Kids Bikes Help...

[Heebee_GB]

My eldest wants one off Sandy Claus. Shes just turning seven so i could do with this one to last a few years so will pay for some quality. Shes quite the little fashionista so can recognise cool and doesn't go for the usual Disney stuff etc. Whats the best type of cruising type bike. I'm stuck on Halfords and Evans and there isn't much choice.

Ta la's.

 

[bananacustard]

Islabikes all the way. A little expensive but you get what you pay for and most of Halfords bikes are not worth bothering with. They have a good resale value as well when they're outgrown. http://www.islabikes.co.uk/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

 

[Clem]

Ive been through this a bit, as I couldn't buy a Halfords bike :lol:

To be honest they need a new one every couple of years as they grow unless they have one too big in the first place, in that case it could be dangerous and/or put them off riding.

I bought a Specialised 22" wheel bike first off, she's currently on a 24" wheel Saracen that has twist grip and siuspension which has been a good bike and spring will see her need a 26" wheel model, I guess. Im not sure what style she'll get next though.

Getting better bikes is initially more expensive but reselling them if they are looked after means its not too bad.

The Islabikes that bananacustard linked to ^^ are fab!

 

[Pickles]

Another recommendation for Islabikes. Although they are expensive and probably only for the serious cycling family. My boy is on his Islabikes Balance bike and he will get the next one up (smallest with pedals) soon. That said I am lucky that my serious cycling friends have children a couple of years older so we pick up theirs as they grow out of them

They do hold their resale values ... a quick look on ebay wil confirm that.

Alternatives I dont know much about, but am sure you should find something about childrens bikes on http://www.bikeradar.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

 

[clyde]

Also went through this. Got her a decent Decathlon bike pretty cheap for the 22", she loved this bike which got her into it.
Went for a second hand 24" as i knew she wouldnt be on it long. Now shes on a full size wheel with a smaller frame which took her a little while to get used to (im not talking days just felt abit alien to her) as they tip in quicker and with the bigger wheel/smaller frame they tend to look like they are in it rather than on it.
Im hoping this bike will last for a while now (its a Raleigh but its what she wanted) and then when she next needs a new bike it will be a better time to buy something decent.

 

[Heebee_GB]

Cheers all. That has certainly opened up the options.

 

[Hadders]

Think it's all been said before, but my 2p for what's its worth

With few exceptions (Isla bikes being one maybe?) nearly all the frames are made in China - no bad thing, from what I know, lots of good frame builders went over in the 90s and taught them well. Taiwan not so good and qaulity shoddy.

Be careful on accessories - suspension will be heavy, bouncy and unpredictable (bit like a van :lol and disc brakes will be largely crap. I think you're better off with a decent frame, no suspension and basic but dependable stuff. If it matters to you, concentrate on frame and wheels, most of the theF stuff just performs these days, it just gets lighter, lasts a bit longer and probably looks better for the extra dosh.

Giant isn't bad value if you want non Halfords and affordable. Money seems to have been spent on the right things.

Bottom line is, as Clem says, they outgrow them every couple of years regardless of what you spend.

 

[norm]

as above has been said
would definatly give specialized a look
got my boy one last year alloy frame ,decent wheels and tyres weighs nothing compaired to his older sisters halfords pos
still looks good dispite his attemps at jumping
norm

 

[Mr Brightside]

Taiwan not so good and quality shoddy.

Sorry mate its entirely the opposite, all of the good stuff is made in Taiwan, most of the large manufacturers have much of their high end models made in Taiwan. China is next on the list but many of kids bikes are now coming in from Vietnam, Cambodia etc due to the high labour costs from Taiwan & even China now.

Total vote for Islabikes, correct angles, brake levers etc designed for small hands. Check out the used Islabikes price on EBay, you can buy a bike, use it for a couple of years & get 60% of its value back, but supply is always tight around Christmas.**

Giant isn't bad value if you want non Halfords and affordable. Money seems to have been spent on the right things.

Bottom line is, as Clem says, they outgrow them every couple of years regardless of what you spend.

true but see above.


**Obviously opinion only, but based on 15+ years of working with Asian bike factories

 

[Hadders]

^^ my mistake! I knew that as well but got it the wrong way round.

The point I was trying to make (albeit not very well) is that lots of frames come from the same place, despite the stickers on it - and that bling at the price point that most kids bikes sit at is not worth the effort.

I'll stick to riding it instead, I'm still ok that

 

[ed.]

My two little monsters have both got Islabikes, the best quality kids bikes by far. I have had kids Scott and Specialized in the past, and Islabikes are better designed for kids in my opinion. Expensive but good resale value.

 

[Pickles]

and if you plan to sell an isla bike do it at the end of November, I've been watching and the prices seem very bouyant ... must be the Christmas affect

 

[bananacustard]

Picked up a lovely Islabike Beinn 24 of ebay for my daughter for christmas.

Back from Christmas bike ride,

 

[Clem]

Cool!

 

[Mr Brightside]

Picked up a lovely Islabike Beinn 24 of ebay for my daughter for christmas.

Back from Christmas bike ride,

Very nice, but rotate those bars forward so she can operate the brakes comfortably




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[bananacustard]

Very nice, but rotate those bars forward so she can operate the brakes comfortably

Well spotted, first thing we did when we got home. ( bars came loose during ride ).

 

[dubscum]

I love Bicycles (think I have 9 at the minute ) So was very keen to get my lad on 2 wheels. Started when he was 18 months on a Toy's are Us cheap nasty thing, that he soon got the hang of

then for his 2nd birthday I got him a KTM balance bike

then when he was 3 and a half. I bought a Raleigh bumper off Ebay for £5 and rebuilt it. He went straight onto this without stabilisers. can't recommend balance bikes for little learners. Also as they grow so fast I always buy bikes second hand its a lot cheaper and there hardly used sometimes

 

[dubscum]

we regularly do 3 miles a few times a weeks

if I'm back in time or have a day of I pick him up from school, which is over 2 miles away

no 4 he really wanted this (was amazing) 14" wheel bike. there really rare for a good 14" wheel BMX. It was £350 and I nearly bought it. After a while I found one on ebay for £25

right i'm off for a bike ride

 

[bananacustard]

Start them early, keep them hooked for life. (much better than old buses).

 

[dubscum]

He loves them too lol