I’m going to pick one of THESE up for Speeder Jr this week and am wondering about making a few upgrades to make it a bit better than its stock spec.
Things that I’d like to improve:
Stem – SpdR Jr isn’t that big so I’d like to make it a bit less xc. I’ve got a couple of 35/50mm options I can try if it’s got an 1+1/8” steerer that Frog have said it comes with though they’re probably a bit bling for a kids bike – will be light though.
Bars – I could do with some nice light risers if anyone has got any unfashionably narrow ones that are a decent make I could be tempted. Prob about 15-20mm rise and with as small a centre section as possible so I can cut them down and still get eh controls to sit right. Alloy or carbon acceptable but nice and cheap – prob 31.8mm dia though I do have a 25.4 stem somewhere..
Grips – He’s currently on a CNOC 16 so is used to very thin grips – I could buy the IslaBike ones from them but am just wondering if there are any alternatives? The Grom lockons are probably too big diameter so I’m thinking silicon but I read that even the ESI Racer ones are 30mm and that’s the same as lockons – anyone know anything more like 26mm diameter?
Tyres – Going to get some Maxxis MaxDaddys as they just look like proper off road tyres.
Gears – I’ve got a load of good SRAM 9-speed left over after upgrades so I can bin the gripshift and boat anchor mech but that’ll require a new freewheel (not a cassette hub by all account) so it would need a 9 speed freewheel – anyone know if the 9-speed freewheels are a direct swap?
Oh and anyone any experience with 6y/os using SRAM triggers? I seem to remember they were a bit on the stiff side compared to Shimano.
Seat/Post – going to swap the big fat saddle for a Pivotal BMX one should dump a load of weight.
Fork – I know the Spinner one is considered pretty good and is pretty cost effective but will wait to see what the one fitted is like first.
I’m sure the cranks are ok for now and there’s no need for disks at this stage – I don’t think.
Cheers for any input.
Gary