Kids cycling

[mike9009]

My daughter has just started cycling without stabilisers and seems very keen on cycling which I am actively encouraging. She is four years old and currently rides a budget 16" wheeled bike.

Last weekend we went on an eight mile cycle, but she wants to go quicker on the flats and needs some better brakes than the crappy callipers she currently has. She finds them difficult to pull when going down steep hills to slow her down.

Any recommendations for a better bike, with gears and better brakes. I don't want to spend huge amounts as it will probably only fit her for a few years or so.....

TIA

Mike

[WinstonWolf]

If they're centre pull cantilevers you can adjust the mechanical advantage by shortening the centre cable and setting the levers closer to the bar if they have adjustable stops.

Eight miles is good going

[andyscole]

Got my daughter her bike from decathlon. Clearly kids in mind when designing, the brake lever very clever and makes brakes very effective.

[lemonslap]

Just purchased a Frog bike for my youngest and am very impressed with the quality. Comes with v brakes and proper kids levers, also has hybrid tyres fitted for extra speed. Compared to my other sons Giant Animator 16" they are worlds apart in both components and weight, wish I had known about them earlier.

You will struggle to find a 16" wheel bike with gears I think.

[Kawasicki]

I bought a used 16" Isla, my four year old rides at the pace of a non enthusiastic adult rider. The ergonomics are great, the brakes are phenomenal, so much so that I made sure the first couple of rides were on grass, he went straight over the bars...then asked "which one is the front brake again dad?"

[velocgee]

bought my son this: http://www.evanscycles.com/products/pinnacle/koto-...

excellent little bike. only reservation is that it's rather under-geared (it's single speed)

worth checking out.



edit: missed the 'with gears' bit....

Edited by velocgee on Sunday 23 March 21:57

[anonymous-user]

have you had a look at the British Cycling website to see if there are any kids clubs or holiday Go-Ride coaching events near you?. Its more about building confidence at that age rather than the competeive angle. Its worth speaking to a BC Coach at an event as they will be able to advise on bikes suitable for the age assuming they will probably have a far better understanding of a childs physiology compared to a bloke in a bike shop.

http://www.britishcycling.org.uk/go-ride/article/g...

Edited by anonymous-user on Monday 24th March 09:49

[Omaruk]

In one word :-

Islabikes

[snowdude2910]

andyscole said:

Got my daughter her bike from decathlon. Clearly kids in mind when designing, the brake lever very clever and makes brakes very effective.

Another good word for decathlon here my eldest has a racingboy which cost about £90 and is spot on. Although he's convinced every other gear than 3 is either too fast or too slow and can't be persuaded otherwise

[Mr Will]

Omaruk said:

In one word :-

Islabikes

This.

If you can stomach the up-front cost they work out very cheap as you'll get most of it back once she's outgrown it. My daughter had a CNOC14 as her first bike; bought new for £175, sold after two years hard use for £149. She's now on a Beinn 20 which she absolutely adores.

[mie1972]

Not sure where you are based, but I would recommend your nearby bike charity type place rather than buying new.

My friendly local bike charity place sell reconditioned bikes including loads of kids bikes for next to nothing.

Bought her a first 'proper' bike - 20 inch wheels, fully checked and serviced - for £20. OK its second hand but its pink so she loves it.

This is my local place in Newcastle, lots of similar places around the country.

http://www.recyke-y-bike.org/

All the money goes to charity and saves land-fill :-)

[272BHP]

Islabikes.

I was reminded of the difference only the other day when me and my son rode to his friends house. When we left, the other dad asked if my son would be ok riding up the steep hill. The Islabike is so light that it isn't even a consideration.

I was so impressed by all the Islabikes we have bought over the years that I bought an adult one for myself! and it is astonishingly good. My wifes much more expensive Cannondale Quick is positively agricultural in comparison.

[TedMaul]

lemonslap said:

Just purchased a Frog bike for my youngest and am very impressed with the quality. Comes with v brakes and proper kids levers, also has hybrid tyres fitted for extra speed. Compared to my other sons Giant Animator 16" they are worlds apart in both components and weight, wish I had known about them earlier.

You will struggle to find a 16" wheel bike with gears I think.

Was at the bike show at NEC in September, my son who was 8 at the time test rode all the kids bikes and said the Frog was best by miles. Daughter test rode them too in March along with various others and got her the 20" for her birthday last week. Very light and components sized for small legs and hands. She test rode the 16" and whilst too small for her was leagues ahead of the 16" Probike my sone had at that age

Edinburgh cycle coop in Sheffield were v good imo