Kids bike advice

[noahboy]

Hi all,

Apologies for gatecrashing your forum, but I'm a complete cycling ignoramus trying to buy a bike for my six-year-old son.

His first bike was basically a 10-ton toy from Halfords, and I'd like to spend a bit more on a better bike without going crazy. I looked at a Frog in my local bike shop the other day, but it's £255 and I'm reluctant to spend that much on a bike that my lad may not even ride that often.

I've found a bike online that's on offer for £139 (usually £199), and I was wondering if someone could give me a quick opinion on whether it's any good or not? It's 10.8kg, which is a couple of kgs heavier than the Frog, but still a decent weight compared to many kids' bikes in this price range.

http://www.ukbikesdepot.com/products.php?show=11667

Thanks in advance!
Paul

 

[raleighnut]

Looks OK but check that there are 'span adjuster' screws on the brake levers, or the holes to fit them at least.

 

[Globalti]

Looks fine as it doesn't have heavy and unnecessary suspension. He will enjoy riding that and will probably ride it more often.

The best kids' bikes are still Islabikes but they hold their value second-hand. My son loved his and we sold it for almost what we paid for it three years before.

 

[mick160]

I would look at the islabikes range. Yes its going to be more than your budget but they command a very good resale value so if you sell it on when your son outgrows it you will make a good portion of your money back.

As for your son not riding it that often, maybe he will be more inclined to use it if its lighter and well equipped and therefore easier to ride and faster.

 

[DCLane]

If you're on a budget I can definately recommend a Ridgeback MX20 - it's an aluminium frame and my son's took a bashing and still kept going. They also hold their value well for resale.

Bikes2U have it at £179.99

 

[MartinQ]

Decathlon generally do good intermediate bikes
http://www.decathlon.co.uk/C-376960-kids-bikes/N-102586-bike-size~20-inch

 

[noahboy]

Thanks very much for all your replies, it's much appreciated.

There have been a few alternatives suggested so I'll have a look at those before pulling the trigger!

Thanks again.

 

[cyberknight]

Mini ck 1 wanted a new bike for x mas , the vouchers swmbo saves for with love2shop is not accepted at decathlon so i have had to go for a halfords bike for him , nowt wrong with it but its not alloy certainly although its the only one i have found with mini v`s rather than the cheap and nasty calipers on most bikes his size.
http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/kids-bikes/apollo-starfighter-boys-bike-16

 

[cosmicbike]

My lad ended up on a Ridgeback MX24 following advice here, great bike.
Don't overlook the Halfords Carerra range, my 6 year old daughter is on a Luna, it's light, tough and has decent SRAM gears and branded suspension fork.

 

[DCLane]

My lad ended up on a Ridgeback MX24 following advice here, great bike..

Ditto my 10yo; having had an MX20 we've got him an MX24 now.

 

[cyberknight]

Picked the bike up today , with BC discount its a good bike for the price , the brake arms are metal rather than plastic like you get on some cheap bikes and i would describe it as "bombproof "
Pity hes so small as although hes 7 he is too small for a geared bike as he looks about 5 so he cant ride a bike big enough.