*A version of this article was originally published in Outside Magazine in 2012. I updated it to reflect kids bikes and kids road biking in 2018.
As we look out the window at our friend’s house in Golden, Colorado, Kalden’s eyes fix on Lookout Mountain. “I want to ride up that,” he says as he gets ready for his second road bike ride ever. Is he a wanna be cyclist that has watched too many Tour De France races? Yep! But he’s seven so don’t be too hard on him.
After years of watching us roll out of the house on road rides and countless hours watching pro tours with his Dad on TV Kalden wanted a road bike. We finally felt he was mentally and physically ready to try one out. He was set on the Scott Speedster JR 24. kids road bike. I’d like to say he took the time to research it but really he liked like the colors.
For the first ride we took him down to the Cherry Creek Bike Path in Denver. It was a nice introduction and we didn’t have to worry about any cars, just other cyclists which were happy to give him room when needed. He mimicked his favorite sprinter, Mark Cavendish, while getting comfortable in the drops. He learned that even a slight movement on a road bike and you are off your line. There is no room for goofing off and it’s not as stable as the mountain bike he’d been riding since he was three.
The next day my husband told me he was taking him on another bike path in Golden. The next thing I know I have a text picture and they are half-way up Lookout Mountain! I should have known he wasn’t joking when he set his big eyes on that climb.
After that he has toured around Boulder, rode 15 miles from Golden to Bear Creek State Park, and climbed and descended part of the Colorado National Monument. In between, he has taught himself how to ride the rollers while watching the Spring Classics. All that before he turned eight, his passion started early.
Kids Road Bikes
The Scott Speedster 24 is a nice bike. It’s a solid bike with good components, decent weight (18lbs) for that level bike, nice design and a reasonable price($700ish). In an ideal world it would be nice if it had a carbon fork (of course then the price would go up) and the handlebars also seem a little too deep. When he is in drops the top of the handlebars are up to his elbows. Unfortunately, there are only a few companies jumping into the 24 inch kids road bike market. Other companies that make kids road bikes include Diamond Back, Isla Bikes, Kona, Frog Bikes, Pinnarello and Giordano.
Kids Road Biking Tips
Here are a few tips on starting your Junior on their first road bike:
1. DETERMINE READINESS: While seven was a good age for my son, ages for starting on a road bike will vary. When I polled parents of young road bikers to find out how they knew their child was ready, they all told me their kids brought up the idea first and would not let it go. I asked Keith Snyder, a New York City-based cyclist, parent, and novelist, when he knew his daughter was ready. “When she wore out her kid bike, would not stop bugging me about it and I could afford one,” he said. Others said to make sure your child has mastered the basics of bike handling: Emergency braking, cornering, speed control, descending, and balance are all must-have skills when on a road bike.
2. START ON A BIKE PATH OR UNUSED ROAD – The shifting and handling take time to get used to. They are better off without too many people or cars around. I did find that having some people around was good because it taught him to hold his line which is a key when riding on the road.
3. USE A TRAINER – If they are into it then have them also practice shifting on the trainer. This is also a good place to practice with clipless pedals if they are going to get those. Check prices here.
4. MASTER THE BASICS: When riding on the road, remind your child to stay near or to the right of the white line. Use the shoulder or bike lane when available. Ride on the left of them (when possible) to shield them from veering too far into the lane. Straight and steady is the name of the game.
5. REMAIN CALM – The first time I rode behind him on a descent it freaked me out. He was in control but I kept imagining what would happen if he crashed and kept wanting to yell “Stop! Slow down!,” every 2 seconds. I figure this is only the beginning so I better learn to be comfortable with him at speed. Instead of yelling, remind them before the decent of any the dangers they may encounter then ride up next to them and remind them again if you need. Shouting from behind may cause them to try and look behind them and then they will crash.
6. BE BRAVE – Road biking may seem like a crazy sport for an elementary student but kids can handle a bike as well or better than most adults. Starting them young allows them to develop the proper skills that will stick with them their entire life.
7. FIND A LOCAL CLUB/RACE – Depending on where you live your child might not have too many other friends with road bikes. Click here to see if there is a junior club near you. Check the USA Cycling event page for races across the country. See if one is in your area this year for young juniors. Most races start at 9 years old.