Pimping a kids bike

[ishaw]

I bought a nice kids bike on here for my 6 year old and it's very nice and specced as it was built.

There are various parts I'm leaving well alone, but the rear mech is a horrible thing (imho). It's a 7 speed shimano revolution shift affair with a 7 speed block on the rear wheel. Are there any better mech options to make it a better looking/performing bike?

I've got plenty of options kicking about, just wondering what I should be considering as it's been a long time since I've dealt with blocks and nutted wheel axles.

Not wanting to go crazy, probably just the rear mech.

 

[scottproonly]

Re:

Shimano rear mechs were all cross compatible 6,7,8 and 9 speed so the world's your oyster on that front. It wasn't until 10speed that the pull ratio changed

 

[ishaw]

Cheers. Thought as much. If the wheel wasn't running a block I'd be tempted to go 8 or 9 speed but even I think it's too much bother to rebuild the wheels around cassette hubs.

 

[Kevhl]

Out of interest what bike did you get?
My 5yr old has been on a little Frog for a year or so, I've just picked up a Kona Makena to pimp up for him and am on the look out for a tiny frame for 26" wheels for my daughter, but that's getting all the spares from my Zaskar (if I ever find a suitable frame).

 

[ishaw]

Re:

I was looking at frogs etc and was going to go for one but the colour I wanted was out of stock. Ended up with this - quite a tidy little bike actually, it will certainly do the job for a few years - Diamond Back Octane with 20 inch wheels:

The Kona looks to be a similar spec as it goes, quite like it as far as I can like a kids bike.

 

[Kevhl]

Nice!
I'm going to look at different brake levers on ours although my daughter currently has a 20" wheeled hotrock which is again similar spec. and she's been fine with her setup.
I used to put some old magura's on her bikes but they were damaged in a spill a few years back!
My little one could probably benefit from slightly shorter cranks, they're 140mm on his so I might have a go at shortening some or try to find some.

 

[ishaw]

I think that is where the likes of frog and islabikes excel, the smaller sized parts for smaller sized kids. Saying that I could really do with some 165 cranks on my wifes tiny orange clockwork, but 170s will have to do for now.