What bikes to your kids have?

[VanessaShanessaJenkins]

Dd needs a new bike as hers is too small. She needs a 20in one which she just about fits but I can't seem to find out a great deal online. The shop I went in to size her up the man was actually really helpful and suggested looking online as they only had a few in store. Their top end one is a little over £200 and I really liked it (as did dd) but it seems a lot when they have perfectly good ones for less than £100.
Since coming home however I've been on argos where £200 seems really expensive as they have loads much cheaper and Evans where £200 seems like the cheapest of the cheap.

Anyone have any recommendations? Anything to avoid?

Thanks


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[NetballHoop]

How old is she? I wouldn't spend a lot if she's likely to have a growth spurt any time soon.

[GetRid]

Frog and Isla are the best, as they are lightweight. They are v pricey but easily available second hand.

Halfords bikes are all heavy, my daughter has one which I am about to sell in order to get a second hand Frog instead.

[NetballHoop]

Oh, and I should say that the worst new bike we ever bought came from Halfords.

Despite the free bike service they offered it was never any good.

[megletthesecond]

Mine have the cheap (approx £100) Apollo brand bikes from Halfords.

They're still growing out of bikes every couple of years. I don't want to spend silly money on something that they will be rough with and may be stolen.

[Poochnewbie]

Frog recommendation here. They are really well made and lightweight.
Isla are excellent too but we go with a frog as the price increase for Isla doesn’t give much of a better bike than the Frog and probably wouldn’t make a difference to the riding experience.
Both Frog and Isla hold their value and resell very easily.

[Medianoche]

Frog are great. If you think she might grow again soon, it might be worth considering leasing instead of buying, then you can just swap for a bigger size as needed. We use Bike Club and they’ve been great.

[SmartPlay]

Can't recommend a brand, but just go second hand.

[JimmyPanda]

We have Frog bikes through the Bike Club for £10ish a month. You can send it back and upgrade to a bigger size when they grow. Would highly recommend it!

[SushiGo]

Go for the lightest bike you can afford and watch her fly off into the distance! Makes such a difference.

[PinkWellingtons]

Frog bikes here for my 7 and 3 yr olds

[OddestSock]

Mine are 9 and 7, the 9 year old has a frog bike, the 7 year old an islabike. Both are fantastic, very lightweight and easy to ride. We bought the islabike secondhand and will probably get back what we paid when we sell it on, the frog bike was new, we may lose a bit of money on it, but it will have gone through both kids before that.

[fiorentina]

We’ve had both Frog and Isla bikes and I thoroughly recommend them. Light and easy to ride and if looked after you can sell ok for a similar amount that you paid.

[VanessaShanessaJenkins]

Lots of recommendations for frog bikes. I've never even heard of them. Thanks all. Off to Google. She's only just big enough for the 20 inch so it should last her a few years.

[iMatter]

My teens have Frog bikes. Would definitely recommend them.

[EskewedBeef]

We've had the last few from Decathlon. Good quality and very good value for pleasure cyclists.

[RainOrSun]

Another pair of frogs here. Both bought second hand, and look immaculate.
Had Isla's before, and they are also amazing bikes. Sold on after 5 years use (both my kids rode them), and new owner equally delighted.
As a 25kg child, the thought of trying to pedal a 10kg bike makes me exhausted, let alone doing it!

There is an active Facebook site selling second hand frogs - preowned frog bike community

[Figgygal]

Both of mine have frog bikes
Eldest was bought youngest has a balance bike rented from the bike club for £5 per month will trade in for next one up when it becomes too small for him

[TuckMyWin]

Isla bikes here. Both bought second hand. We got one on the preloved Facebook group, and the second on eBay.

[VanessaShanessaJenkins]

I've been googling frogs and islas. Think they are probably the way we'll go. Found 2 islas on Ebay the right size close by. Thanks again everyone

[ChilliScallops]

Try Woom bikes. Had too many cheap bikes and they are such hard work. A decent bike will keep it’s value

[Smellybluecheese]

My 4 year old has an islabike. It’s brilliant, she’s the only one of her friends who can actually cycle and I put that down to the bike being lightweight.

[TuckMyWin]

Agreed Smelly - my 4 year old was also the first of his friends to learn to ride, on his 4th birthday. We are about to hand his bike on to his younger brother, who is 3 next month, and who I expect to be riding by the end of the year!

[Wellhellojonsnow]

Frog bikes - over £200 but you get half of that back when you resell. They’re very popular and sell 2nd hand well.