Buying child's first bike

[RickTheUncivil]

best bet to get the right size - go to a bike shop. even halfords, doesnt matter if you are not buying one there, they have a selection to chose from so you can try different sizes and get the right one.
LBS will be helpful and should be able to supply something decent for a fair price.

 

[mk one]

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.

I feel that teaching your child to ride, hoping they will embrace it and want to ride on a regular basis, can be made a lot more enjoyable by reducing the energy/strain of trying to push heavy pedals round. Give a child a light bike and they can concentrate on having fun instead. Not propaganda, just the way it is. And like many have said, childrens bikes have a very high resale value, especially quality light bikes. And im sure the youths round your way would rob,sorry, ride, any bike they could get and probably arent riding them for enjoyment but as transport.

 

[02gf74]

I feel that teaching your child to ride, hoping they will embrace it and want to ride on a regular basis, can be made a lot more enjoyable by reducing the energy/strain of trying to push heavy pedals round. k:

Nonsense, heavy bikes can be embraced with a bit of "encouragement" :?

 

[mk one]

I feel that teaching your child to ride, hoping they will embrace it and want to ride on a regular basis, can be made a lot more enjoyable by reducing the energy/strain of trying to push heavy pedals round. k:

Nonsense, heavy bikes can be embraced with a bit of "encouragement" :?

i like that

Just saying it would be more enjoyable, for the child that is!

 

[Kerplunk]

Re:

Islabike if you can afford it. I couldn't so my two ended up on Ridgebacks as they seemed to be the best compromise between price, weight and quality. Some bikes we looked at just weighed so much you couldn't see how a kid wouldn't struggle/be put off from riding them.

 

[Leighcal]

Thanks for all your input, much appreciated. After looking round and trying to find best value for money I ended up getting him this,

http://www.winstanleysbikes.co.uk/produ ... AmfH8P8HAQ

Ridgeback seem to be more money for 14" wheel than 16" wheel for some reason. The one I've linked to is alloy frame and has v brakes so should be light enough and have plenty of stopping power. It's due to arrive today and it's his birthday tomorrow so once it's built I'll update here to give people a idea of quality, weight etc.

Thanks again for your help, much appreciated

Leigh