Wang will say waste of money get one from the dump. Others will say one or the other and refuse to countenance their experience not being an objective assessment of the entire market.
Entirely down to where you come out on price/quality. Pick up an Islabike (or a Frog) and you’ll instantly see where the extra money goes. But if buying one means the child wouldn’t get something else they would enjoy more, then get a cheaper option. Plenty of second hand Islabikes around (though not much of a discount on new, admittedly).
There's also Black Mountain Bikes. They have two models that are convertible from balance to pedal, and the frame has growth meaning it can expand with the kids. Plus a belt rather than chain, so easier maintenance and lighter.
I've been eyeing one up for some time but the wife keeps shouting at me...
Heavy bikes make for joyless cycling - all the more so for little people as the bike will be a much greater % of their body weight. If they need something to ride round the garden, then this may not matter. If you have any ambitions for them (and by extension you) to enjoy the experience, light weight is really important.
Light weight also important given you will inevitably end up carrying it back from the park, nursery etc on a regular basis (often with them in the other arm)...
Get a second hand Isla or Frog. We've bought both, and they're much the same. They depreciate about 15-20% from new, whereas the cheapo Halfords one I bought depreciated 90%. Search for Isla here - there are lots of threads.
My kid's first Halfords monster with 12" wheels weighed 10.1kg, he weighed about the same. I would struggle with an 82kg bike. The cheap ones are fine on supersmooth concrete floors in the shop - but throw them onto bumpy tarmac with a 5% incline and the kid will roll backwards.
We've gone Frog. We had a ridgeback between frogs and it was noticeably heavier and he was less comfortable on it. They also keep their value, esp if you buy secondhand.
They are also nicer to work with, nice components and well-finished.
The minicam is utterly nonchalant and fluid on the thing. No hazard perception, obv.
I'm going to have to commit bicyclage to keep up...
We have just gone through this. Secondhand very difficult to come by and was loathe to spend £250+ on a new Frog when he might not want to use it that much/grow out of it in a few months. Plus new ones seemed to have waiting lists and we wanted in time for a birthday.
We’ve joined the bike club and have got a high end bike for £10 pm. You can exchange it in for the next size up when ready, cancel if you don’t use it and you own the bike outright after a while (basically like PCP with no balloon payment at the end).
0
0
Wang will say waste of money get one from the dump. Others will say one or the other and refuse to countenance their experience not being an objective assessment of the entire market.
0
0
Puky
0
0
What bananaman said. We have islabikes as I was suckered by the bumpf about the geometry being more comfortable for toddler/ child body proportions.
0
0
I concur with my learned friend Wang. Get one second hand on Facebook marketplace.
0
0
Entirely down to where you come out on price/quality. Pick up an Islabike (or a Frog) and you’ll instantly see where the extra money goes. But if buying one means the child wouldn’t get something else they would enjoy more, then get a cheaper option. Plenty of second hand Islabikes around (though not much of a discount on new, admittedly).
0
0
Main concern is that child is weakling, cheap bikes seem very heavy
0
0
There's also Black Mountain Bikes. They have two models that are convertible from balance to pedal, and the frame has growth meaning it can expand with the kids. Plus a belt rather than chain, so easier maintenance and lighter.
I've been eyeing one up for some time but the wife keeps shouting at me...
0
0
Heavy bikes make for joyless cycling - all the more so for little people as the bike will be a much greater % of their body weight. If they need something to ride round the garden, then this may not matter. If you have any ambitions for them (and by extension you) to enjoy the experience, light weight is really important.
0
0
Light weight also important given you will inevitably end up carrying it back from the park, nursery etc on a regular basis (often with them in the other arm)...
0
0
Get a second hand Isla or Frog. We've bought both, and they're much the same. They depreciate about 15-20% from new, whereas the cheapo Halfords one I bought depreciated 90%. Search for Isla here - there are lots of threads.
0
0
My bike is 11kg, I weigh 82kg.
My kid's first Halfords monster with 12" wheels weighed 10.1kg, he weighed about the same. I would struggle with an 82kg bike. The cheap ones are fine on supersmooth concrete floors in the shop - but throw them onto bumpy tarmac with a 5% incline and the kid will roll backwards.
0
0
Secondhand frog for sure. They trade very consistently at £100 off RRP. If you buy below that, you'll likely break even on the flip. No brainer.
0
0
We got our Carrera cosmos bikes - they are light - and they love them - probably will do 4 years from 5 to 8
0
0
We've gone Frog. We had a ridgeback between frogs and it was noticeably heavier and he was less comfortable on it. They also keep their value, esp if you buy secondhand.
They are also nicer to work with, nice components and well-finished.
The minicam is utterly nonchalant and fluid on the thing. No hazard perception, obv.
I'm going to have to commit bicyclage to keep up...
0
0
Specialized now do a carbon bike for kids. Get that one
0
0
frog
0
0
We have just gone through this. Secondhand very difficult to come by and was loathe to spend £250+ on a new Frog when he might not want to use it that much/grow out of it in a few months. Plus new ones seemed to have waiting lists and we wanted in time for a birthday.
We’ve joined the bike club and have got a high end bike for £10 pm. You can exchange it in for the next size up when ready, cancel if you don’t use it and you own the bike outright after a while (basically like PCP with no balloon payment at the end).
https://thebikeclub.co.uk/collections/first-pedal
0
0
Islabike for my two kids. I think we’ve had five Islabikes between them over 12 years.
One brought new, the others used. Four have been sold on and the last one is in daily use.
Very robust and easy to maintain.
Join the discussion