Yes. Used bike is the way to go if you are capable to assess the bike’s condition. Plan for a hardtail. Budget for new drivetrain, seat, brake pads, tires (may not need it, but likely). Fork service may be needed too.

All those potentials are a reason to look new, but on the other hand, upgrading over OEM has the potential to vastly improve on the bike.

Then dedicate your time to focus on her passion. This is one of the harder things to do with a busy schedule - your solo riding time becomes your riding time together. Worth every moment though.

If she progresses and starts needing more bike, then you may be looking at another bike in a couple years.

Having gone through this same exercise, with a 12 yo daughter now about to start 2nd year of NICA team, my suggestion would also be (if it’s clear she’s serious) extend your budget. I know this is easier typed then done and we all have our limits (prepare yourself to see kids on $8k S-works) but double your budget and you’ll start with a more capable rig. Don’t get me wrong, as Lance said, it’s not about the bike, but riding a 25 lb bike vs a 30 lb bike can make a fairly significant difference, especially if the weight loss is in wheels, fork, and tires.

 

This isn’t her main sport. She initially didn’t want to join but I convinced her to go to the try it ride which she enjoyed. Coaches have told me she’s doing great, but I’m not certain how long she’ll stick with it. She came home from a local dirt and wanted to go out to a field and practice her starts.
Unfortunately I can’t ride bc of chronic medical issues so she’s limited to team practices for now.

I assume she’ll need another bike if she sticks with it in a few years if she grows. I don’t really see being able to extend the budget anytime in the near future, hopefully when she sizes up.

My son rode last year so I’m well aware of the bike envy. I don’t know anything about bike maintenance but willing to watch videos and learn.
Any models I should look out for? I’ve been looking on marketplace but most people are still asking Covid prices, more than I could get new w nica discount.

 

Loads of used bikes being sold post Covid 19. I've seen some good deals, even a few FS. If you want a HT, you may find a discount from a major manufacturer as their inventory is piling up for the same reason. I can't unload the last of my old trail bikes. I'll most likely dump it on the market for next to nothing, and it's in perfect condition with lots of boutique parts, just older.

 

I assumed we’d have to stick w HT at that price. Any suggestions on what to look for?

 

In my area used bikes in the 4'8" range are hard to find in craigslist / Facebook market place. My team seems to have a lot of transaction between families in the spring.

I would try to use the Cannondale this season and see what you can buy via the connections you make next season

 

Check with your local shops for deals. Our shop offers a 20% NICA discount.

 

At her height you should stick with 27.5 wheels. Hardtail for sure, it will be way lighter and less expensive if she bails on bikes. If you go too cheap, the weight will sky rocket. It does not have to be world cup (2012) light, but, you want her to feel the bike accelerate when she is trying her best. NICA courses are designed for every ability, so a HT will get around the courses just fine. Teach her to stand up, elbows out.

Enjoy this time with your daughter. IF she wants to go fast, really fast, like former NICA racers Gwen Gibson and Kate Courtney, SHE will choose that path. You sir are just along for her ride.



DT

 

Trek gives 25% off you would be looking at a marlin 7 gen 3 (slightly over budget) or gen 2 (slightly under budget). Both are better than the Cannondale she has. That being said Unless something is wrong with the Cannondale I would keep her on that for the season.

 

Trek gives 25% off you would be looking at a marlin 7 gen 3 (slightly over budget) or gen 2 (slightly under budget). Both are better than the Cannondale she has. That being said Unless something is wrong with the Cannondale I would keep her on that for the season.

Agreed. I picked up a new Marlin 7 gen 2 a couple months ago. I’d classify it as a good “get you up and moving on two wheels” option (what it was for me), but I don’t think anything about that particular bike is going to be much of an upgrade over a run of the mill HT in decent condition.

 

Funny this comes up. 67Prince is in his first NICA season. He's dabbled in and out of all activities, each of the past few years he has gotten more into it. Bought him a used XS Liv full suspension for Christmas. It is heavy as heck, most of the NICA courses here don't need an FS bike, and he has gorwn a few inches, and put on 15 pounds since them. Was going to hand him down my M Giant Stance, but now that NICA is in the picture, that is is too heavy, too.

So I just bought him a cheap hardtail frame from AliExpress. I have an older hardtail I bought used a year or so ago to see what I thought of gravel. Open mold bike with good components. Ended up buying a Lauf for 67Queen, and rode the generic bike with her when we rode together. Otherwise, I swap seats on the Lauf and ride it (I'm pretty short, 5'7", and she is 5'6", so same size bike). At any rate, since I built a better XC bike (Fezzari) over the Winter, I don't need the generic one any more, I just ride my XC one. So I'm taking all the XT components and carbon wheels off of the generic frame and putting it on the smaller one. He'll ride it this year, but probably either ride the Fezzari of mine next year, or I may spring for a used FS XC bike for him, depending on how he takes to it.

I bought the Liv for $1000, but spent another couple hundred converting it to a 1X12, from a 2X. I had spent $1000 on the generic bike, then $300 on the frame. You may luck out, but it will be hard to find a good bike for $700. If you are comfortable with building bikes, I wouldn't rule out spending some money, and anticipating buying some frames as she grows, and just moving the good stuff over to the new frame.

 

The Polygon Xtrada is a nice bike, the 7 is currently on sale at $899 but that sounds like it's well over your budget. The 6 is on sale for $750, the major negative about it is the fact that it has a heavy coil fork:

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Looks like the polygon will be too big at 4'8" using their calculator

 

I think the main problem you will find is trying to find a frame for someone that height. My wife is 5'2 and she's on an extra small. Shopping for extra small frames are tough second hand because they're outside of the bell curve. You may even consider getting 26 inch wheels. I wouldn't hesitate if something like that came along.

 

Here is my daughter on her small ibis. It is for sale and I will make you a hell of a deal. I would love to see it go to another female high schooler

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This would be a great option if you can work something out as well. The dv9 is an amazing frame.


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Wheel weight (or lack of it) will make the biggest performance difference. I suggest shadowing pink bike and getting some xc layup 27.5 rims. There are usually some good sets available, try to stay in the 1300g range (for both front and back). With 600g tires and a lightweight xc rear insert, you can get a set of wheels in the 2700g range ready to ride.

This will make a measurable improvement in speed, agility, and enjoyment. I put my 14 year old on a vintage FS, then a modern trail HT, then a carbon XC HT (lightweight build!), but it wasn't until the light wheels went on the bike that they started riding with the leaders.

Full suspension may be more comfortable, but none of the trails in our race series needed it. I did the pre-rides easily on a rigid. . . . race rules required all obstacles to be 'rollable' (wheels on the ground).

 

Kiddo joined a NICA team.
A month ago she’d only ridden on sidewalks in our neighborhood on her Woom 5 (24”). Now she’s on a hand me down Cannondale Trail 8 XS 27.5. She’s 4’8 and 75lbs.
Is it worth looking for a used bike ~$700 range? I know it doesn’t get me much. Any makes/ models I should keep an eye out for?

A used bike in the $700 range will get you a ton after Labor Day.

The problem is the availability on the sizing. Take a look at see what Trailcraft has to offer, and if you can find one used.

Also with NICA, the team should be able to tell you where you can get discounts.

 

If you’re willing to learn, eBay and Aliexpress are your best options.

My son is 4’8” and 61lbs racing this year as an 11yr old. Got him a trifox carbon frame already built up to around 20ish lbs off of eBay for $540. It’s a 29er frame but he is running 27,5x2.6 tires and it works very well. His is a size small.

I highly recommend the trifox frame as it has a removable piece at the head tube that will allow for much lower bars than most bikes.

For $700 you could probably even get a frame and either a better fork or a better wheelset and use many of the parts from the cannondale. It will end up much lighter than what she has.


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Like some of the others have said. Trek offers a 25% discount assuming you have the right dealer around your area. You could think about a direct to consumer bike brand. Looking used if your patient and keep a eye open you can find a good deal. It might need a little bit of love and some new parts possibly. Even make contract with the local school team and ask around sometimes some family member or racer upgrades to a new bike and sells their current bike. Also at this time of year local bike shops are slowly starting to put 2023 models on sell to get ready for the 2024 bikes, keep a eye open for end of year deals too. Good luck. Keep up updated. Want to see what happens at the end of this story.

 

Many ways to look at this. I wouldn't worry so much about brand and get what will fit her. Finding a bike that will fit her and allow her to grow a little into is the key, imo. Nothing too big by all means. Many places to look for a bike. Facebook marketplace, online local classifieds, used sporting good outfits, a bicycle collective if you have one in the area. Check with the local team and see if anyone is selling any bikes, coaches kids, ride leaders, other kids on the team. Now far as new bikes like others have said trek bikes offers a 25% discount on their bikes. Show them your kids nica pit zone account. Other bike shops will other some nica discount depending on the shop. I wouldn't spend alot until she's really into it.

When my did was about to start his first year of high school we got him a cannondale trail for about $800. After getting the bike he found that his high school had a nica team. He joined the team and rode that cannondale for two years with upgrades the second year. He still has that bike as a backup to his fezzari he rides now. We told him you show us your commitment and ride that cannondale and we'll get a new bike. To this day he still loves riding. He says he will miss riding on the team this being his last year. But he thinks about being a ride leader possibly.

 

Many ways to look at this. I wouldn't worry so much about brand and get what will fit her. Finding a bike that will fit her and allow her to grow a little into is the key, imo. Nothing too big by all means. Many places to look for a bike. Facebook marketplace, online local classifieds, used sporting good outfits, a bicycle collective if you have one in the area. Check with the local team and see if anyone is selling any bikes, coaches kids, ride leaders, other kids on the team. Now far as new bikes like others have said trek bikes offers a 25% discount on their bikes. Show them your kids nica pit zone account. Other bike shops will other some nica discount depending on the shop. I wouldn't spend alot until she's really into it.

When my did was about to start his first year of high school we got him a cannondale trail for about $800. After getting the bike he found that his high school had a nica team. He joined the team and rode that cannondale for two years with upgrades the second year. He still has that bike as a backup to his fezzari he rides now. We told him you show us your commitment and ride that cannondale and we'll get a new bike. To this day he still loves riding. He says he will miss riding on the team this being his last year. But he thinks about being a ride leader possibly.

I've been looking on marketplace and also considered buying new w the NICA discount. I don't know how many years she'll stick with it b/c she also does other sports. I can't ride so it's just something she can do w the team or w friends. I just missed a great bike someone on our team sold. I don't know anything about fixing bikes. willing to learn but not sure how long that would take.

 

Sounds like she's a busy kid. Just keep your eyes open for a new or used bike. Fixing bikes is fun and rewarding. Especially if your at home with all the right tools and not on the trails. Check and see if your area has a bicycle collective aka community bike shop. Alot of times these types of shops have free clinics or at a very low cost clinics. Also might be worth asking the team if they work with any local shops that do a free basic bike maintenance class. Or ask the coach if they could put together a class or two of basic bike maintenance and repairs if they have anyone to teach a class. And of course youtube. Park tool makes a lot of free maintenance and repair videos. Syd fixes bikes is another good channel to watch. They are pro racers and put more of a simple twist of easier to follow repairs. Good luck.