20" Kids Bikes

[bleedToWin]

17 hours ago, DJuice said:

438grams

Yeah, I'm scratching the Crown Gem 20x2.6 (that's available locally) off the list. Can't get myself to install a 620g tyre! 😭

[DJuice]

On 3/9/2026 at 9:04 AM, bleedToWin said:

Yeah, I'm scratching the Crown Gem 20x2.6 (that's available locally) off the list. Can't get myself to install a 620g tyre! 😭

The 2.4 Vee Tire is 748.

Set still available for free.

Edited March 12 by DJuice

[bleedToWin]

Thanks @DJuice for all the info. I've made plans for my own set of Rocket Ron 20x2.25 from the UK. 😀 Excited for it, and don't think anything else would have come close.

If anyone comes across this thread after exhausting all local options I might be able to help out with bringing stuff over...

[DJuice]

4 minutes ago, bleedToWin said:

Thanks @DJuice for all the info. I've made plans for my own set of Rocket Ron 20x2.25 from the UK. 😀 Excited for it, and don't think anything else would have come close.

If anyone comes across this thread after exhausting all local options I might be able to help out with bringing stuff over...

@bleedToWin great choice, we could not be happier and sure you will also be happy. After fitting the Rocket Ron`s, Tom now wants to go and ride, yesterday even took the road with his elder brother and friend. Normally I need to ride with or run along. The RR seated easy and holding up to duwweltjies after the rain.  

[RahulM]

Apologies to OP if this seems hijacking of the thread. Any opinions about Trek MT60 20-inch boys' mountain bike ? They seem to go above 3K on bikehub for secondhand ones but I can't seem to find new prices for comparison. 

[bleedToWin]

26 minutes ago, RahulM said:

but I can't seem to find new prices for comparison

It hasn't been sold new in over a decade. My gut says you can get better value with something more modern, but it all depends on what you are looking for really.

[RahulM]

Just now, bleedToWin said:

It hasn't been sold new in over a decade. My gut says you can get better value with something more modern, but it all depends on what you are looking for really.

Thanks, looking for first bike for my 8 year old son. Don't want to spend too much since I will have to upgrade within 2 years. This seemed like a good brand but 4K seems too much for 10 year old bike.

I will have a look at FB marketplace for modern brands then as resellers here seem to price secondhand ones rather high. I mean I understand they need to make profit but still. 

[bleedToWin]

28 minutes ago, RahulM said:

first bike for my 8 year old son

I see so many kids on bikes too big for them, but unless kiddo is small for his age he might already be better suited for 24"

 

 

29 minutes ago, RahulM said:

I will have a look at FB marketplace for modern brands then as resellers here seem to price secondhand ones rather high. I mean I understand they need to make profit but still.

Weird take. There are resellers on the hub, but they're mostly adding value. The private sellers most ride themselves so you have higher chance of a well maintained bike too. FB will be filled with scammers and poorly maintained bikes. 

[DJuice]

2 hours ago, RahulM said:

Thanks, looking for first bike for my 8 year old son. Don't want to spend too much since I will have to upgrade within 2 years. This seemed like a good brand but 4K seems too much for 10 year old bike.

I will have a look at FB marketplace for modern brands then as resellers here seem to price secondhand ones rather high. I mean I understand they need to make profit but still. 

I`m with @bleedToWinour eldest son is on a 24 inch and he is 8 years old, turning 9 in June. 

Been eyeing him and was thinking he can comfortable ride a 26inch and we are average hight.

The two 5 year olds are on 20 inch and the one is already eye that 24inch red Titan.

Edited 11 hours ago by DJuice
Foto added for you to see the height.

[WR 1.0]

1 hour ago, RahulM said:

Thanks, looking for first bike for my 8 year old son. Don't want to spend too much since I will have to upgrade within 2 years. This seemed like a good brand but 4K seems too much for 10 year old bike.

I will have a look at FB marketplace for modern brands then as resellers here seem to price secondhand ones rather high. I mean I understand they need to make profit but still. 

There's a few Titan's for sale on Marketplace for around R3500 to R5000. For me that would be a safe bet

[Akon]

['Kaze Pete]

Opinion: For 20" bikes get the kid a single speed, rigid front fork - or a BMX (short frame).
It will be easier for them to learn to jump / bunny hop / wheelie than to pretend to go do marathons and cross country.
 

[RahulM]

5 hours ago, bleedToWin said:

I see so many kids on bikes too big for them, but unless kiddo is small for his age he might already be better suited for 24"
 

Yeah, he is on the short side for 8-9 year old, about 125cm so 10-15cm shorter than SA average. I will go with 20 inch for now - don't want to scare him off with a BIG bike. 🙂 Thanks.

[ChrisF]

2 hours ago, 'Kaze Pete said:

Opinion: For 20" bikes get the kid a single speed, rigid front fork - or a BMX (short frame).
It will be easier for them to learn to jump / bunny hop / wheelie than to pretend to go do marathons and cross country.
 

 

Must admit I am sitting on the fence on this one ....

 

Maritz had a 5 or 6 speed 20".  With the trails we did and the SPUR school series he USED the gears.  Around here you need a climbing gear, and along the faster sections he had to use the small gear to keep up .....

 

Then a buddy joined him, on a single speed BMX .... He was simply used standing and powering up short hills.  Similarly, he had one mean cadence to keep up when it got fast .....  But around our trails he did run out of steam with all the climbing ......

 

My gut feeling .... a BMX style bike is perfect for the age group.  Lighter, simpler ... 

 

BUT .... if you are in a hilly area, or planning on the schools series .... then you may need the gears. 

 

Though a scary precentage of the youngsters got flustered with the gears by lap two .... 

[bleedToWin]

4 minutes ago, ChrisF said:

Though a scary precentage of the youngsters got flustered with the gears by lap two .... 

"CHANGE GEARS!! CHANGE GEARS"

The collective shouting of all parents for the sub-nippers when the gradient changes!

[ChrisF]

46 minutes ago, bleedToWin said:

"CHANGE GEARS!! CHANGE GEARS"

The collective shouting of all parents for the sub-nippers when the gradient changes!

 

Followed by .... "The OTHER way ...."