Kid's bike for a five year old
Discussion
My son is 5 and a bit. He's never been interested at all in cycling and rightly or wrongly we haven't pushed it with him. But he's starting to show an interest now so we might be ready to buy him something.
He had a balance bike when he was three but I don't think he really rode it enough to get the hang of it at all so I suspect we'll go down the the bike with stabalisers route this time. That's how he says he wants to learn.
When we bought my daughter a bike like this a few years ago, it was a generic one from Halfords or Smyths or somewhere and although it was fine it was really heavy and I feel like we could maybe be more savvy this time around. That bike is unfortunately also far too pink for my son to go near.
Do any PHer's have any recommendations? No particular hard budget but since he'll probably outgrow within 2 years, let's not go too mad. I realise bike shops are maybe still open but would prefer to be able to order online.
He had a balance bike when he was three but I don't think he really rode it enough to get the hang of it at all so I suspect we'll go down the the bike with stabalisers route this time. That's how he says he wants to learn.
When we bought my daughter a bike like this a few years ago, it was a generic one from Halfords or Smyths or somewhere and although it was fine it was really heavy and I feel like we could maybe be more savvy this time around. That bike is unfortunately also far too pink for my son to go near.
Do any PHer's have any recommendations? No particular hard budget but since he'll probably outgrow within 2 years, let's not go too mad. I realise bike shops are maybe still open but would prefer to be able to order online.
We went down the balance bike route with ours. Left the pedals off for the first few goes and then straight on and cycling. Even my daughter who is the least physical girl you could meet.
There are a few child specific brands these days. We've had Islabikes for ours which hold their value incredibly well so work out cheap in the long run.
There are a few child specific brands these days. We've had Islabikes for ours which hold their value incredibly well so work out cheap in the long run.
Bill said:
We went down the balance bike route with ours. Left the pedals off for the first few goes and then straight on and cycling. Even my daughter who is the least physical girl you could meet.
There are a few child specific brands these days. We've had Islabikes for ours which hold their value incredibly well so work out cheap in the long run.
That was our preferred route but we can't get him interested in balance bikes. Daughter was the same. She ended up with a bike with stabilisers but was riding without them very quickly. Sort of hoping for the same result this time around but my son takes far more persuasion to do anything. There are a few child specific brands these days. We've had Islabikes for ours which hold their value incredibly well so work out cheap in the long run.
Islabikes do look good though, thank yo.
We got this bike for our daughter for her 5th birthday and would recommend it. Officially it states 6-9 as the age range, but even at 5 1/2 the seat is far from the lowest setting. Under normal circumstances I would say to pop down to your local Halfords and let him sit on one to try it for size.
https://www.halfords.com/bikes/kids-bikes/wiggins-...
It's quite a light bike and the gears really help her with the hills etc.
https://www.halfords.com/bikes/kids-bikes/wiggins-...
It's quite a light bike and the gears really help her with the hills etc.
Ideally you need to measure them and work out their inseam then go from there.
They should be able to fit on a 20” wheeled bike at 5 1/2yrs.
This is a good guide to what is currently on the market, safe bets for re-sale are Isla or Frog but any on this list look good.
http://www.cyclesprog.co.uk/bikes/junior-hybrid-bi...
We started my son on a BB and then moved to a Frog 43 when he was just over 3, he’s been riding that the last two years and I just bought him a Giant ARX 20 in blue.
http://www.cyclesprog.co.uk/reviews/giant-arx-20-k...
He loves it and the spec seems good, in my opinion trigger shifters are a better bet for small hands than twist shift which can be a bit hard to use for little ones. Probably going to swap out the tyres for some lighter folding ones to shave a bit of weight but other than that it’s spot on. We got out last week on it and he did just under 7 miles, not bad for 5 and a bit yrs old.
They should be able to fit on a 20” wheeled bike at 5 1/2yrs.
This is a good guide to what is currently on the market, safe bets for re-sale are Isla or Frog but any on this list look good.
http://www.cyclesprog.co.uk/bikes/junior-hybrid-bi...
We started my son on a BB and then moved to a Frog 43 when he was just over 3, he’s been riding that the last two years and I just bought him a Giant ARX 20 in blue.
http://www.cyclesprog.co.uk/reviews/giant-arx-20-k...
He loves it and the spec seems good, in my opinion trigger shifters are a better bet for small hands than twist shift which can be a bit hard to use for little ones. Probably going to swap out the tyres for some lighter folding ones to shave a bit of weight but other than that it’s spot on. We got out last week on it and he did just under 7 miles, not bad for 5 and a bit yrs old.
I bought a Hoy Bonaly last night for my 5.5 year old.. I went with the 16” wheel option with her being 112cm and recommendation for 120cm for a 20”. I’d think I’m not too late to change though if 20 seems the better option.
The lightest of anything I could find at under 6kg!
https://www.evanscycles.com/hoy-bonaly-16-inch-whe...
The lightest of anything I could find at under 6kg!
https://www.evanscycles.com/hoy-bonaly-16-inch-whe...
My daughter is a small 6 year old, last year just after her 6th we bougth her a Ridgeback Dimension 16 on advice from a cycle coach. It looks small but has plenty in the seat post and will do the younger one soon as well. She's a bit low on confidence so the smaller frame suits her well as a first go. Main thing is it's light. Before that we had a second hand bicycle shaped object that weighed a ton and you needed monkey hands to pull the brakes, didn't get anywhere with it.
Whatever you get make sure it's as light as possible and a proper bicycle from a proper retailer.
Whatever you get make sure it's as light as possible and a proper bicycle from a proper retailer.
Best e.g. lightest are EarlyRider bikes - epic bikes.
However having twins we've always bought 2nd hand at that age because they grow out of the bikes too fast, e.g. generally only last 6months before they need new ones so probably start with 14" to 16", and onto 20". We then sell them the bikes 2nd hand and don't lose any money. Have always bought either Ridgeback, Specialized, or Cube bikes which have all been brilliant.
However having twins we've always bought 2nd hand at that age because they grow out of the bikes too fast, e.g. generally only last 6months before they need new ones so probably start with 14" to 16", and onto 20". We then sell them the bikes 2nd hand and don't lose any money. Have always bought either Ridgeback, Specialized, or Cube bikes which have all been brilliant.
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