Bike Park Wales - Hoy Bonaly rigid bike
Discussion
We’ve just had a great weekend at BPW (sunshine for 2 days in November!), me on an Ibis Mojo SL that should perhaps have felt out of its depth but didn’t, and my son on his Hoy bonaly 26.
He did really well on blue and red trails but I couldn’t help thinking it might be more enjoyable with some suspension. I’m thinking about putting some bigger volume tyres on for next time, and have been looking at Fox F80 forks, but they’d raise the axle to crown by 2-3cm...
Anyone have experience of kids on rigid bikes at bike parks or any tips to make a long weekend of riding more comfortable for him?
He did really well on blue and red trails but I couldn’t help thinking it might be more enjoyable with some suspension. I’m thinking about putting some bigger volume tyres on for next time, and have been looking at Fox F80 forks, but they’d raise the axle to crown by 2-3cm...
Anyone have experience of kids on rigid bikes at bike parks or any tips to make a long weekend of riding more comfortable for him?
I took both my girls on HT's last winter and it scared me watching them getting bounced around.
For No1 she's moved up to my wifes Carbon Mantra with Pikes so she's sorted but No2 I built a carera Sol and its great for pointing down but too much to pedal up anywhere. (not a problem at BPW) but now she's on a 26" Kona HT with fox F100's and it makes a good difference but because she's so light she still gets bounced around.
get a decent set of forks until he can get on a FS.
For No1 she's moved up to my wifes Carbon Mantra with Pikes so she's sorted but No2 I built a carera Sol and its great for pointing down but too much to pedal up anywhere. (not a problem at BPW) but now she's on a 26" Kona HT with fox F100's and it makes a good difference but because she's so light she still gets bounced around.
get a decent set of forks until he can get on a FS.
dai1983 said:
What do you think of the Bonaly? I’m looking for something for my 8 year old and considering the 24 inch version or an Orbea MX24 Team. The 2018 Orbea I found is considerably cheaper new but there’s something about the Hoy bike.
I picked up a couple of Bonalys cheap (£50 each!) when Evans were flogging off some bikes they'd used in events. Mechanically fine, but scratched frames from being lugged around in vans in bulk. We have a 26 and 24, both are absolutely great compared with the other kids bikes we have which are a selection of ridgebacks, kona etc.so aluminium but a bit on the weighty side. I think the lightness is the key. I would say if the orbea is a similar light weight follow the money. Admittedly we have 3 boys so the philosophy of buying isla etc. and benefiting from the great resale value is somewhat diminished as they will be old and well used by the time we are done.RFP junior is 9 and on a Hoy Bonaly 26. I had some bigger volume tyres with me but we didn’t even change them, he did the weekend on Kenda smallblocks. It was dry and that helped. He had a good time on it! I was following a lot and it looked very stable. I’m impressed with it to be honest. He’s got an old carbon handlebarvon it which might have helped with damping the ride, and we ran low pressures in the tyres. He didn’t hang around!
I’ve a Fox F100 on the way which we’ll try with a lot of sag. I don’t want to disastrously affect the geometry, as he’ll be using it for other activities than just BPW. I accidentally have a pile of bits that fit (X0 shifter, SRAM cassette) which I’m going to stick on it, rather than leave in the shed.
I’ll report back on the fork.
I’ve a Fox F100 on the way which we’ll try with a lot of sag. I don’t want to disastrously affect the geometry, as he’ll be using it for other activities than just BPW. I accidentally have a pile of bits that fit (X0 shifter, SRAM cassette) which I’m going to stick on it, rather than leave in the shed.
I’ll report back on the fork.
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