My daughters second triatholon

[Okeydokey]

So Catherine is 10, which in the eyes of the Tri commitee means she races against 11 & 12 year olds, WTF! is that about? Anyway... She has done a tri, a few months ago, loved it and came second.. Woooh! (except) Now she wants to do another. The way things are heading she is going to need a new bike. At ten years old she is well over four foot but not quite five.

Given that here in sunny Dorset most of the childrens tri's involve across sports fields bike sections:

Q.1. Do I invest in a small framed adult cycle?
Q.2. She has never ridden drop handlebars, if I insist she will; good idea or bad?
Q.3. Is there a budget way of doing this?
Q.4. Is 'ridden' a real word?

 

[derrick]

If she fits a small adult frame that's fine, but she will not do to well with a bike that is to big, Kids don't come cheap, two of my grandaughters get through a few different sized bikes, they will be on 24" wheels this year. more expense but what can you do.

 

[HarryTheDog]

My daughter was in a tri club some years ago, as youth tri bike ride sections are on grass ( as you mentioned) a cross-bike was the recomended tool. The Isla bike Luath 26 is usually the low cost defacto bike for youth 9+ cross riders. I would wait till she is 5ft before going for a 700c wheel. https://www.islabikes.co.uk/products/bikes/item/luath-26
they are a tad heavy but fairly bombproof