Lots of kids on Racers all of a sudden!

[downfader]

First noticed this after the last week of the Tour de France. Riding through the back streets of Shirley and seeing the local teens riding their bikes in a small group of about 7 or 8. Most of the kids I see around there are on BMX of some sort.

Then today I'm riding down Wilton Road (I think) and two kids in the distance cross in front on old racers. They loooked like Sun or Raliegh but I didnt really look. I end up heading the same way as them, we all get cut up by some plank in a beemer who decided that wheel spinning was "clever". To everyone's credit they ignore him and manage to ride safely down the rest of the road..

..until the lad in front signals left. I signal right and pull over as I'm going straight on. The lad behind has a "funny moment" and forgets where his brakes are, panics, and ploughs right into the back of the first kid, skittling him over. He was unharmed but furious. They seemed alright so I left them and rode off.

So. The moral of the story: if you're going from a BMX/Mtb to a racer - learn where the brakes are!

Anyone else noticed kids taking up more racey bikes, skinny wheels etc?

 

[cyberknight]

I do not know about kidss but there has been a real influx of new riders on my club run, we had to split the group i ride with into 2 runs on Sunday to accommodate the new people .

At least i did not fall of this week

 

[DrSquirrel]

I've seen a 2 as well - before that the only kids "road bike" with drops I have ever seen was in a shop!

(Both were with at least one other adult on a road bike too).

 

[downfader]

I do not know about kidss but there has been a real influx of new riders on my club run, we had to split the group i ride with into 2 runs on Sunday to accommodate the new people .

At least i did not fall of this week

That sounds cool. I've said to a few people recently about cycle clubs and how they can get you fit, fresh air, etc. Would be nice to think someone had a look as an alternative to the unused gym, lol!

I've seen a 2 as well - before that the only kids "road bike" with drops I have ever seen was in a shop!

(Both were with at least one other adult on a road bike too).

These have been what I would call a small frame (around 49-50cm at a guess) rather than a child's bike. If you get me.

They'll be trying to scalp us next!

 

[HLaB]

At least i did not fall of this week

Neither did I, but I gave it a miss

 

[Bicycle]

If this is true, it is good news for me.

My youngest is about to outgrow a 43cm Trek 1.2 road bike on diddy 650 wheels.

It's all low-end Shimano with the now standard carbon forks and seat post.

It's in lovely condition, but in my experience the only bike for which there's no demand is the one I'm trying to offload.

If there's a sudden upsurge in demand for kid-sized bicycles, I shall be jolly happy.

 

[fossyant]

No, anyone who is on any bike is a gonner..more so this week.. Road bike engaged as fixed is broke. Ahem....

 

[atbman]

There's a considerable increase in the number of kids taking part in circuit racing and some of them (quite a lot, actually) ride better bikes than I've ever had

 

[Baggy]

Our LBS said they've had a big increase in sales of kids' road bikes in the last few months.

 

[Jezston]

No, anyone who is on any bike is a gonner..more so this week.. Road bike engaged as fixed is broke. Ahem....

Huh?

 

[WychwoodTrev]

I saw a couple of young lads in oxford on my way home last night on ikle road race bikes

 

[Browser]

I've seen several recently, as you say young kids on a variety of machines, but defenitely skinny-tyred road bikes. I can't remember any other years where the TDF inspired so many wannabees to get out and emulate the professionals in the same way as all tennis courts are fully booked after Wimbledon.
And yes, there are lots of older machines, Raleigh Sun Solo vintage-machines et al, and I think it should be encouraged.
On our recent summer hols Miss Browser, aged eight, expressed a desire to try a 'racer' when we next change her bike, so I'm looking already!

 

[jonny jeez]

My mates teenage son has opted to buy a roadie. Most bike shops are now swamped with them and seem to be replacing MTB's for roadies...I think there is a defined change in vogue right now. Maybe the winter will show a return to all things MTB, plus the 2011 season (Bike ranges) is over now so new models will probably be MTB.

 

[YahudaMoon]

Yeah , even the drug dealers use em nowadays.

 

[Browser]

...I think there is a defined change in vogue right now. Maybe the winter will show a return to all things MTB,

Hopefully not, people will (possibly) realise that they are allowed to own more than one bike?
We need to spread the N+1 message far and wide