I've never bought a Islabike - but whenever I look at the sizing - it usually makes me think I could almost go up a size in bikes for my children. For example I ended up buying my 10 year old a 24" bike last year, but according to their site a 24" is from 7+. My youngest who is waiting to grow into our (whispers very quietly)
Halfords 20" (rubish) bike is 7 and still can't touch the ground on it, yet according to Islabikes a 7 y.o. could fit a 24". (Well he couldn't as his inside leg is only 54 cm - but probably about the same time as he could fit the Halfords 20"). Could anyone comment whether the bike sizing is different?
On my experience of bikes - (didn't know what I was doing when I bought our children their bikes), Halfords are heavy and badly designed. Stay well away from supermarket and Toyshop bikes. At least if you go to a bike shop to a known brand you are starting to go in the right direction - although they all seem to think we want suspension for our kids, and whilst I've never seen one I think an Islabike might be one of the best ones.
One of the kids in my sons class has a Belgium parent, and he just got a new bike last week - complete with rack and light - I haven't tried lifting it yet but it did look more like a bike and less like a toy than half the bikes in the bike racks at school.
