch wheels.

The very nice bikes you have, not sure the Silverback will make do, friends have one and there is a difference in quality compared to the TR Hades SE.

Going from 20 to 24 different discussion, my recommendation is to skip the 24 and go straight to 26, there Giant has a very attractive offering.

27.5 and Scott and Trek comes into the picture

Will post pics when we receive the TR Drone JR and for comparison show the previous gen as well.

 

[PappaWatTrap]

3 minutes ago, DJuice said:

@dewaldsssagree on the Scott Roxters, not worth the money. We have one in our stable, lets call it the house bike, it is only ridden in house, we are bad parents, looks spotless but has a coaster brake on the 16inch wheels.

The very nice bikes you have, not sure the Silverback will make do, friends have one and there is a difference in quality compared to the TR Hades SE.

Going from 20 to 24 different discussion, my recommendation is to skip the 24 and go straight to 26, there Giant has a very attractive offering.

27.5 and Scott and Trek comes into the picture

Will post pics when we receive the TR Drone JR and for comparison show the previous gen as well.

 

Thanks for the feedback, on the roxters. There is a secondhand one available, if I can get it at a good deal would it be worth it then?

[DJuice]

3 hours ago, PappaWatTrap said:

Thanks for the feedback, on the roxters. There is a secondhand one available, if I can get it at a good deal would it be worth it then?

Do you have al link or photos?

The Roxters is finished off beautifully, like headset bumpers, cool paint jobs, small but sturdy stands and grips, but lack value on groupset and brakes compared to the other alternatives.

One of those brushed alloy look with the part set of a Titan Racing will get my money.

Edited October 20, 2025 by DJuice

[PappaWatTrap]

56 minutes ago, DJuice said:

Do you have al link or photos?

The Roxters is finished off beautifully, like headset bumpers, cool paint jobs, small but sturdy stands en grips, but lack value on groupset and brakes compared to the other alternatives.

One of those brushed alloy look with the part set of a Titan Racing will get my money.

Here are the photos, going for R5000

[DJuice]

22 minutes ago, PappaWatTrap said:

Here are the photos, going for R5000

Ask for photos from the drive side. Looks like Shimano Tourney 8speed, around R1600 to replace. Either 2024 or 2021 model. If it is 24 model, new chain and shipment, negotiate on price around R4300-R4400 If 2021 model to expensive, around R3500. New they are around R7k.

[peetwindhoek]

22 minutes ago, PappaWatTrap said:

Here are the photos, going for R5000

We’ve had both the 20” and 24” Scott Contessa models. From what I can see in your photos, the main differences might just be in the colour scheme.

I actually preferred the rigid forks - they keep the bike lighter, which is great for smaller riders. My kids were around 19 kg at the time, and with the bike weighing just over 10 kg, every bit counts. The 2.4” tyres add a nice bit of comfort too at lower pressures.

The grip shifters can be a bit hit-or-miss though. On our 24” I eventually swapped them out for inexpensive trigger shifters, and it made a big improvement - my kid was much happier with that setup. The grip shifters on the smaller bike was flawless and the only difference was 7-speed compared to iffy 8-speed (same brand) shifters.

From what I can remember they were around R5500-R6500 new a couple of years ago. 

[PappaWatTrap]

Thanks everyone. The scott does look cool with the brush finish and I prefer the rigid fork as well. 

 

I'll keep you guys posted on what I find. Appreciate all the insights,

 

[quade]

The Scott has great geometry for a 20"

Avoid suspension fork, lighties are not heavy enough.... Even 24" is questionable for a front shock 

We used Isla bikes for 20", but super rare here, there are other brands like frog etc, but not sure what is made locally that is light weight enough

I saw a nice grey/silver one at bloomendal bike park, apparently made/available locally, can't remember the name but someone might be able to comment.

rim brakes are perfectly acceptable, just make sure the levers and pedals etc are not adult sized components slapped on a tiny frame 

 

[DJuice]

8 hours ago, quade said:

The Scott has great geometry for a 20"

Avoid suspension fork, lighties are not heavy enough.... Even 24" is questionable for a front shock 

We used Isla bikes for 20", but super rare here, there are other brands like frog etc, but not sure what is made locally that is light weight enough

I saw a nice grey/silver one at bloomendal bike park, apparently made/available locally, can't remember the name but someone might be able to comment.

rim brakes are perfectly acceptable, just make sure the levers and pedals etc are not adult sized components slapped on a tiny frame 

 

Isla bikes is the best if you can get your hands on one. Company went belly up after the covid boom. 
Frogs are awesome bikes, but also only on the second hand market available.

Think you may have seen a Sprocket, cool design bikes with crisp look about them. Great for urban riding. 
We stay in the platteland, dik rooi sand, driesoring en hak en steek, therefor we need a bit more robust tyre and preferable gears. Some of the reasons why the Roxter 16inch is house bound.

The eldest have race sub nippers on their 20inch Titan Racing bikes.

https://www.sprocketbikes.co.za
Same distributor as TR.

[quade]

5 minutes ago, DJuice said:

Isla bikes is the best if you can get your hands on one. Company went belly up after the covid boom. 
Frogs are awesome bikes, but also only on the second hand market available.

Think you may have seen a Sprocket, cool design bikes with crisp look about them. Great for urban riding. 
We stay in the platteland, dik rooi sand, driesoring en hak en steek, therefor we need a bit more robust tyre and preferable gears. Some of the reasons why the Roxter 16inch is house bound.

The eldest have race sub nippers on their 20inch Titan Racing bikes.

https://www.sprocketbikes.co.za
Same distributor as TR.

Yes sprocket bikes!

That would be my choice if I didn't have a couple of Isla bikes in the garage waiting for the next kid 

Isla bikes did sadly go under, I ordered a bunch of spares when they did they announcement, but it's risky if you need something like a crankset which are crazy light and bend easy.  I've occasionally seen them pop up on this site for sale, but the sprocket was very close.

 

I changed my Isla bike tyres on arrival to big chunkies, so might be worth doing the same if you get a sprocket 

[PappaWatTrap]

2 hours ago, quade said:

Yes sprocket bikes!

That would be my choice if I didn't have a couple of Isla bikes in the garage waiting for the next kid 

Isla bikes did sadly go under, I ordered a bunch of spares when they did they announcement, but it's risky if you need something like a crankset which are crazy light and bend easy.  I've occasionally seen them pop up on this site for sale, but the sprocket was very close.

 

I changed my Isla bike tyres on arrival to big chunkies, so might be worth doing the same if you get a sprocket 

The Sprocket bikes do look like an great option as well,

One thing I am worried about is the weight, I see they are made out of steel. 

Anyone with first hand experience with the bikes? 

Edit I see they weigh 9.65, so great option. 

Edited October 21, 2025 by PappaWatTrap
Edit text

[bleedToWin]

10 hours ago, quade said:

I saw a nice grey/silver one at bloomendal bike park, apparently made/available locally, can't remember the name but someone might be able to comment.

Or perhaps Early Rider?
https://earlyrider.co.za/product/seeker-20/