Islabike part 2 or Whyte?

[looksfast]

Hello all, following on from my last post regarding an Islabike for my son http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a... as predicted he has just about grown out of it (3 months!) In addition, he is tackling ever more challenging trails.

I was hoping that he would be big enough for a small adult frame, but at 4'6" he is still too small. He is perfectly sized for the Creig 26" and according to the sizing chart, it would last for a while (I'm not sure I believe that even though I am typing it). One other option I have looked at is a Whyte 403 (and the 405 - but it is too expensive) which looks like a slightly more serious bit of kit. Plus I have a 905 and love it so am biased.

I think that the Creig is a safe bet, but the Whyte may be a better bike for the trails he wants to do (Aston Hill and singletrack stuff).

What are your thoughts on these two? I'm sure that there must be other suitably proportioned decent mountain bikes but I can't seem to find them.

Thanks!

[velocgee]

i've was in EXACTLY the same boat.

i have a 905 (2015) and so bought my son a 403 last week (1st shipment)

1st trip was to the Alps (La Clusaz). my son loves the 403. but i'm not entirely convinced, yet....i feel the bike is too heavy (same as , maybe a touch more than my 905) and that the BB is a touch wide, with the crank arms maybe benefitting from being a touch shorter. also the paint and general quality doesn't quite seem to match the 905 - maybe as it's made in Cambodia and not Taiwan.

i need more time for a more conclusive assessment. a great little bike, though.

[velocgee]

suggest he tries them both.

Isla bikes have a great resale value, however, with the Creig being more 'niche' i don't think it would command the same demand as the others (Benin, etc)