Buying child's first bike

[Leighcal]

Well the time has come to buy my little lad his first bike, it's his birthday end of this month and grandma has said she will buy his first bike. He knows how to ride a bike as I built one out of bits and bats I had around and found whilst foraging! He does really well on the balance bike that we got him for Christmas so am hoping he won't have stabilisers on too long? We shall see!
Anyway what I want to know is, what bikes to stay well away from and which bikes should I be looking out for? I'd like to build him a mini burner but that's not gonna happen sadly!
Also how do I measure him up and decide which bike to go with?
All information very much appreciated, if anyone has anything that you think may suit my needs please let me know.

Thanks in advance

Leigh

 

[02gf74]

You dont say how old or tall your son is. Basically young children grow so whatever bike you buy will be too small in say 2 years time. For that reason get a cheap bike as it is throwaway money,

Also the bikes are made cheap and not to last.

I just finished fixing a kids bike, the headset is just a pair of plastc discs and plastic bush


... if you are interested, i can post details but youd need to pick up as postage will reduce bargaininess.

 

[kaiser]

I'd actually say the opposite. Spend a wee bit of cash, cheap bikes will probably be very heavy, nothing like a weighty bike to put them off. Islabike or Frog are decent and can be resold afterwards without too much loss. I'd also say try without stabilisers, my eldest went straight from balance bike to pedalling .

 

[mk one]

When i bought my daughter her first bike after her balance bike i wanted her to have something resembling a bike/mtb and not a toy.
I heard good things about childrens ridgebacks, they are made of half decent alumimium and are light, have decent off road tyres and v brakes. She is now just turned 7 and out grown her first bike but i was that impressed that her next bike is also going to be a ridgeback. Same plus points as before but now with gears, gripshift There are probably a few other brands out there but the ridgebacks have everything you need and wont put your child off of biking because they are heavy, break or need constant servicing. A real mtb for children. sounds like i should be in the ridgeback marketing dept
I know you have a son, and i think the mx16 and mx20 are the equivalent boys versions. Hope this helped a little

Mark

 

[mk one]

I'd also say try without stabilisers, my eldest went straight from balance bike to pedalling .

i agree, my daughter went from balance bike to pedalling. Find a little slope so they can roll down anyway and all they have to learn is to turn the pedals. Make sure they look ahead and not down at the pedals and they will be fine

Mark

 

[M-Power]

I'd actually say the opposite. Spend a wee bit of cash, cheap bikes will probably be very heavy, nothing like a weighty bike to put them off. Islabike or Frog are decent and can be resold afterwards without too much loss. I'd also say try without stabilisers, my eldest went straight from balance bike to pedalling .

100% agree. Get a S/H Islabike, kids love them and they ride so well. I tried my kids one, awesome handling and really light too. Sold it for £15 more than I paid for it

 

[Leighcal]

Yeah I've read quite a few on here go for islabike. My pad is 3 this time but quite tall when compared to others of his age and some even older. The one I made out of bits for him has 14" wheels, without trying bigger wheels I'm not sure it would fit him. It seems he's too big for stuff he should be using and too small for the next size. Might have to go to lbs and see what he can do for me, even if he's kind enough to let me try him on a couple of bikes that would be great. I dropped him a couple of wheels in that I'd foraged a while back and in return he's let me use various tools in my hours of need.
Thanks so far

Leigh

 

[24pouces]

Re:

I just have bought a Decathlon 14" wheels bike for my son last week (I don't know if you got the Decathlon - Btwin brand in UK)
there's a free-wheel and brakes levers nice designed for his little hands. He rode a Draisienne since 6 month and the day I offered him the bike, I removed the little lateral wheel
Look the link…
https://www.decathlon.fr/velo-14-calipo-id_8202270.html

 

[nonowt]

I also agree with Kaiser. Don't bother with stabilisers. I've taught three or four kids to cycle in less than an afternoon (per kid!). Walk behind you son with you hands on his shoulders and then gradually lessen your grip, then start letting go but still be ready to catch him until his off on his own. I think stabiliser actually hinder learning as they doing the balancing for the kid.

I also agree about getting an Islabike or other more expensive make. A cheap bike will be heavy to ride and lose 80% of it's value pretty much straight away. My sons on his fourth Isla (all bought new) and due to the high resale value we've probably only spent about £350 in total.

bought sold
1st bike £150 £120
2nd £200 £220(!)
3rd £250 £210
4th £300 (still got)

 

[02gf74]

This is the sort of thing i refer to, 14 in wheels. Seatpost travel about 2 ins so will not last long for a growing child.

I may be alone in believe a small child needs a expensive carbon bike with front suspension and xtr gears, certainly not until about 11 years old when they are ready for 26 in.

The myth that small children are put off cycling by heavy bikes is propagated by manufacturers who want your money.

I see pkenty of yobs/yoofs round here on crappy hlafords and argos 26 inbikes which indicates it is not the bike that puts peipke off.