Hi, I just got a new bike for my 10-year-old. He’s a little short for his age so it was between the SE So Cal Flyer 24 inch and the Mafia Bikes Medusa 26 inch. He picked the Medusa because the bigger wheels made it look more like the bikes all of his taller friends have even though it still rides with a lower 24-inch profile.
Our neighborhood bike store was charging $50 more than everywhere online AND wanted to charge us an additional $100 to order the white color my boy wanted, which wasn’t in stock. Along with the tax, this was nearly $250 more than what Mafia Bikes charges (since they don’t charge tax and offer free shipping).
Based on some videos I saw, Mafia Bikes appear to come about 70% assembled and didn’t seem too difficult to put together. So, I decided to get it directly from them. It took me about an hour and a half to assemble. The only things I didn’t install were the chain guard and the U brake for the front wheel. These came as part of the road kit, but my son didn’t want either since none of his friends have them on their bikes.
I tested the bike out and it rides just fine. The disc brake on the back wheel works well and didn’t need any adjusting, and I rechecked every nut and screw after my ride to make sure they remained tight.
That said, I haven’t let my son ride it yet because there’s some extra hardware left over (shown in the last picture) that I’m unsure what they’re for. I think these may be for the U brake and if you want to install pegs on the rear wheel. But if anyone knows for sure what they’re for, that would be much appreciated. Also, I provided pictures of the bike after I assembled it and would like to know if anything looks awry. Thanks in advance.
by Major-Patience-2497
4 Comments
Yes mostly u-brake hardware and a derailleur hanger for a geared approach if you wish.
Honestly, take it to your local bike shop and have them do a once-over. It’s good to have a relationship with one when something inevitably breaks.
I assume he will be racing? There might also be a vendor down at your local track that is involved in the community and would probably do it for free.
On that front wheel that washer tab should go through the triangle hole in the fork dropout. It is there to keep the tire on even if the bolt comes loose. That steerer clamp bolt on the stem looks like it is sticking out pretty far as well
Never buy anything Mafia btw, garbage company