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Just measured the blighter and according to the highpath website he needs 160mm cranks. I was planning on the £30 Suntour jobby, but they are 152mm. Humph. Anyone know any half decent make of cheapish 160mm cranks, most seem to start at 165mm+?
He'll be fine with 152...
He’ll be fine with 165 too...
I just bought a pair of 150mm HUP cranks. Apparently these are good all the way up to 5'5" so there should be some mileage in them. Super-narrow q-factor though so when fitting to 26-incher frame, a wider square taper BB is required (110.5 up to 125 ish). I've bought three new square taper BB's from Amazon and will return the other two once I work out which fits best in terms of chainstay clearance and heal rub.
Today I also discovered that RS 26" 100m forks have a lower axle-to-crown than Suntour XCE 26* 100m forks. Not sure that's a good thing as it will steepen the head tube angle. May have to think again here. Possibly a 120mm 650b fork.
I think I'm tempted to go with 152 for now, he's coming from 140 so it's probably a better step. And I've found some bmx cranks at 160 that aren't too pricey that he can move to in time if needed.
Regarding chainring, is it a 104bcd narrow wide that I need (going on the Suntour Junior + 11speed shimano xt). And would there be any major problems with getting used - the chainrings that I've had always seem to last forever?
Got some 26" Fox forks up for sale if classifieds
I think I’m tempted to go with 152 for now, he’s coming from 140 so it’s probably a better step. And I’ve found some bmx cranks at 160 that aren’t too pricey that he can move to in time if needed.
I think you probably took the largest in the range when you used the calculator:)
Always size down... my kid is still on 142mm until I find some cheap cranks to cut down.
Do you know A/C / minimum travel or the serial?
(Against my better judgment just bought a 24" Norco jump bike for £100 with old Marzocchi shocks.. won't see the bike till next monday but half expecting shocks to be shot) looks like it has Halo hubs so hopeful I'll be able to convert the front. )
No but if you tell me where to find the number and the info I will have a look
Regarding chainring, is it a 104bcd narrow wide that I need (going on the Suntour Junior + 11speed shimano xt). And would there be any major problems with getting used – the chainrings that I’ve had always seem to last forever?
Yes, that Suntour XCT is standard 104 BCD. I imagine a lightly worn chainring would be fine (I've sold chainrings which are a year old and have just had anodising stripped, no other wear), just check the tooth profile before buying.
Fox serial number is usually a sticker behind left leg - top of the slider. 4 digits I think, alphanumeric.
Thanks Rich
Yep sorry just need the 4 character ID for Fox
Had to pick up concrete posts which I found close to twisted oaks and somehow had bikes in the van 😉 so not home now
Thanks @rossburton.
Another q question - would https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/brand-x-headset-44-56iiss-sealed/rp-prod130950 work with the brand x frame if using a straight steerer.
If so, annoyingly that one is out of stock, so if there are alternatives in that price range, much appreciated!
Cheers
Superstar headsets are reasonably priced and let you add a splash of colour.
Following this thread with interest as I'm about to build up a 26er for my massively tall 7 year old.
What's everyone thinking for frames? Anything about better than the Brand-X HT-01 in size Small?
Thanks again @rossburton for the suggestion. The ZS56/30 all appear out of stock there too, humph. But will keep an eye for when back in stock.
If it helps anyone, Decathlon have their ST-520 frames for £120 currently - https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/st-520-27-5-frame-black/_/R-p-201451
Geo. looks similar to the Brand X and £30 cheaper.
dogthompson
What’s everyone thinking for frames? Anything about better than the Brand-X HT-01 in size Small?
That depends what they will be using the bike for.
stevextc
That depends what they will be using the bike for.
Well, for my lad we mostly ride locally, so singletrack, bridleways and a bit of messing about in the woods, nothing too gnar. He currently rides a 20" wheeled Kona Makena which is pretty heavy and has a pretty clunky RST fork.
However, I want to start taking him a bit further afield, Peaks, Sherwood Pines, Dalby, that sort of thing. I thought a small 26" wheeled alu HT with a proper fork would be the way to go to build his confidence.
Any other frame recommendations based on that?
However, I want to start taking him a bit further afield, Peaks, Sherwood Pines, Dalby, that sort of thing. I thought a small 26″ wheeled alu HT with a proper fork would be the way to go to build his confidence.
Any other frame recommendations based on that?
He'd need to be a really massively tall 7yr old.. especially if the aim is more confidence.
If they were already sending it and you wanted something just for
singletrack, bridleways and a bit of messing about in the woods, nothing too gnar
and long pedal days then you might get away with it.
stevextc
He’d need to be a really massively tall 7yr old
He's 4'5" to be fair!
Does it bother him if he can't put a foot on the ground?
@dogthomson That was the height mine was when he just turned 8, he's now 4ft 10 less than a year later! It is a bit of an awkward height in terms of you might only get a year out of a 24 inch bike. I don't know if you can do a small 26inch build and put 24 inch wheels on it to start with (like the suggestion for me to get a 27.5 inch frame and start with 26 in wheels).
On the subject of 24", I just found a rockshox hydra fork that I thought I had lost - I got it for the 24 inch build that I never got around to doing, 1.3kg and nice motion, think its 80mm travel. Anyone any idea what it might be worth??
Quick question - does this look ok to more learned eyes in terms of not being too worn:
I'd buy it.
It is a bit of an awkward height in terms of you might only get a year out of a 24 inch bike. I don’t know if you can do a small 26inch build and put 24 inch wheels on it to start with (like the suggestion for me to get a 27.5 inch frame and start with 26 in wheels).
Yeah it's really not a good height... I guess you could put 24 wheels on a 26 but its a bigger difference than 26->27.5 ... (because 27.5 isn't really 27.5) you'd likely get problems with hitting the BB or chainring etc. (even with short cranks)
If you took an 'oldschool' 26 it would be bigger (for any given bike/size when they swapped to 27.5 wheels got bigger and frame got less tall) but there are now even smaller 26ers for kids with modern geometry but smaller.
We just stuck with the 24 we already had until he was big enough for the 27.5 with 26 wheels.
The 24 turned out to be a good buy in that it lasted a few years and we managed to miss a step out.
Does it bother him if he can’t put a foot on the ground?
If the answer to this is no then you might get away with the 26 on a 27.5 frame on non techy stuff... my lad was riding my Med HT XC bike with his cranks fitted at that sort of size but only on non tech stuff and he can trackstand indefinitely (to all intents) and doesn't mind falling off (worryingly seems to quite like it sometimes) - from what you said about building confidence though I don't think it would be a good idea.
Ok, going for that chainring, another item off the list...Back to headset!
I'm getting there, but still trying to sort the fork on this. Any opinions on a Suntour Radion 27.5 fork. Seem to be not too much heavier than say a reba and relatively robust. Do you think these can be adjusted down to be usable for a 35kg kid? Thanks
If I'd noticed this thread earlier, I would have mentioned that I'm selling this:
Just finished building my 8yr old's 26er. Will post a new thread for it. Had massive budget creep. It started out as a totally stock new Voodoo Nzumbi 13" from Halfrauds and ended up something quite different including new paint, RS Reba's, Deore brakes, Zee group, new superstar wide rim wheels Renthal bars, Thomsen stem and so on.
He absolutely loves it and flies on it. Saddle is pretty much towards the bottom right now, and he is running 152mm cranks and a 100m airshaft in the Reba's (which are 27.5 forks). I have a 120mm air shaft to go in once he is ready for it.
Looks properly pimp in Audi Nardo Grey with new blue graphics (very different to the original fluro orange).
Shameless opportunism...did you track down a suitable frame ?
My lads XS (13”) Spesh Hotrock frame is looking for a new owner.
I sorted my fram - got a new Brand X one. Fork is the main problem at the moment (thought I had sorted one, but hadn't!)