Recommend me a Girls Bike - Budget upto £250/£300

[fossyant]

As in the title, Miss Fos (aged 9 average height) is starting to outgrow her girls BMX - about to fit a longer seat post though.

She did her first taster at the Mossley CRC Club last night and enjoyed it. Her 'cycling' has improved a lot over summer having been 'out and about' with friends at the in-laws caravan - i.e. no mum and dad in tow.

Her BMX is single speed so now looking at a full set of gears - she's used to gears on the Trek Tag-a-long.

Important consideration for Miss Fos is colour. Me it's spec and value, wanting something that will be nippy - i.e. easy to ride.

So far I've got this on the short list:-

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/..._-Product_Details_Zone_1-_-Blank&iozone=PDPz1

Carrera Luna 24" SRAM X3, discs, smart looking and light (ish).

Little Miss not too keen on colour, but I think it looks smart and the equipment list is very good. I can also get a further 10% off with British Cycling.

I haven't come across anything better spec wise. Looked at the Islabikes, and not sure I'm getting the kit for the price ?

Any ideas folks ? Boys are easier to satisfy !

PS It was MRS Fos that said she needed a new bike, not me. Been holding off as Miss Fos hasn't been that 'keen' on cycling.

 

[Crackle]

A few options:-

Ridgeback: http://www.ridgeback.co.uk/bike/destiny
Scott: http://www.scott-sports.com/global/en/products/227868193/bike-voltage-jr-24-disc-24/
http://www.scott-sports.com/global/en/products/227867193/bike-voltage-jr-24-tmo-24/ in Blue
Trek: http://www.trekbikes.com/uk/en/coll...tails?url=uk/en/collections/kids/mt_220_girls
Marin: http://www.marin.co.uk/2013/bikepage.php?ModNo=13BYG

They should all just be in budget. Once you get to 24", Isla don't look as good unless you want a road bike.

Edit: Maybe not the Marin unless you can find a good deal

 

[fossyant]

Cheers - yes the Ridgeback has crossed my mind - it's basically the same bike as the boys MX - we've just picked one of them up second hand for my son to cycle to school on, and it is a very good bike - it's survived the 'battering' it has had previously well. Only needed cleaning and new chain/freewheel.

The Trek looks very girly too.

 

[Hacienda71]

Get thee to Decathlon. Just avoid buying a load of stuff for yourself.

 

[fossyant]

Get thee to Decathlon. Just avoid buying a load of stuff for yourself.

Had a look at the Girls bikes and wasn't that impressed by the range ! She'd probably like then though.

 

[Crackle]

No, I didn't rate the Decathlon kids bikes when I looked at them.

Ridgeback is an excellent bike. We have an MX24 as well.

We have a bigger Scott too and I like Scott bikes as well

 

[fossyant]

I think we are off to Halfords to check out sizing. The missus very nearly went into a Halfords this lunch (OMG - she never does that) but ended up in M&S !

I don't think girls bikes for 9-12 year olds are very well catered for overall - you are stuck with MTB's of one form or other. And it's a big jump to 26" bikes. My 'almost' 12 year old son has only just got to 26" all be it on a small frame - he's not big enough for a 650 road bike !

Looking like the Ridgeback or Carrera at the moment - the Ridgeback is significantly cheaper on line than in Evans - price match ???. Although I can get the Carrera for £170 with BC discount. Both local Evans aren't showing stock of the Ridgeback.

 

[fossyant]

Ended up with the Carrera. Little Miss really liked the colour after seeing it in the shop. Took away in the box, got 3 for 2 on accessories, so ended up with three bottles, two cages, and a rucksack cover for the kids, one of the accessories was then discounted to zero by the assistant as one came free with the bike, and then I popped the British Cycling discount on. Saved £36 in total.

 

[The Brewer]

Our Little Miss has the Carrera Luna and been happily riding it now for six months.
I won't say what state it was in when we collected it from Halfords but I've serviced it and its a goodun now.

 

[fossyant]

That's why I picked it up in a box. Needed adjustment to gears and disc brakes, but good to go.

 

[fossyant]

Rear rotor is on the wrong way - spotted that last night as the 'spokes' should sweep forward. Tonights job - swap over and adjust the callipers.

 

[Crackle]

Good result.