Kids bike recommendations, for a 5 years old...
Discussion
My 5 year old daughter is learning to ride on her current bike, but it only has 12" wheels, since we bought it a couple years ago and it hasnt really been used that much.
Now she is keen to learn properly, I think it's time for a new bike, and wanted to get a recommendation on what to consider.
She is quite a small 5 year old, so wouldnt be able to get anything bigger than 16" wheels, and it would need to be able to take training wheels while she learns. I dont want to buy something throw away, but also dont want to spend a fortune, just want something that isnt built like a plastic kids bike, must be able to last her to 7 or 8 when she'll be riding with her friends.
Needs to be light as well, and preferably robust enough to be handed down to her two little sisters when the time comes.
Any recommendations?
Now she is keen to learn properly, I think it's time for a new bike, and wanted to get a recommendation on what to consider.
She is quite a small 5 year old, so wouldnt be able to get anything bigger than 16" wheels, and it would need to be able to take training wheels while she learns. I dont want to buy something throw away, but also dont want to spend a fortune, just want something that isnt built like a plastic kids bike, must be able to last her to 7 or 8 when she'll be riding with her friends.
Needs to be light as well, and preferably robust enough to be handed down to her two little sisters when the time comes.
Any recommendations?
Thanks Steve, will definitely get one that fits her, but the bike shops near us are all quite small and each have limited ranges, so wanted to get a recommendation of which ones are worth a look, then go to the shop that has them.
So you recon leave the training wheels off? I'll try that initially, though her confidence on riding without them isnt very high, even on her little current bike. I did a bit of the classic running behind holding the bike with the training wheels off, and got told off a lot for going too fast, before she got off in a huff and wnated training wheels back on, guess I'll just have to persevere.
That's girls for you though
you cant do anything right, and I have three daughters, so two more to go after this, and if they think Im ever giving them driving lessons...
So you recon leave the training wheels off? I'll try that initially, though her confidence on riding without them isnt very high, even on her little current bike. I did a bit of the classic running behind holding the bike with the training wheels off, and got told off a lot for going too fast, before she got off in a huff and wnated training wheels back on, guess I'll just have to persevere.
That's girls for you though
you cant do anything right, and I have three daughters, so two more to go after this, and if they think Im ever giving them driving lessons...Really good article, thanks Steve. Pothole, my concern with getting a balance bike is she will be 6 soon, and I can see her being a little embarrised to be on a balance bike at 6. It also means as soon as she's learnt we have to buy her another bike.
I think I'm going to have to fast track her as far as is safe, get a well fitted bike and try to get her riding it properly. Maybe leave training wheels and just do a whole lot of running behind (or find a really big hill and leave her in the hands of the Bicycle God )
From what I can see the bikes are divided into dolly seat/lots of plastic types, or more serious types, but I dont even know what to budget. Looks like £100 is about right, although some are £150 odd, maybe worth it for lightness?
I think I'm going to have to fast track her as far as is safe, get a well fitted bike and try to get her riding it properly. Maybe leave training wheels and just do a whole lot of running behind (or find a really big hill and leave her in the hands of the Bicycle God
)From what I can see the bikes are divided into dolly seat/lots of plastic types, or more serious types, but I dont even know what to budget. Looks like £100 is about right, although some are £150 odd, maybe worth it for lightness?
Cool, training wheels now off the list.
That's a really nice litle bike Mr Will, but ouch, £200!! The other issue is despite them having what looks ike a good fitting guide, if I was to spend that much Id really want her to be able to sit on the bike first, and being in Kent means their fitting studio is too far away.
That's a really nice litle bike Mr Will, but ouch, £200!! The other issue is despite them having what looks ike a good fitting guide, if I was to spend that much Id really want her to be able to sit on the bike first, and being in Kent means their fitting studio is too far away.
Are you crazy? dont throw man maths into this equation, this could get seriously expensive!!
It's in my head now, so I'll now have to try and get the man maths past the missus, and that's not going to be easy.
She is of the opinion that a kids bike is a £50 purchase, I managed to reset her expectations to a more realistic £100, then the hotrcok mentioned above reset mine to £150, and now this one is £200!! Would this bike be a step up from a Saracen Bella JNR for example, those go for £160, and also have an Alu frame, but possibly a little heavier, is this Islabike the sort of Rolls Royce of 5 year olds bikes? I bet it costs a fortune to service, and only takes Super unleaded.
It's in my head now, so I'll now have to try and get the man maths past the missus, and that's not going to be easy.
She is of the opinion that a kids bike is a £50 purchase, I managed to reset her expectations to a more realistic £100, then the hotrcok mentioned above reset mine to £150, and now this one is £200!! Would this bike be a step up from a Saracen Bella JNR for example, those go for £160, and also have an Alu frame, but possibly a little heavier, is this Islabike the sort of Rolls Royce of 5 year olds bikes? I bet it costs a fortune to service, and only takes Super unleaded.
Well, looks like the Islabike will win out, although I say that tentatively as I havent discussed it with her indoors.
The potential resale value and quality makes it a good buy, and as our youngest daughter is only 1, it will be ready for her when she gets to 4/5 years old, and hopefully lasts her a good few years. That means potentially we will have many many years of use out of it, and also know all three are learning on a bike that helps them.
Thanks for the advice, as had never even heard of islabikes before.
The potential resale value and quality makes it a good buy, and as our youngest daughter is only 1, it will be ready for her when she gets to 4/5 years old, and hopefully lasts her a good few years. That means potentially we will have many many years of use out of it, and also know all three are learning on a bike that helps them.
Thanks for the advice, as had never even heard of islabikes before.
Kermit, I get what you're saying, but sometimes because of the second hand value, it makes purchasing new almost seem worth it. For example, say a £200 Islabike sells for £150 on eBay. The ones I have looked at want £20 postage, so that takes it to £170, and then you have to consider it is probably at least a couple years old, so will carry that wear and tear as well.
For something we want to use for the next 8 years, the additional £30 (£200 includes postage) I'd rather buy new, though I am currently watching one on eBay that hs a few days left to see what sort of money it reaches, if I could get it for £130 or less then I'll probably go for it.
For something we want to use for the next 8 years, the additional £30 (£200 includes postage) I'd rather buy new, though I am currently watching one on eBay that hs a few days left to see what sort of money it reaches, if I could get it for £130 or less then I'll probably go for it.
Thanks to all for the recommendations, well, I say thanks, but this little £100 dabble into a kids bike is going to end up costing me 400 pounds now
We are getting my 3 year old an Islabike cnoc 14 to replace her current lump of steel, and my soon to be 6 year old a Frog 48, as we measure them both properly and they fit each make of bikes recommended minimum size perfectly.
The sizes are quite different between the makes, which is a good thing for us as we've let the sizing lead the choice so they get a bike that fits them well, and hopefully the Frog will be practically as good as the Islabike.
As Frogs become more well known hopefully their used value will remain good, but either way the girls will be learning on some good kit.
Will probably be end of August before we buy them, but will report back on the quality differences between the makes in case that helps with anyone elses choice.
We are getting my 3 year old an Islabike cnoc 14 to replace her current lump of steel, and my soon to be 6 year old a Frog 48, as we measure them both properly and they fit each make of bikes recommended minimum size perfectly.
The sizes are quite different between the makes, which is a good thing for us as we've let the sizing lead the choice so they get a bike that fits them well, and hopefully the Frog will be practically as good as the Islabike.
As Frogs become more well known hopefully their used value will remain good, but either way the girls will be learning on some good kit.
Will probably be end of August before we buy them, but will report back on the quality differences between the makes in case that helps with anyone elses choice.
Just a quick update. Went to a local bike shop on Saturday to try a Frog 48 out for size, and they had a nice one in orange. My little girl loved it straight away, so sure enough it was bought then and there and came home with us.
Considering her experience of riding is very limited, having only done a bit of peddling around on a 12" wheeled bike with training wheels, I was expecting it to be a long process to get her confident to ride without stabilizers, so when we got home I took her to the local green to get her started.
Within 10 minutes of running along holding her, I was taking my hands away for a good 30 seconds or so, and half an hour after that I was running alongside her for long stretches!! Couple hours later and she had the hang of putting her feet down when she brakes, peddling around, and all I was doing was helping her set off. It was that quick, all I have to do now is give her a start, then off she goes and steers, peddles, and is quite happy on the bike.
Very impressed, and the bike is fantastic. Light, well balanced, smooth, with great brakes that her hands are comfortable reaching.
Ordered my 3 years olds Islabike the same day, and should be with us in 2 weeks depending on stock, so hoping for as much success with her. Have to say I'm very glad we went with good quality bikes, we looked at the other bikes for around £150 while at the bike shop, and they are a lot heavier, and I am certain she would never be able to peddle or manuevour them anywhere near as well as she can the lightweight Frog.
Thanks again for the recommendations on the choices, great little bike, but must admit that the times she does drop it I cringe, I think I'm as attached to the bike as she is
Considering her experience of riding is very limited, having only done a bit of peddling around on a 12" wheeled bike with training wheels, I was expecting it to be a long process to get her confident to ride without stabilizers, so when we got home I took her to the local green to get her started.
Within 10 minutes of running along holding her, I was taking my hands away for a good 30 seconds or so, and half an hour after that I was running alongside her for long stretches!! Couple hours later and she had the hang of putting her feet down when she brakes, peddling around, and all I was doing was helping her set off. It was that quick, all I have to do now is give her a start, then off she goes and steers, peddles, and is quite happy on the bike.
Very impressed, and the bike is fantastic. Light, well balanced, smooth, with great brakes that her hands are comfortable reaching.
Ordered my 3 years olds Islabike the same day, and should be with us in 2 weeks depending on stock, so hoping for as much success with her. Have to say I'm very glad we went with good quality bikes, we looked at the other bikes for around £150 while at the bike shop, and they are a lot heavier, and I am certain she would never be able to peddle or manuevour them anywhere near as well as she can the lightweight Frog.
Thanks again for the recommendations on the choices, great little bike, but must admit that the times she does drop it I cringe, I think I'm as attached to the bike as she is
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