Bike from Santa for a 9 year old
Discussion
Following on from a busy little thread in the Lounge, I'm looking for a Christmas bike for a for a timid lad, aged 9, tall for age.
He's got a bike at the moment (raleigh) but he claims it's too heavy to steer and pedal. He really struggles with it, cannot get out of bottom gear, wobbles and is basically frightened of it. Partly because he came very close to killing a neighbours cat when he wobbled off course I think. He gets distracted, veers off course, and keeps asking for me to follow at his side and aid him. Constantly on the brakes. Lessons generally end in tears either with me or we have used an outside sports teacher.
Anyway long lead in, I'm looking for a nice light bike he will get on and ride and love in time. Gears must be positive operation and easy to use.
Only stipulation from him is it must be blue....
One reommendation was a Ridgeback MX24 but it's not in blue!
Thanks
He's got a bike at the moment (raleigh) but he claims it's too heavy to steer and pedal. He really struggles with it, cannot get out of bottom gear, wobbles and is basically frightened of it. Partly because he came very close to killing a neighbours cat when he wobbled off course I think. He gets distracted, veers off course, and keeps asking for me to follow at his side and aid him. Constantly on the brakes. Lessons generally end in tears either with me or we have used an outside sports teacher.
Anyway long lead in, I'm looking for a nice light bike he will get on and ride and love in time. Gears must be positive operation and easy to use.
Only stipulation from him is it must be blue....
One reommendation was a Ridgeback MX24 but it's not in blue!
Thanks
Giant XTC 24" Jr? One of the lads at our club rides one. It looks pretty nice.
http://www.winstanleysbikes.co.uk/product/74364/Gi...
...but the Islabike Beinn is lighter
http://www.islabikes.co.uk/products/bikes/item/bei...
http://www.winstanleysbikes.co.uk/product/74364/Gi...
...but the Islabike Beinn is lighter
http://www.islabikes.co.uk/products/bikes/item/bei...
Edited by Bobley on Tuesday 2nd December 23:40
Totally the Islabike
I sold one on ebay last month for 20 quid less than I paid for it 6 years ago including ebay fees !!!!
It had been well used by both kids and the buyer commended me on it looking like new - again multiple !!!!!
The last time it was ridden was a 50km ride by a 10y old - I doubt he'd have done that on a Raleigh
Cheers - no connection to Islabikes other than a serial customer
We are down two Islabikes so can wholeheartedly recommend.
Two points - you don't lose money on them and most importantly they are very very light.
The weight is incredibly important for helping the kids get confident AND keeping going further than you would imagine!
However, we are picking up a 24in Frogbike today...
This one: https://www.frogbikes.com/lightweight-kids-bikes/h...
The "62" in the name refers to inner leg measurement apparently!
They are ever so slightly heavier (9kgs vs. 8kgs for the Islabike).
The only reason we swapped brand was because the LBS had a Frog in the flesh that WalmJnr#1 could actually sit on the check the size.
That and it was £100 cheaper than the Isla. (However, you obviously get most of that back when you sell on...)
Two points - you don't lose money on them and most importantly they are very very light.
The weight is incredibly important for helping the kids get confident AND keeping going further than you would imagine!
However, we are picking up a 24in Frogbike today...
This one: https://www.frogbikes.com/lightweight-kids-bikes/h...
The "62" in the name refers to inner leg measurement apparently!
They are ever so slightly heavier (9kgs vs. 8kgs for the Islabike).
The only reason we swapped brand was because the LBS had a Frog in the flesh that WalmJnr#1 could actually sit on the check the size.
That and it was £100 cheaper than the Isla. (However, you obviously get most of that back when you sell on...)
I think a lot depends on how much you reckon your son will use it.
My daughter's on her second Islabike and has just about outgrown it. The first I sold on way too cheap but I only realised that afterwards, but even so, I still got about 70% back when I sold.
However, I'm not sure I can justify the upfront this time around as she's not really used her current one.
My daughter's on her second Islabike and has just about outgrown it. The first I sold on way too cheap but I only realised that afterwards, but even so, I still got about 70% back when I sold.
However, I'm not sure I can justify the upfront this time around as she's not really used her current one.
Also, see if your local cycle club does anything for kids? Ours (Eastbourne Rovers) runs weekly Pedal Power sessions for 6-14yo each Friday evening Spring to Autumn. The emphasis is on fun, skills and confidence building. Kids turn up on either road bikes or mtbs. Usually 20-30 each week.
3 weeks out of 4 is at a local authority running track / outside grass slope, 4th week is at a hilly go cart track
3 weeks out of 4 is at a local authority running track / outside grass slope, 4th week is at a hilly go cart track
Edited by richardxjr on Wednesday 3rd December 12:59
Thanks everyone for your contributions
I've never heard of them but it seems Isla bikes get consistently good reviews for simplicity, strength and above all lightness.
It's a bit of an outlay but if anything can get him out on two wheels it would seem that an Islabike can. Prepared to pay up if it'll work.
Can I get it for Christmas now, is the question and can Santa get it down the chimney?
Please watch this space
I've never heard of them but it seems Isla bikes get consistently good reviews for simplicity, strength and above all lightness.
It's a bit of an outlay but if anything can get him out on two wheels it would seem that an Islabike can. Prepared to pay up if it'll work.
Can I get it for Christmas now, is the question and can Santa get it down the chimney?
Please watch this space
Isla bikes are probably the best, but my kids didn't really take to cycling until I got them both a Specialised Hot Rock each. Good value, a lot lighter than their old Raleigh, good range of gears. Riding position is quite upright. One is a nice blue but not sure is the colour is size dependant. Also the Guy at Specialised Nottingham did a great job of getting the kids interested.
I should've said, most of the kids I coach who ride Islabikes go like stink. Some kids will use Ridgebacks and do okay and some turn up on things which have more in common with a black and decker workmate and really struggle. Sometimes they'll ask for an Islabike for birthdays and you'll see them go faster straight away.
I didn't know about Islabikes until a couple of years ago so our lads had the Ridgeback and Hotrock and they did well enough on them.
I cant stress enough the fun kids get out of Go Ride club sessions. They're always a good laugh so check out British Cyclings Go Ride Club Finder
http://www.britishcycling.org.uk/clubfinder
I didn't know about Islabikes until a couple of years ago so our lads had the Ridgeback and Hotrock and they did well enough on them.
I cant stress enough the fun kids get out of Go Ride club sessions. They're always a good laugh so check out British Cyclings Go Ride Club Finder
http://www.britishcycling.org.uk/clubfinder
Well, today went like this.
7.45am - Santa's left me a bike; but it's massive!
8.00am - are we going to try it out this morning - "No I'll wait until Spring"
10.00am - Front street on the way to a quite country lane. - Daddy! hold me! Don't let me go!
10.15am - Don't let me go!
10.16am - Come on, you said it was a lot easier to pedal and very light. Wobble, winge, few tears.
10.20am - Gets to try and ride without me but he's on the brakes as soon as he gets past walking pace downhill.
10.30am Starts to leave me behind. We stop, turn around and head for home as a) his thumbs are hurting and b) Grandmas coming. He rides home without help except wobbles and hits the neighbours hedge. Back home - Dad can we go out again this afternoon.
15.00 we go out again, he rides unaided for about a mile and a half with a few stops to let me catch up, breathless.
Home again, he's wanting to go out again tomorrow with me on my bike.
One day from Zero to Hero after about 4 years of crying, wobbling, and general failure.
Thank you Islabikes (and everyone on PH who recommended them.
7.45am - Santa's left me a bike; but it's massive!
8.00am - are we going to try it out this morning - "No I'll wait until Spring"
10.00am - Front street on the way to a quite country lane. - Daddy! hold me! Don't let me go!
10.15am - Don't let me go!
10.16am - Come on, you said it was a lot easier to pedal and very light. Wobble, winge, few tears.
10.20am - Gets to try and ride without me but he's on the brakes as soon as he gets past walking pace downhill.
10.30am Starts to leave me behind. We stop, turn around and head for home as a) his thumbs are hurting and b) Grandmas coming. He rides home without help except wobbles and hits the neighbours hedge. Back home - Dad can we go out again this afternoon.
15.00 we go out again, he rides unaided for about a mile and a half with a few stops to let me catch up, breathless.
Home again, he's wanting to go out again tomorrow with me on my bike.
One day from Zero to Hero after about 4 years of crying, wobbling, and general failure.
Thank you Islabikes (and everyone on PH who recommended them.
Skyedriver said:
Well, today went like this.
7.45am - Santa's left me a bike; but it's massive!
8.00am - are we going to try it out this morning - "No I'll wait until Spring"
10.00am - Front street on the way to a quite country lane. - Daddy! hold me! Don't let me go!
10.15am - Don't let me go!
10.16am - Come on, you said it was a lot easier to pedal and very light. Wobble, winge, few tears.
10.20am - Gets to try and ride without me but he's on the brakes as soon as he gets past walking pace downhill.
10.30am Starts to leave me behind. We stop, turn around and head for home as a) his thumbs are hurting and b) Grandmas coming. He rides home without help except wobbles and hits the neighbours hedge. Back home - Dad can we go out again this afternoon.
15.00 we go out again, he rides unaided for about a mile and a half with a few stops to let me catch up, breathless.
Home again, he's wanting to go out again tomorrow with me on my bike.
One day from Zero to Hero after about 4 years of crying, wobbling, and general failure.
Thank you Islabikes (and everyone on PH who recommended them.
That's cool man.7.45am - Santa's left me a bike; but it's massive!
8.00am - are we going to try it out this morning - "No I'll wait until Spring"
10.00am - Front street on the way to a quite country lane. - Daddy! hold me! Don't let me go!
10.15am - Don't let me go!
10.16am - Come on, you said it was a lot easier to pedal and very light. Wobble, winge, few tears.
10.20am - Gets to try and ride without me but he's on the brakes as soon as he gets past walking pace downhill.
10.30am Starts to leave me behind. We stop, turn around and head for home as a) his thumbs are hurting and b) Grandmas coming. He rides home without help except wobbles and hits the neighbours hedge. Back home - Dad can we go out again this afternoon.
15.00 we go out again, he rides unaided for about a mile and a half with a few stops to let me catch up, breathless.
Home again, he's wanting to go out again tomorrow with me on my bike.
One day from Zero to Hero after about 4 years of crying, wobbling, and general failure.
Thank you Islabikes (and everyone on PH who recommended them.
Skyedriver said:
Well, today went like this.
7.45am - Santa's left me a bike; but it's massive!
8.00am - are we going to try it out this morning - "No I'll wait until Spring"
10.00am - Front street on the way to a quite country lane. - Daddy! hold me! Don't let me go!
10.15am - Don't let me go!
10.16am - Come on, you said it was a lot easier to pedal and very light. Wobble, winge, few tears.
10.20am - Gets to try and ride without me but he's on the brakes as soon as he gets past walking pace downhill.
10.30am Starts to leave me behind. We stop, turn around and head for home as a) his thumbs are hurting and b) Grandmas coming. He rides home without help except wobbles and hits the neighbours hedge. Back home - Dad can we go out again this afternoon.
15.00 we go out again, he rides unaided for about a mile and a half with a few stops to let me catch up, breathless.
Home again, he's wanting to go out again tomorrow with me on my bike.
One day from Zero to Hero after about 4 years of crying, wobbling, and general failure.
Thank you Islabikes (and everyone on PH who recommended them.
Brilliant result. Hopefully the start of a shared pastime. 7.45am - Santa's left me a bike; but it's massive!
8.00am - are we going to try it out this morning - "No I'll wait until Spring"
10.00am - Front street on the way to a quite country lane. - Daddy! hold me! Don't let me go!
10.15am - Don't let me go!
10.16am - Come on, you said it was a lot easier to pedal and very light. Wobble, winge, few tears.
10.20am - Gets to try and ride without me but he's on the brakes as soon as he gets past walking pace downhill.
10.30am Starts to leave me behind. We stop, turn around and head for home as a) his thumbs are hurting and b) Grandmas coming. He rides home without help except wobbles and hits the neighbours hedge. Back home - Dad can we go out again this afternoon.
15.00 we go out again, he rides unaided for about a mile and a half with a few stops to let me catch up, breathless.
Home again, he's wanting to go out again tomorrow with me on my bike.
One day from Zero to Hero after about 4 years of crying, wobbling, and general failure.
Thank you Islabikes (and everyone on PH who recommended them.
I love cycling with the kids is great fun; whether the local roads, MTB trails or last year's cycling by the Loire
Similar experience with IslaBikes. Boy goes to nursery on his Rothan balance bike for about a year. Gets CNOC 16 from massively bikey uncle and aunt for fourth birthday.
8:45 "want to ride new bike to school"
8:48 leave house - "don't let go!"
8:50 I have to jog.
8:55 Get to a non-main road part of route
8:58 he arrives at nursery
9:00 I arrive at nursery, breathless
Following week - am complimented on my "dad running" by a friend who I regularly meet on the school run.
Two bits of advice from the Isla Bikes instructions: Don't use stabilisers as leaning is an important part of steering, and don't try to teach learn on long grass as it makes it far too hard to pedal, even if it is a softer landing.
8:45 "want to ride new bike to school"
8:48 leave house - "don't let go!"
8:50 I have to jog.
8:55 Get to a non-main road part of route
8:58 he arrives at nursery
9:00 I arrive at nursery, breathless
Following week - am complimented on my "dad running" by a friend who I regularly meet on the school run.
Two bits of advice from the Isla Bikes instructions: Don't use stabilisers as leaning is an important part of steering, and don't try to teach learn on long grass as it makes it far too hard to pedal, even if it is a softer landing.
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