How adjustable is it?
The Rothan we tested came already set-up for our two-year-old tester’s size but, if you need to adjust the seat, you'll require only the allen key.
It can micro-adjust to any size between the ages of two (with an inseam of 30cm) and four (with an inseam of 42cm). A long seatpost that extends to 47cm can also be added, which could potentially take the age range up to age five.
However, as it's quite a small bike and the handlebars don’t adjust, your child will likely find it more comfortable to move on to a pedal bike when they reach four years old.
How comfortable is it?
Our two-year-old found the Islabikes Rothan an easy ride right from the get-go and it was her bike of choice when given the option, easily racking up hours of cycling.
She stayed put in the dedicated ‘scoop’ saddle without any sliding about and her shoulders were comfortably matched to the bike’s wide handlebars.
It's designed perfectly for little hand and legs.
How does it look?
Sleek, sporty and modern, the Islabikes Rothan is designed to look like a serious mountain bike, but its three bright colour options will also appeal to many toddlers. We tested the green colourway (no longer available), which our two-year-old tester chose and loved.
Along with black tyres and spokes, the overall design doesn't show up any dirt, but the frame and wheels can still be wiped down easily with a damp cloth if necessary.
What’s it like to use day-to-day?
The Rothan is the lightest bike we tested that was also able to cope with every kind of terrain – impressive for any bike, let alone a lightweight one.
Weight means a lot when you consider how much energy it takes for a child to keep a balance bike moving, plus how often you’re likely to carry it. Adele often found herself with a toddler in one arm and a bike in the other without experiencing any discomfort at all.
Grippy tyres allow the bike to glide effortlessly. The design is stable and highly responsive for easy riding, a vital movement to prepare a child for pedalling later on.
Once she’d got the hang of riding a balance bike, Adele's daughter found that she was able to gather momentum with little effort, which allowed her to put her legs up and balance properly.
With some of the other bikes we tested, like the Puky LR1, she needed some help to get going. But, with the Rothan, she would quickly pick this one up and head off when she thought another bike felt too much like hard work.
When it came time to tuck the bike away, the Rothan was a compact option for Adele with a good range of motion on its steering, which allowed it to fit easily into both her front porch and her car boot.
Final verdict?
The Rothan's impressive lightness combined with its consistent high performance makes for an ideal first foray into cycling, which is why it won the race and was awarded Mumsnet's Best Balance Bike 2019.
This is a bike that you’ll pass from sibling to sibling before selling it on, still recouping much of what you originally spent. It’s an athlete-standard bicycle rather than a toy, ready to take on both the school run and the family cycle ride.
If you can afford it, then it certainly represents good value for money. However, it was the most expensive balance bike we tested and there are other reasonable, workable options available for less.
With that said, a balance bike is a waste of money if a child won’t use it because riding is laborious. You’re also less likely to get your toddler cycling if you're reluctant to be saddled with carrying a heavy load.
Adele scored it highly in every category, only expressing concern that the bike’s age range is limited compared to some of the other models her toddler tried out. You’d be looking at getting another bike by age four at the latest, but since it’s meant to be a transitional bike, your child would likely be ready to move on to a pedal bike by then anyway.
What the model lacks in longevity it more than makes up for with its custom fit designed to give the even smallest of riders the most enjoyable cycling start possible.
With balance and steering firmly in place, your child is likely to then transition to whichever pedal bike comes next with little difficulty and lots of enthusiasm.
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