I think collectively we should be able to find something. Lynn's budget is reasonable with shipping (especially since a small bike will squeeze down for postal rates. Keep your eyes out CR folks!
I would say that a good 20" wheeled bike is much tougher than a 24".
Has anyone seen the lovely Fuji 24" racers? They not only made a regular model but also a "Pro" model. I suspect they sold about 10 of those.
Joe Bender-Zanoni
Great Notch, NJ
> Mr. Stone;
>
> Thank you for your advice and also to everyone else that has given their
> experiences.
>
> On your advice, I did some more local research. The second-hand market is
> non-existent, spoke to clubs and bike shops all around Sydney(I would love
> for someone to prove me wrong on this). I can get a new bikes with the low
> end being a Merida TIG-welded aluminum at around $600AU to having a
> framebuilder make one with a price tag that is way out of my budget. I
have
> about $500AU to spend, that is all I can realistically I can afford, I may
> be able to stretch to buy a Merida but that is all.
>
> So $500AU is about 200GBP or $350US, so while I am keeping a weather eye
out
> on the local offerings, if I can find a bike that fits the bill and fit
into
> that price including shipping cost, I am open to buying a bike from
outside
> Australia. I really wanted find nice lugged frame(OK, maybe I am a
romantic)
> and since it will be used more for touring purposes than racing that may
> broaden the selection a bit. It only needs 10 speeds, and even if it is
just
> a frame set, I can live with buying the parts and pieces to building the
> bike. I would like something based on 20" wheels, since I have a second
son
> whose 3 years younger who will want his turn on the bike when he gets
> bigger.
>
> I am in no rush, even if I cannot find something for 6 months or more,
that
> is fine. Any leads to anything eBay would be great or private offerings
> would be appreciated. Any advice on sizing, geometry and etc, would also
be
> welcomed.
>
> Thank you
>
> P. Lynn Miller
> Sydney, Australia
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Hilary Stone" <hilary.stone@blueyonder.co.uk>
> To: "P. Lynn Miller" <lynnmiller@optusnet.com.au>
> Sent: Friday, October 31, 2003 9:15 AM
> Subject: Re: [CR]Shipping a bike.
>
>
> > No these are very common in England and I am sure can be found in
> Australia
> > too. You would be very much better off looking locally for something
> similar
> > or being slightly patient and waiting for something of quality - there
are
> > some good Italian children's racers out there. My son who is now 13 had
a
> > 24in wheel Benotto at 8 which was not especially good quality but did
have
> > good frame geometry - it was good enough for him to win the National
> Circuit
> > race Championship on. The Raleighs do not have very good geometry but
are
> a
> > good stand-in until they grow sufficiently for a nice 19in 700C wheel
> frame.
> > Email me if you have any further questions about kids racers - there
> is
> > a thriving kids racing scene here in Britain and we have built up plenty
> of
> > experience - for example correct crank length is important on kids
bikes -
> > cranks should be about 20-22% of the full inside leg length, crotch to
> > floor.
> >
> > regards
> >
> > Hilary Stone