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The shift from 8-speed to 12-speed on kids' bikes in my shop

About five years ago, almost every kids' bike we sold in Portland had a simple 7 or 8-speed drivetrain. Now, I'm seeing major brands spec 12-speed on models for 10-year-olds. The change is mostly from parents wanting the same tech as their own bikes, but it makes repairs more complex for simple city riding. Has anyone else found these high-gear setups on kids' bikes to be overkill?
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3 Comments
nancyg14
nancyg1420d ago
You're right that parents want the same tech, but I see it as a good thing. Kids learn on modern gear that works better, and 12-speed doesn't have to be harder to fix if it's set up right from the start. It's just the new normal for decent bikes.
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rowanhernandez
Just teach them basic shifting and keep the chain clean.
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price.ben
price.ben20d ago
Ever see a kid try to fix a bent 12-speed derailleur? My buddy's son had a meltdown last week. Kinda makes me see what @nancyg14 means about setup being key, but man, that's a lot of gears for a first bike.
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