Giant TCX Espoir 26 weight?

[Taffy4060]

I'm looking at buying my son (9 nearly 10) a new bike for Christmas and have tentatively narrowed it down to either a Giant TCX Espoir 26 or the BYK E-620 CXR. I was hoping that someone here may have experience with one or both bikes. Our cycling is mainly cycle paths with some off roading and light mountain biking. I currently have a specialized diverge which I have found adequate for the occasional mountain biking that we do, and realistically the majority of the riding we do is cycle paths so I figure these bikes are a good compromise.

Ideally I'd like him to try them out before making a decision, just to make sure that he'll be comfortable making the transition to a
drop bar bike. However I am unable to go view either of these bikes at my LBS.

My local BYK stockist won't order one in unless I commit to buying it. Which I sort of understand, but doesn't really help me. Whilst the TCX isn't currently available in Australia I can source one from overseas for about the same price as the BYK.

Initially my preference was for the BYK as we have owned several of these and been happy with them, his current ride is the BYK E-450 MTR. However he has expressed a desire for disc brakes, and the extra set of brake levers on the TCX may help with the transition.

If anyone owns a TCX 26, how much do they weigh? I know Giant makes a huge fuss about not quoting weights, but this model only comes in one size and with a younger rider the bike weight is more important than for an adult.

Anyway any thoughts, or advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

[uart]

I know Giant makes a huge fuss about not quoting weights ...

Yeah it's annoying isn't it. Sure they might argue that people sometimes place too much importance on weight, but no one can deny that it *is* an important factor for most people. Shame on those companies that use that stupid "we can't tell you the weight, it's a state secret" line. Absolutely no reason why they couldn't give the weight of a given size (eg M) under stock conditions (eg "no pedals" or whatever).

TBH I think that there should be some kind of consumer protection law to ban them from using any statements relating to weight (eg terms like "lightweight") in their adverts.if they won't state the actual weight. There are actually some consumer laws that are along those lines, not sure why they don't apply here (perhaps it's a website versus TV ad difference).

Anyway, to answer the question, the review on their international site here, https://www.giant-bicycles.com/int/tcx-espoir-26-2020, says:

However, it is very heavy (28 pounds) when considering that a light 60-100 pound kid is going to be riding it

And 28 pounds is approx 12.7 kg

[baabaa]

....but this model only comes in one size and with a younger rider the bike weight is more important than for an adult.

You would think so but, nope.
Even on a light bike, kids at that age do not do (riding up) hills well, so even on a lightish bike they will still hop off and push up hills.
In sydney and at the spring cycle you can do a 50 km family type ride and the type of bikes you see kids at 10 years old riding does not relate to level of fun and enjoyment they have.
Suggest look at what his mates at school are using and get what fits and maybe will for a few years as they grow very fast after 10. Let him wreck it, leave it out in the rain but allow him the freedom to enjoy biking.
Also if you are doing rides with him just choose on and off tar routes which are flat, the weight and even the number of gears means very little once they are moving. Strongly suggest unless you have more kids younger again to hand it on just go simple and robust - no one really needs a fancy bike to have fun.

[Mr Purple]

I'm researching kids bikes at the moment, and Giant have the same statement on their website regarding weight -

The most accurate way to determine any bike’s weight is to have your local dealer weigh it for you. Many brands strive to list the lowest possible weight, but in reality weight can vary based on size, finish, hardware and accessories. All our bikes are designed for best-in-class weight and ride quality.

The kids bikes I am looking at have literally one model, one size, and all the same hardware and accessories. There should be one weight listed. It will only vary based on the amount of air in the tyres.

As such they have been crossed off my list.

[Taffy4060]

I know Giant makes a huge fuss about not quoting weights ...

Anyway, to answer the question, the review on their international site here, https://www.giant-bicycles.com/int/tcx-espoir-26-2020, says:

However, it is very heavy (28 pounds) when considering that a light 60-100 pound kid is going to be riding it

And 28 pounds is approx 12.7 kg

Thanks uart, that is a great help. I spent many hours googling without success!

I'm now leaning further towards the BYK which is only 10.8kg (thankfully they state the weight of their bikes online), I don't see disc brakes being worth a 2kg weight penalty on a kids bike. I managed perfectly well for 40 years without them, although I do enjoy them now with kids who don't always give you any warning before suddenly stopping!

Maybe I'm odd but I take a hand held luggage scale with me bike shopping these days, 30 seconds and I have an answer with no waffling

[Taffy4060]

....but this model only comes in one size and with a younger rider the bike weight is more important than for an adult.

You would think so but, nope.
Even on a light bike, kids at that age do not do (riding up) hills well, so even on a lightish bike they will still hop off and push up hills.

I'd disagree with you there baabaa. Depends on the child, I'm only a little out of shape, but he passed me several times on the hills with his 22" bike on the weekend. He's pretty fit and enjoys going fast on the flat and up hills.

I do wonder whether he'd be better off with a lightweight flat bar rather than a drop bar bike, but he want's one like his dad. There's a lot of rolling hills and not much flat where we live so a couple kg's will make a difference to his enjoyment. The bikes get passed down to his sister and then extended family so I'm happy to pay a bit extra for better quality as well get the use out of them.

But thanks for your input everyone's situation is different.

[baabaa]

Well I would go the flat bar if it is to be passed on – especially to girls - you can fit drop bars to a flat bar bike and return back to a flat bar later.
(Would be happy to help with handlebar, brake lever and shifter tech tips if you go this way)
You will find a much better range of bikes if you look at flat and mountain bikes in that 26 inch range. Giant do good alloy framed bikes for that age group which just work

Agree depends on the kid - we live at the top of a hill and no matter where you go, it ends up with a ride home up a steep hills.
Guess my call on bikes for that age was as a cub and scout leader- tried to get our group of kids out on bikes as much as possible. The hall is close to home so the same thing, a ride to the beach, harbour or our common ride to and in and around Manly Dam all ended up with a ride up hills.
Some kids would be happy to ride down and back, but for others we would get the parent to pick them up at Manly Dam as the group would spread out. The type and price of the bike they rode was irrelevant to who rode home.
You also answered your own question - it is the gearing for kids bikes and not the weight why he zoomed up the hills better than you. My girls all rode heavy bikes at 10 years old and are still riding bikes at 19 and 24 ( note - the only time I look at the weight of any of my bikes for triathlons, 100 k mountain bike races, multi week tours, or 60 ks a day commuting is when they go into luggage for an international flight, it just does not matter to me as I go for comfort and will pay more for well made frames and simple parts which offer a long operating life)

[baabaa]

Oh and edit when I say levers I mean add in cross top levers - if you do go the drop bar option, these would be highly recommended as a 10 to 12 year old will have small hands and may find the normal brifter type lever ( even if the small size models are speced) hard to use. Flat bar/ mtn brake levers are very easy for them to use safely