Just Impulse Bought Another Used Specialized on CL

Kinja'd!!! "FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com" (alphaass)
09/01/2019 at 11:34 • Filed to: Two Wheels Good, Specialized, Specialized Hotrock, Specialized Camber, Found on Craigslist

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So on Friday my nearly-10-year-old walked over to a friend’s house and showed back up later riding a bike. I tried teaching her a year ago but she quickly lost interest while still on training wheels. Apparently she wanted to learn now that all her friends are riding and she’s been borrowing bikes and teaching herself how to ride without informing us and actually gotten pretty good. So I peeked on CL quick for a decent kids bike that can grow with her for a little bit and found that one of our neighbors was selling this Hotrock. It’s a 2016 (I think) 24" wheel model with a 21-speed drivetrain. Frame and fork have disc mounts, the rear can handle a cassette with more gears, and the seatpost can still go about 5" higher so there is plenty of room to grow. I paid $250 ($249 actually and the seller was adamant about giving me $1 back from my $250 in cash) which is probably a little high considering there are a few battle scars. But that just means I won’t have to worry about dings from inevitable falls. Also it has essentially brand new tires and brake pads so it is ready to go for a while without worry. It’s the start of a new adventure. Now let’s see how long before I drag her off the street and on to the trails...

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DISCUSSION (11)


Kinja'd!!! HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com
09/01/2019 at 13:02

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My kid has outgrown his 20” mountain bike, and will probably be 3 inches taller by next spring the way he’s growing now.

So I’ve been looking for a 24” or XS 26” for him. There is an old XS trek Y33 I want to pick up but the seller wants too much. 250.

I’d say for a lightly used bike like that is a fair price. You’d be looking at 500  for a new one,only difference being it would probably already have discs. I’ll probably wait for end of season sales and try to get something new. 


Kinja'd!!! Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle > FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com
09/01/2019 at 15:08

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That is awesome. Congrats to her for figuring it out.

My 5 year old girl loves the idea of riding a bike but frustration of being slow and putting in the work and fear of falling , all   scares her off(which, I get, she’s five). But I can’t wait for the day that she finally takes the leap into learning.


Kinja'd!!! HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle
09/01/2019 at 15:26

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Watching my boy get the hang of biking has been the best moment in parenting thus far. From the crying in frustration and fear, to triumphant joyous laughing and yelling,   when he rode without training wheels. 

I’m trying to get him ready to bike places on his own now, including signaling for turns. It took in a long time to take his hand off the bars without crying. He’s getting it now tho. It’s gonna be awesome seeing him ride no handed for the first time


Kinja'd!!! FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com > Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle
09/01/2019 at 17:17

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Yeah we first tried at 5 and got nowhere.  Some kids take right to it at 4 or 5 years old but most wait a little longer before jumping in.  I was stuck on training wheels from 5 to 7 and then one day just sorta went for it and figured it out.  She’ll get there when she’s ready!


Kinja'd!!! FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles
09/01/2019 at 17:58

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Yeah what I meant by a little high was maybe in that condition I could’ve haggled to $230 from $250 if I was in the mood but I was happy enough and didn’t want to haggle with a neighbor over a few bucks. Is anyone even making 26” bikes anymore - you might have to get something used if you want a whee in between 24” and 27.5” now. Looking new it might be best to get a higher end 24” on end of season sale (the new Cannondale kids bikes look really nice) and sell it to someone like me for half or more of what you paid  if he outgrows it is quickly.


Kinja'd!!! SilentButNotReallyDeadly...killed by G/O Media > FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com
09/01/2019 at 18:36

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Nice...as you say though, perhaps a tad expensive. The lad has a Polygon Relic 24" with disc brakes that we picked up new for AU$ 350 by way of an example. I think the Hot Rock was around AU $55 0 new with a lesser spec...

Be a little wary of the trail worthiness of the fork once she gets up to speed. Especially if it’s an elastomer or coil spring fork. The one on the Relic has no damping to speak of...

Other than that...see if you can go 1x on the crank set with a bigger ratio spread rear cassette . It’ll drop a heap of weight off the bike and be much less confusing to operate.


Kinja'd!!! FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com > SilentButNotReallyDeadly...killed by G/O Media
09/01/2019 at 18:54

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Yeah I’be basically told her to leave the front chainring alone for now.  A 1x setup would be nice - i need to see what fits.  I know the fork will need to go once she gets better but I don’t really know what else is out there in 24”.  I’m seriously considering a carbon seatpost and handlebar because the ones that are on there now are boat anchors and probably a big part of the reason this bike weighs almost exactly the same as my XL frame full suspension 27.5” bike. 


Kinja'd!!! SilentButNotReallyDeadly...killed by G/O Media > FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com
09/01/2019 at 19:37

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SR Suntour do a 24" air fork but the one I can get is disc brake only. And it’s still very heavy at 4.3 lbs. Even though it’d fit and is only $139... I’m still prevaricating.

I made the Relic a 1x using a different crank from a Raleigh kids bike. Cost was $15.


Kinja'd!!! HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com
09/01/2019 at 23:53

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There are still a few 26”ers out there made for smaller riders. My main problem with 24” bikes is that they all seeem to come with grip shifters which are just garbage on a trail, especially for a kid when they are trying their best just to keep the bike upright, trying to twist your wrist to shift gears it just too much. Twist shifts should be reserved for comfort bikes and that’s it. 


Kinja'd!!! FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles
09/02/2019 at 00:47

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Yeah I’m not a fan of the grip shifter either... I think it’s an odd choice on kids bikes. Henson has a Shimano 7- speed rapid fire shifter for $11 that I’m considering after watching her struggle with the grip shifter today. 


Kinja'd!!! HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com
09/02/2019 at 01:22

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That’s pretty cheap. Seems a worthwhile upgrade.