Kids bike recommendations, for a 5 years old...
Discussion
I think you go one of two routes
1) Isla bikes - big outlay but big resale. Lightweight and easy to ride
2) Free bike/ £10 local bike. will be heavy and old but with low outlay.
There seems little point in spending £80-100 at Halfords on a mid range kids bike that will be worth £10 in 2 years time.
We went with route 2. Most of our bikes were free and the children were all riding at the age of 3 without stabilisers. Yes the bikes are heavy but my 7 year old is now superfit and will need a proper road bike soon!
1) Isla bikes - big outlay but big resale. Lightweight and easy to ride
2) Free bike/ £10 local bike. will be heavy and old but with low outlay.
There seems little point in spending £80-100 at Halfords on a mid range kids bike that will be worth £10 in 2 years time.
We went with route 2. Most of our bikes were free and the children were all riding at the age of 3 without stabilisers. Yes the bikes are heavy but my 7 year old is now superfit and will need a proper road bike soon!
I just sold my kids CNOC 14 on eBay a few weeks ago. We had it for 2 years and it was in good nick. We had 78 watchers after a few days and it eventually sold for 155!! We upgraded to a CNOC 16 and he will upgrade again to a Beinn 20 next year as he is growing so fast.
He went from a Rothan balance bike to the CNOC 14 in about 10mins. I have been so impresssed with them I have just bought my own Beinn 29 from the company.
He went from a Rothan balance bike to the CNOC 14 in about 10mins. I have been so impresssed with them I have just bought my own Beinn 29 from the company.
Kermit power said:
A high quality adult bike will lose most of its value over 3 years though. Why should a quality kids' bike lose effectively nothing?
It might make sense if Islabikes had gone bust and second hand was the only way of getting one, but that's not the case. It makes no sense for someone to pay the same amount for a 3 year old bike as they could pay for a new one.
Largely due to the fact that there are very, very few companies making children's bikes that have actively thought about the end product from the user point of view. The vast majority of suppliers are build 'em cheap, stack 'em high, make 'em robust. Islabikes (and those Frog bikes by the looks of things) have been designed in a way that makes cycling the bike all that more appealing. My 9 year old lad has already accompanied me on spins of between 40 & 50km on his Luath 24 - something that was utterly inconceivable on his last bike. On a suitable route I've no doubt he could go further too.It might make sense if Islabikes had gone bust and second hand was the only way of getting one, but that's not the case. It makes no sense for someone to pay the same amount for a 3 year old bike as they could pay for a new one.
With regard to adult bikes, there is a huge number of high quality bikes to choose from, from a massive number of manufacturers. There is also a huge amount sold each year and a massive second hand supply. Buyers market.
Edited by Ianeire on Sunday 4th August 22:50
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
Christmas is coming so thought I'd do a search on kids bikes and decided to resurrect this thread:
My boy has just turned 4 and has been using a Specialised Hotwalk since he was about 18 months old. We want to buy him his first pedal bike this year so I've done some research but yet to see any of the potential purchases.
I guess the main options are the CNOC 16 or the Frog48 bikes. There's not much difference in price but the frog has a bell and importantly mudguards included in the price. The CNOC however comes in the same green as my bike which would give it instant cool points in my boys mind.
Anybody ever been able to compare the two? We have been happy with the Hotwalk and paid extra over what we planned due to the better quality of it compared to the competition. The next model up from this in the specialized shop doesn't seem so much a step up though.
I guess there's other to consider but resale is maybe a factor hence the above choices.
My boy has just turned 4 and has been using a Specialised Hotwalk since he was about 18 months old. We want to buy him his first pedal bike this year so I've done some research but yet to see any of the potential purchases.
I guess the main options are the CNOC 16 or the Frog48 bikes. There's not much difference in price but the frog has a bell and importantly mudguards included in the price. The CNOC however comes in the same green as my bike which would give it instant cool points in my boys mind.
Anybody ever been able to compare the two? We have been happy with the Hotwalk and paid extra over what we planned due to the better quality of it compared to the competition. The next model up from this in the specialized shop doesn't seem so much a step up though.
I guess there's other to consider but resale is maybe a factor hence the above choices.
One thing I'd say about Frog bikes and the reason we bought one is you can go to a local stockist and try one. Can only try the Islabike if you live near their head office or you know someone else with one. Islabikes have strong resale, Frog bikes a little unknown but they do a trade in scheme for them.
dai1983 said:
Christmas is coming so thought I'd do a search on kids bikes and decided to resurrect this thread:
My boy has just turned 4 and has been using a Specialised Hotwalk since he was about 18 months old. We want to buy him his first pedal bike this year so I've done some research but yet to see any of the potential purchases.
I guess the main options are the CNOC 16 or the Frog48 bikes. There's not much difference in price but the frog has a bell and importantly mudguards included in the price. The CNOC however comes in the same green as my bike which would give it instant cool points in my boys mind.
Anybody ever been able to compare the two? We have been happy with the Hotwalk and paid extra over what we planned due to the better quality of it compared to the competition. The next model up from this in the specialized shop doesn't seem so much a step up though.
I guess there's other to consider but resale is maybe a factor hence the above choices.
My eldest had a Hotrock 12" at 2 years old, nice bike. When he turned 4(was riding without stabilisers at 3!)he needed a 16" bike we purchased a Giant animator as he preferred the BMX style bike, I did look at the 16" hotrock but it was rear coater brake only? When it was bike time for my 3 year old, Giant had massively downgraded the spec of the animator, no v brakes etc anymore. So we purchased him a Frog 16" in orange, it really is a lovely piece of kit I would recommend giving one a look.My boy has just turned 4 and has been using a Specialised Hotwalk since he was about 18 months old. We want to buy him his first pedal bike this year so I've done some research but yet to see any of the potential purchases.
I guess the main options are the CNOC 16 or the Frog48 bikes. There's not much difference in price but the frog has a bell and importantly mudguards included in the price. The CNOC however comes in the same green as my bike which would give it instant cool points in my boys mind.
Anybody ever been able to compare the two? We have been happy with the Hotwalk and paid extra over what we planned due to the better quality of it compared to the competition. The next model up from this in the specialized shop doesn't seem so much a step up though.
I guess there's other to consider but resale is maybe a factor hence the above choices.
If any of you on this thread live in Sussex and are interested in Frogbikes for your munchkins, my old pal Rob has them at ProPel cycles in Uckfield.
Has demo bikes for them and is an absolutely top fella. Known him for.....struth, 30 years....Merida dealer too which is where I got mine from.
Has demo bikes for them and is an absolutely top fella. Known him for.....struth, 30 years....Merida dealer too which is where I got mine from.
My daughter had a specialized hotrock from 3 and hardly ever used it. When she grew out of it I got her one of these http://www.decathlon.co.uk/20-single-one-kids-bike... I decided it was better for her to learn bike control on something simple that wouldn't matter when she dropped it. And so far it has been the perfect choice. It is very basic, but she doesn't need to master gears yet so why complicate things? It was cheap enough to mean I don't care when she scratches it and decided she wanted to cover it in stickers.
Edited by ZiggyNiva on Friday 31st October 09:47
right...need a pedal bike for my soon to be 4 year old daughter end of jan. anyone know if ridgeback are any good as my local independent sells them and theyre pink!
http://www.ridgeback.co.uk/series/girls
http://www.ridgeback.co.uk/series/girls
Islabike every time
My now 9 year old was afraid of bikes and tried for 4 years on various bikes but never got more than a few yards and loads of tears
Islabike for Christmas: 45 minutes and he's away, I couldn't keep up running along side.
Since then we've been out everyday except one (due to ice) and he's desperate to go out everyday, loves it.
£360 well spent I say
Oh and don't buy a £50 bike, they aren't really rideable
Anyone want one for £25, now stood in the shed, cobwebs free.
My now 9 year old was afraid of bikes and tried for 4 years on various bikes but never got more than a few yards and loads of tears
Islabike for Christmas: 45 minutes and he's away, I couldn't keep up running along side.
Since then we've been out everyday except one (due to ice) and he's desperate to go out everyday, loves it.
£360 well spent I say
Oh and don't buy a £50 bike, they aren't really rideable
Anyone want one for £25, now stood in the shed, cobwebs free.
Skyedriver said:
Islabike every time
My now 9 year old was afraid of bikes and tried for 4 years on various bikes but never got more than a few yards and loads of tears
Islabike for Christmas: 45 minutes and he's away, I couldn't keep up running along side.
Since then we've been out everyday except one (due to ice) and he's desperate to go out everyday, loves it.
£360 well spent I say
Oh and don't buy a £50 bike, they aren't really rideable
Anyone want one for £25, now stood in the shed, cobwebs free.
thing is u have a boy - the ridgeway is a better pink colour!My now 9 year old was afraid of bikes and tried for 4 years on various bikes but never got more than a few yards and loads of tears
Islabike for Christmas: 45 minutes and he's away, I couldn't keep up running along side.
Since then we've been out everyday except one (due to ice) and he's desperate to go out everyday, loves it.
£360 well spent I say
Oh and don't buy a £50 bike, they aren't really rideable
Anyone want one for £25, now stood in the shed, cobwebs free.
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