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Trailcraft Cycles Builds 24-Inch Wheel Mountain Bikes To Make Young Riders Fly

trailcraft launches kids mountain bikes
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Faced with the problem of trying to outfit her son with an appropriate bike, Ginger Rosenbauer didn’t care for the fact that most of the choices weighed almost half of what he did, and were woefully inappropriate for actual off road riding. Located in Fort Collins, CO, they were already able to do a lot of design, prototyping and production this year, and they are ready to go to market.

Launching by using Kickstarter, they already have the first production available for delivery before the holidays. Rosenbauer says “One of the most valuable benefits of the Pineridge 24 are the memories made together on the bike as a family. The awesome ride quality and lightweight components of the Pineridge 24 has allowed for longer more enjoyable rides, creating fun times on the trail together, and a lifetime of memories. This time and connection together is priceless.”

Trailcraft_Pineridge24_Ti

Founder Ginger Rosenbauer (married to Niner Bike’s International Sales Manager Brett Rosenbauer) started this project when they could not find a suitable bike for their 8 year old son.

From Trailcraft Cycles: Trailcraft Cycles was created to answer the need for a high performance, lightweight, 24-inch XC kids bicycle. With high end components mirroring those of mountain bikes two to three wheel sizes bigger, Trailcraft Cycles brings two options of both aluminum and titanium bicycles to the kids bike market. Nestled on the edge of the Rocky Mountains, Trailcraft Cycles was founded in Fort Collins, Colorado which is known for for its great riding and family friendly atmosphere. Trailcraft Cycles was started after modifying a 24- inch high-end mountain bike for founder Ginger Rosenbauer’s son. “Our son’s riding progression was held back by a heavy bike. His high-end bike was designed around a stock frame with long chainstays making it difficult to learn to manual over obstacles and change directions quickly. The heavy components hindered his ability to ride longer and learn key skills which he was ready for at 8-years-old,” said Trailcraft Founder Ginger Rosenbauer. “The choices available for a high performance 24- inch bike were slim to none so I set out to create bikes which would give aspiring young riders the option to ride a great bicycle from the beginning.”

Rosenbauer initially didn’t think the project would take off, as many of the ODM manufacturers of the frames were not interested in the low quantity associated with an expensive kids bike. It took them a bit of time to work through the process, until their son was starting to approach 9 years old.

They found a manufacturer that worked in high-quality small batches, making the frames from 7005 aluminum and titanium. Additionally, a custom crank was created with the correct length for kids of this size, and a gear ratio that worked with their strength and ability. Trailcraft says the majority of 24-inch bikes are all designed to hit a price point. Most “high-end” 24-inch bikes are in the $600.00+ range, and still weigh 25-30 pounds, and this was still not appropriate to ride off road.

Trailcraft-Kid-2Knowing that rotational weight is the best place to improve performance, they started with super light Schwalbe Rocket Ron tires, and then worked with NoTubes to create the Crest in a 24″ size. This created an extremely light wheel set that was a great starting point to put a proper frame design on.

Trailcraft-PurplePineridge 24 is the first complete bike being offered by Trailcraft. The complete bike comes in at 22lbs for aluminum and 19lbs for titanium.

Trailcraft-BlueOffered in blue, green and purple, the Pineridge 24 also features a 1600 gram, 60mm travel RST First air sprung suspension fork. Just like an adult fork, it has high quality alloy lowers, lockout and pre-load adjust.

Trailcraft_Pineridge24_GreenAttention was also paid to the cockpit parts, saving weight wherever possible. Rosenbauer says even carbon fiber parts were considered, but for the small size, the alloy parts were similar in weight and kept the cost in control better.

Trailcraft_Pineridge24_Green_crankMost cranks on the market for kids bikes have a single ring that is geared way too high for off road riding. Trailcraft created a proper crank with a 152mm length, 22 tooth granny ring and 32 tooth big ring, complete with a bash guard. This gives proper body fit, low enough gears for climbing, and the guard keeps the errant shoe laces out of the drivetrain.

Complete Pineridge 24s are finished off with spec highlights such as Shimano Deore M615 rear derailleur complete with Shadow Plus clutch system and M615 hydraulic brakes and Ashima light weight rotors. The Pineridge 24 aluminum framed bike sells for $1,699. Opt up to the titanium frame, and it would be $2,699 with your choice of titanium rigid fork or RST First fork.


www.trailcraftcycles.com

 

 

 

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21 Comments
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Ron
Ron
9 years ago

I wish I had a 22 pound mountain bike with Stans Crest wheels when I was 8. Very nice, my nephew would love this bike.

Antoine
Antoine
9 years ago

cries 1x

me at home
me at home
9 years ago

good point…. I have the same issues with my son’s merida dakar, but I have spent additional 100$ on rubber and fork upgrades… bikes is now under 10 kg and hm….. it costs 500$ with upgrades…. so why spent 3 or 5 times more? its not like your 8 year old will do 15 h of training a week on it…

Mark
Mark
9 years ago

Why, because that’s currently hot? When I was small kid I didn’t have a problem with shifting a triple, so I guess a double is perfectly fine.

Jdog
Jdog
9 years ago

Nice work. My daughter will meed one in a few years.

buriedundersnow
buriedundersnow
9 years ago

Hooooooo-rah! Anything to get more kids on bikes is a GOOD thing!

richb
richb
9 years ago

Also check out the Islabikes Creig 24…

Kark
Kark
9 years ago

an Opus Fever is already in stores.
http://opusbike.com/en/bikes/kids/ages-8-12-24/fever-2015
yeah, it’s ~3lbs heavier but it’s also $1000 less expensive. That 1k in cash could be used to drop a pound off the bike with enough left over (probably) to buy shoes, helmet, race fees, jersey, etc etc.

That said, the bikes in question look to be very well thought out and capable, but they seems well into the diminishing returns spectrum from my perspective (and wallet)

Butch
Butch
9 years ago

Man, that would be a huge advantage for my daughters. Both are so fit, but their bikes weigh close to what they weigh and as girls they can’t go yanking those tanks around like a boy.

I’m thinking they would both dominate locally as racers. You need some sponsored riders? ;- )

Mr. P
9 years ago

Its a great time to be a kid!

P

groghunter
groghunter
9 years ago

I like that even though it’s got an XC mindset, the angles should allow getting a bit rowdy.

Bert Sawicki
Bert Sawicki
9 years ago

I buy my kids Isla bike…their 24″ bike is pretty sick and only $1100US
http://islabikes.com/us/bike_pages/creig24.html

feldy
feldy
9 years ago

Getting Stans to roll some 24″ Crests = win.

POS RST suspension fork = fail. Just use a 26″ fork. There’s plenty of room to make up for the 1″ extra height (e.g. internal headset)

In any case, the availability of high end kids bikes is cool. Just wish there were more focus on smaller sizes.

josh
josh
9 years ago

Made in the USA but a bit pricier and a bit higher end builds:

http://lilshredder.com/bikes

brian
brian
9 years ago

I do not think lilshredder bikes are comparable. Those are way more “park” setup and the builds are NOT any higher end than this one. They are different beasts.

This looks to be a great spec, lightweight kids bike. A serious kids bike. You know this is still only like a 1/3 of the cost of many Dad’s bikes, or less. And most parents will change out their own bikes every year or two anyway.

trailshredderr
9 years ago

Really? Be honest, does an eight year old really need that nice of a bike?

Robert
Robert
9 years ago

Yes, if anything a kid needs as light of a bike as possible. Google power to weight ratio. Light bikes are more fun when you are 80 pounds or less.

Slow Joe Crow
Slow Joe Crow
9 years ago

These seem to be aimed at a spot just above the Scott Scale RC 24 which weighs around 25 lbs. and used to cost around $900.
I’d want my kid to be pretty enthusiastic before I shelled out that kind of money, but I do see the advantages of a light bike. My daughter is more willing to ride with the family now that she has outgrown her Specialized Hotrock and is riding an adult size hardtail with an air fork.

James
James
9 years ago

Yeah I have a Scott Scale Jr RC which was $1050 new plus tax. The bike became heavier with the Syncros parts and price went from $900 to $1050. I ended up swapping 165mm cranks for 150mm. I already have the RC, but had this bike been available I would have bought it. I have two more younger kids to hand down the RC. For the spec (Stans Crest) and what you get, there is not a better 24″ bike on the market if this bike is really 22 pounds as shown. If you have other kids to hand down to, it makes the price less painful but a good bike is priceless if they are really into riding.

Adam
Adam
9 years ago

Wow. Just found these bikes, so cool. Congrats for making a real nice bike for the little people of the world.

Rick
Rick
8 years ago

Just bought a pair of these Trailcraft cranks and they are sweet!

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