Best kids bikes - SOLVED pg 2

[trickylad]

Best kids bikes?

Want to get a 14" wheel bike for my 4 yr old eldest?

Everyone recommends this one:

http://ukbikesdepot.com/products.php?plid=m14b3s14p5005

Aluminium rather than steel so lighter.

Budget is £100 tops.

Love to hear any suggestions

TL

 

[The Ken]

Big question, do you need stabilizers? Sometimes bikes made for stabilizers have a higher bottom bracket which means when you take them off the bike is harder to ride than it needs to be, knees too high but still not able to reach the ground with the feet, a bit wobbly as a result. Just something to look for.

If you do need stabilizers, I would recommend a walky bike instead.

Ridgebacks are good value for money though and a reasonably light weight. Islabikes are worth considering but might break the budget.

 

[trickylad]

Hey. Thanks for the thoughts.

Do need stabilizers.

I'd never heard of islabikes before tonight and they look brilliant. I might have to stretch the budget.

I want her to get into pedals so a walky bike might not be the right choice.

Hmmm. None of them have hope/middleburn or xtr either...
:cry:

 

[The Ken]

A walky bike is the best option, they are as fast as a pedal bike at that size and it gives them brilliant balance skills. My son went straight to pedaling on 2 wheels ( no stabilizers) from his walky bike at the age of 4 and a half, over a year before our other 2 who had stabilizers.

They are likely to have more tumbles with stabilizers too as they hit uneven ground

 

[trickylad]

A walky bike is the best option, they are as fast as a pedal bike at that size and it gives them brilliant balance skills. My son went straight to pedaling on 2 wheels ( no stabilizers) from his walky bike at the age of 4 and a half, over a year before our other 2 who had stabilizers.

They are likely to have more tumbles with stabilizers too as they hit uneven ground

Hmmmm more food for thought. Who makes the best walky bikes?

Islabikes again?

 

[IDB1]

Check 'the bay' as well matey..

http://shop.ebay.co.uk/?_from=R40&_trks ... Categories

Wish I'd known about balance bikes before my lad hopped on one with stabilisers...

Last time out (we're down to one stabiliser now), the was a dip in the pavement and he rolled off out of control towards the road.. now he's scared to go on the thing. :roll:

 

[Iwasgoodonce]

We went from two stabalisers to none. The key is to hold the rider and not the bike the first few times as that way the kiddy gets to feel their own balance point and not just sit on a bike that doesn't move with them.
The biggest difference with the boy half of the twins (who wanted to ride) was when we changed bikes. He was frankly awful at balance, (go on, say it; like me then), then I looked at his position. He was sat too far behind the BB on a mini chopper style bike. I went out and got him a Islabike Benin 20 (small) and the difference was amazing. He rode it and could steer and stop/start straight away.

I may well be selling the Islabike soon as they now have Specialized bikes which are only very slightly too large.

 

[Dr S]

We tried for ages with stabilisers with our eldest daughter. The problem with stabilisers is that the front wheel cannot do its job. We dont actually steer bikes but use the front wheel to stop us falling over when we lean a bike into a turn. Using them stops a child from developing the basic method of balance.
We eventually bought a balance bike which she loved. She would run on the bike and then coast for large distances without a problem. we then took the stabilisers off the old bike after a few weeks and took her to the park. I helped her get going and when up to speed let go. Bingo! Straight away she could ride and only fell off when she looked around after 400 yards to see where i was.
we still need to work on setting off- she still thinks we have to put both feet on the pedals to start but she's getting there and gaining in confindence all the time.

Our 3 year old is now using the balance bike and is making much faster progress having not riden a bike with stabilisers.

 

[Crantinope]

Mine (Archie) has had a balance bike since 20 months, and I put him on a pedal bike on Saturday for the 1st time, and off he went , no stabilisers, nothing, he even rode down the kerb. If you do get a balance bike, do check this out too

http://www.earlyrider.com/ he had the LITE 2-4yrs (although I have just bought him a CNOC16)

p.s - ISLABIKES don't recommend using stabilisers (even though the sell them :roll: )

 

[Tad]

Islabikes hold their value so well you get the additional expense back with extra when you sell them on comparedwith other stuff.

They fly out when they're advertised on the CTC forum.