Trav1s

Not sure if this is the right place or not so I trust the mods will move or delete accordingly.

I've spent nearly a year researching "next bikes" for my 8 year old daughter after learning/forgetting/relearning some important kids bikes lessons along the way. All of them are best summed up in this statement: Light weight and good fit are more important than we adults consider. She owned the road as well as paved trails and singletrack on a 16" Trek Precaliber purchased new. It was replaced with a used 20" Hotrock with hand brakes, 6 speeds, and suspension fork but never seemed confident on it. Add in a significant wipeout on more advanced singletrack and she was even less confident.

So after much research, reading, and deliberation paired with some dumb luck, I picked up a Quick 24" at REI. (I considered brands like Woom and Cleary but found myself leaning towards Trek and Cannondale, especially Cannondale after landing my Quick 1.)

https://www.cannondale.com/en-us/bik...quick-24-girls

The REI staff said they normally don't have the Quick 24 in stock but this was purchased online, directly shipped to the customer, bars were damaged in shipping, and returned to the store. A new replacement Quick 24 was ordered for the customer and the store repaired this one. The original bars were an OEM only size and they were not able to source it from their channels. The bar upgrade also required a stem upgraded - not an issue for me. (Plus, the upgraded bars make the bike look more like a small adults bike instead of a large kids bike.) I caught it before the final repairs were complete so the mechanic cut the bars to fit my daughter's needs. After adjusting the seat and the final setup, we brought it home with us.

Even on the first time out, she was more confident on the Quick 24 than the Hotrock. She started off in the top gear and did not complain then eventually rode it off a curb to get to the car. That would have never happed on the Hotrock.

So this thread will be a bit of a journal about the Quick 24 experience from a bike-savy dad's perspective.

Here are the immediate observations and things I like about it:

• It is a really light bike! She picked it up and handed it to me when I was loading it into the car - definitely lighter than the Hotrock that it is replacing
• The components are solid - Tourney 7speed will do all any kid really needs
• 24x1.50 tires roll easily and offer a comfortable ride
• She really likes the saddle that came on the bike (her statement without any prompting)
• The pink color is very unique and visible.
• REI setup is spot on.
• Saddle is comfortable
• Did I say it was really light and nimble?

Things I am not thrilled about:

• Twist grip shifter like most kids bikes (easily remedied as the brakes are separate from the shifter assembly)
• Cheap kickstand (not a Cannondale thing as far as I can tell and easily upgraded)
• Brake handles have a large reach (look like adult assemblies)

I'll be posting up pics as I go and will try to keep this up to date as life allows.

Trav1s

Here are a few pics for reference.

The bike in the back of my 2005 Outback - definitely larger than the old 20" Hotrock but so much easier to load and unload.


The old Hotrock and the new Quick 24 next to each other for reference. I installed all of her kit from the Hotrock on the Q24 before these pics. She's especially fond of the kitty wearing headphones bell.



She commented that the Cannondale saddle is MUCH more comfortable than the saddle on the Hotrock. After looking at their contours, I understand why.


Headlight swapped to the Q24


Shimano Tourney 7 speed derailuer


Rear light and hot pink bottle holder installed.


The decals are similar to my Quick 1 but in different colors. Definitely can see the resemblance in the Quick family of bikes.




More pics of the decals. There is plenty of room between the chainstays for a larger tire - I'd guess a 2.00 would easily fit.


Full bike shot in the sun with the kit installed.


Another outside shot with kit.

Trav1s

She's been on the bike for the last 30 minutes. I got my S-Works M2 down from the ceiling and we rode two laps together around one neighborhood circle. She's entirely different on the Quick 24. She has rediscovered her confidence and told me it is very easy to ride. She felt comfortable with the gears which leads to some serious speed. I'm guessing she is riding anywhere between 8 and 12 MPH on this one and suspect I will be in for a fast summer of riding with her.

Trav1s

more pics

Trav1s

Trav1s

Mods, would this be better in the hybrid subforum?

t2p

consider a lighter tire with smaller knobs / less rolling resistance

back in the day installed 24x1.75 Intense micro knobbies on some of my kid’s 24” bikes (pictured above)

don’t know if this particular tire is still available - but other similar 24” bmx race type tires should be available

Trav1s

I have considered a tire swap and will likely do it in the spring. Since we are 99% gravel I have been considering something lighter and faster without compromising durability. She's already riding much faster so I cannot imagine what a tire swap would do.

freeranger

Looks like a great bike for a kid! According to the specs on Cannondale's site, the brake lever reach is adjustable. Looks like the brake cables are a bit slack in the pics, taking out the slack should decrease the pull a little, but maybe the levers aren't set for smaller hands?
If she doesn't like the grip shift, shouldn't be too difficult to change (or have it changed) to a trigger shifter. If not doing it yourself, maybe have a shop change the tires (which you mentioned) and adjust the brakes and brake lever reach and change out the shifter while they have it. Shouldn't be too expensive. Nothing like a nice bike, shows that kids can tell the difference too!

Trav1s

thanks for the head up on the brake adjustment info. I’ll look into it this weekend. If she does not adapt to the grip then I’ll swap to triggers myself.

Viich

Tioga Powerblock wire-bead would be the lightest, fastest, cheapest option going with BMX race tires. There actually isn't a lot of top tires available in cruiser size (24"), most are 20" only.

Trav1s

Did some digging and found a trigger shifter option that I'm considering for the Q24. I'll see if the LBS has one in stock before the Amazon option:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...49VH4BIB&psc=1

Also researched tires and while I appreciate the suggestions for lighter and faster tires, I'll stick with the Kendas for now. I'd rather have a more durable tire for her.

t2p

issue with the shifters ?

they look similar to shifters that were on some of our kid’s bikes ... Shimano Revo something or another ... they worked great - and for kids (especially young kids) might be a better option than trigger type shifters

Trav1s

It is a Shimano Revo and she seems to be doing well with it so I'll probably leave it alone. This bike is much easier to shift than her old one which helps.