Discussion
Looking for 2 new bikes as Christmas presents this year. One for my 6 year old boy, who's a confident rider and one for my 4 year old girl who's just learning to pedal without stabilisers (using an old Cosmos we've got). The 7 year old currently has a Wiggins Macon, which has been through 2 of our older boys before and has been brilliant, but they don't seem to make Wiggins anymore?
We mostly ride along the National Cycle Network, on gravel type trails, nothing too heavy. Typically 14 mile ish a time, with myself, the wife, our little girl in a trailer and our 2 other boys aged 8 and 9.
Frog or Islabikes seem like the go to range, anything else I should be considering?
We mostly ride along the National Cycle Network, on gravel type trails, nothing too heavy. Typically 14 mile ish a time, with myself, the wife, our little girl in a trailer and our 2 other boys aged 8 and 9.
Frog or Islabikes seem like the go to range, anything else I should be considering?
My daughter has an Islabike cnoc 16, it's a fantastic bike for young kids. When she was 3 I got her a heavy peppa pig bike from Halfords but she found it hard to balance it (due to the weight I think) so she couldn't ride it without stabilisers. I got a her a second hand islabike to replace it and she was riding it without stabilisers within 30 minutes, they are so much lighter and easier to ride than cheap bikes for little kids. She's 5 now and will happily ride 2-3 miles along the local gravel pathways on it.
I've just bought a bike for my 6 year old. My shortlist was Frog 55, Islabikes Beinn, Cuda Trace, Forme Kinder and the Squish 20.
I bought second hand and chose the Squish 20. It was the lightest both on paper and in feel, and I was really impressed with the quality. The Frog actually felt noticeably heavier at the back wheel. The Cuda Trace frame was smaller than the others. I liked the Forme Kinder but found the colours favoured boys and there were not that many second hand available.
The Squish bikes are made by Tandem Group Cycles (Dawes)
https://www.tgc.bike/squish-m3
I bought second hand and chose the Squish 20. It was the lightest both on paper and in feel, and I was really impressed with the quality. The Frog actually felt noticeably heavier at the back wheel. The Cuda Trace frame was smaller than the others. I liked the Forme Kinder but found the colours favoured boys and there were not that many second hand available.
The Squish bikes are made by Tandem Group Cycles (Dawes)
https://www.tgc.bike/squish-m3
Edited by wilbo83 on Monday 3rd October 22:01
Thanks for the suggestions, I'll look into the other brands mentioned as well as the resale value of those. Seems Frog/Islabikes retain value, so the actual cost is less as you'll get a big chunk back when you come to move it on.
Also looked into Bike Club, £14.99 a month + £29.99 setup for a Frog 40, over 18 months that works out the same as buying the bike outright? Unless I'm missing something, this seems pointless considering the resale value of the Frog.
Also looked into Bike Club, £14.99 a month + £29.99 setup for a Frog 40, over 18 months that works out the same as buying the bike outright? Unless I'm missing something, this seems pointless considering the resale value of the Frog.
I've bought a Cnoc 16 and a beinn 20 for my 2. Great quality and very light. Had a few people comment and ask about them when out. Not compared directly with any competitors though and sure there must be similar alternatives.
Bought both 2nd hand through ebay and gumtree. Think they were just over £200 each. Seems a lot but its a big saving and I'm sure I could sell them both for what I paid.
Both were in great condition. The beinn especially was immaculate.
Bought both 2nd hand through ebay and gumtree. Think they were just over £200 each. Seems a lot but its a big saving and I'm sure I could sell them both for what I paid.
Both were in great condition. The beinn especially was immaculate.
zedx19 said:
Seems Frog/Islabikes retain value, so the actual cost is less as you'll get a big chunk back when you come to move it on.
If you are not doing any crazy DH or MTB'ing then just get a Frog/Islabike - like the iphone of the bike world, will easily sell them and get most of your money back.zedx19 said:
Also looked into Bike Club, £14.99 a month + £29.99 setup for a Frog 40, over 18 months that works out the same as buying the bike outright? Unless I'm missing something, this seems pointless considering the resale value of the Frog.
If you are doing more off-road stuff, look at Hope Academy (Pay per month option), probably the best kids bikes out there, like works of art.My daughter is very fortunate to have the ability to buy bikes for her 2 children as they appear on her local social area apps.
The kids are 5 and 7, and has 4 Frogs at the moment. Starting with the balance version,and going up to the one with derailier gears.
As a cyclist, I get to check the bikes over before use, and they really are a quality build.
As mentioned there is a ready market for these, and she will easily get her purchase price back.
I could only dream of having a quality bike at their age.
The kids are 5 and 7, and has 4 Frogs at the moment. Starting with the balance version,and going up to the one with derailier gears.
As a cyclist, I get to check the bikes over before use, and they really are a quality build.
As mentioned there is a ready market for these, and she will easily get her purchase price back.
I could only dream of having a quality bike at their age.
Insert Coin said:
Frog or Isla are the usual favourites on these threads.
Have a look at Bike Club and rent them, kids grow out of bikes so quickly.
Never heard of bike club but from a quick look that’s not a cheap option once you factor in delivery and pick up costs. You can only change once every 18 months my son had his last frog for 3 years. I would also be a bit worried about what they class as normal wear and tear. They tend to fall off a bit and don’t park them up as they should. It was a hard 3 years for his frog and we still sold it for £50. Have a look at Bike Club and rent them, kids grow out of bikes so quickly.
Not sure if some of the above posters are looking at the correct Bike Club website?
We’ve been members since 2017, the prices have increased in that time, but as far as I can see most things are as below -
Bike Club exchanges are £19.99 at any time (or free in the first two weeks if you don’t like the bike or it’s the wrong size) or you get a free swap at 18 months or you can walk away at anytime for £29.99. (After 18 months there’s no cancellation fee)
The only thing I can’t see is that it used to be part of the t&c’s that after 32 months the bike became yours to keep with no further charges.
For another £1 a month it covers repairs and insurance, less the excess in a total loss.
Yes you can buy a Frog and sell it for X amount, but at the hassle of tyre kickers, EBay fees etc.
My kids have had 4 bikes each over the last 5.5 years or so, we’ve never paid a penny in charges when swapped.
It’s no different than leasing a car in many ways, but for me it was that my kids were outgrowing their bikes at a ridiculous rate and this way they could get a new bike for just a small fee.
We’ve been members since 2017, the prices have increased in that time, but as far as I can see most things are as below -
Bike Club exchanges are £19.99 at any time (or free in the first two weeks if you don’t like the bike or it’s the wrong size) or you get a free swap at 18 months or you can walk away at anytime for £29.99. (After 18 months there’s no cancellation fee)
The only thing I can’t see is that it used to be part of the t&c’s that after 32 months the bike became yours to keep with no further charges.
For another £1 a month it covers repairs and insurance, less the excess in a total loss.
Yes you can buy a Frog and sell it for X amount, but at the hassle of tyre kickers, EBay fees etc.
My kids have had 4 bikes each over the last 5.5 years or so, we’ve never paid a penny in charges when swapped.
It’s no different than leasing a car in many ways, but for me it was that my kids were outgrowing their bikes at a ridiculous rate and this way they could get a new bike for just a small fee.
Gassing Station | Pedal Powered | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff