Buying advice for a small child bike.

Hi, I'm looking to buy a bike with stabilisers for a 4.5 year old.
There seems to be various types with different crank lengths etc.
I would appreciate any advice thanks.

I know there are buying guides but would rather have advice from bike enthusiasts on here rather than being from an unknown source

My advice would be do not go down the stabiliser route - get a balance bike first.

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You can't go far wrong with islabikes for kids

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KDM":34pepe98 said:

You can't go far wrong with islabikes for kids

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+1

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Boy or Girl?
I only ask as I have a Ridgeback Melody Girls bike that I need to sell.
I've been really impressed with the Ridgeback kids bikes. Similar to the Isla bikes, but without the fashion tax

He has a balance bike already, he's had it a while. I appreciate Islabikes are regarded as the best, but he's not to keen on cycling and the bike will only last a year or so so spending that much money wouldn't be ideal.

Can you send me details on the Ridgeback please!

My daughter got a bike from Halfords, cheap, cheerful and girly. It had stabilisers and we removed them one day and spent a while as she got used to riding on two wheels - a little effort until she found her balance and she was good to go. If I was doing it again, I would check local gumtree or facebook selling sites for a second hand bike. As you said, it is only for a year really. She progressed to a BMX (which she picked) but now finds it too 'boyey' so she recently reverted back to a girly bike which we bought from Smyths Toy Shop. It is an MTB of sorts, I couldn't coax her into a road bike! If you really want an Islabike, check out ads for kids bikes on Bike Radar - they appear there on occasion and are reasonably priced.

As with everything with children, things you buy have a very short lifespan, so I would spend as little as possible. (honestly, I am not a miser!)

Richard

Ah fair enough.

If you can find one get a Raleigh Hotrod 20. The frame was made from Airlite 6061.

There are in fact usually a few Airlite ones on fleabay even though the sellers often claim they are steel: They are red, without front suspension and have silver stickers (saying Airlite) on both seat stays by the brakes. They also have black seat collars rather than clamps.

They are also lighter than a light thing.

Like this: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Raleigh-Hot-R ... 7675.l2557

I bought a specialised hot rock for my 5 year old. Should last more than a year as has room for growth. Nice bike too.