Bike for short 4 year old

[Fancyateapottea]

Hi,

My DS is on the 10th centile for height so I’m assuming he’ll need a 12 inch bike. When I’ve looked it seems to be either much cheaper ‘character’ bikes or super expensive Isla/ Frog bikes.

Is there anything in between? Really don’t want to spend more than £200 (less would be better!!) but worried a cheaper bike would be too heavy (even though DS would love the fun factor).

The only one I’ve seen that looks like what I’m after is the Raleigh pop 12 inch
www.rutlandcycling.com/bikes/pgr/raleigh-pop-12-2021-kids-12-inch-wheel-crossbar-kids-bike-black_483532?awc=3395_1604348443_d1e15ccf84bbd7e9471d2d3510998e7c&referrer=affiliatewindow

Does anyone have this bike? I would love some reviews or advice for other models.
Obviously with lockdown I won’t be able to see them in person so this would really help. Thanks!

Islabikes are brilliant and well worth paying extra for. The little one I look after got a cnoc 14 for her third birthday and was riding it two days later. It cost £180 secondhand.

Ridgeback MX12 is good, as are Dawes Blowfish 12" or a Puky 12". I wouldn't rule out a secondhand Islabike Cnoc 14 - the saddle post goes as low as most 12" bikes, and my DS could ride one easily at 3.

Personally I always go secondhand and stick a new bell and lights on it! The Cnoc would be expensive even second hand, but you can get a very good MX12 or Puky for £30, and save the money for later, when it's worth paying more.

Decathlon bikes have been great for our kids. If you can go along to one of their stores and have a look, ride on them, usually have a good choice. They are very good value too.

Mine have had balance bikes and then bikes, no stabilisers from an early age. Looked at Isla & frog bikes, But found the price too expensive.

Another vote for Isla bikes, our youngest has just mastered riding (graduate of a balance bike) but he can't set off on his own because he's too short!! We bought this particular bike second hand seven years ago for his brother, it's been lent to two other kids since. When Small has finished with it we'll replace the freewheel and probably get as much back as we paid for it on ebay

Decathlon do actually have some good adult bikes as pp said, so they're worth a visit too (just don't come out with a bow and arrow, a canoe and a badminton set)

Thanks for the suggestions everyone, I’ll take a look.

@EcoCustard Do you know if they have more selection in store? Online they only have 2 12 inch bikes and neither have pedals. I’d make the drive if so, but would be frustrating to turn up and them not have a single bike we could try!

Ps second hand bikes can be pimped with name stickers, these work a treat pegatin.com

check out a squish - quite simmilar to an Isla bike but half the price (and half the price of that on ebay!)

Ours both learned on a bike from decathlon - it was heavy but really well designed for little ones with a step through frame.
www.decathlon.co.uk/p/kids-14-inch-bike-3-4-5-years-100-arctic/_/R-p-145190

Once they got going and their confidence then we upgraded to a squish as the decathlon bike was hard for them to ride long distances on.

The decathlon bike is 14" but it is recommended from 90cm

2nd hand iskabike

Most other bikes will be far to heavy

But a 2nd hand one and you will get your money back when you sell it as they hold there value

I'm following this with interest as my teeny 9th percentile 3 year old is very ready for pedals but I don't want the heavy crappy character bikes. My 6 year old has a cubley from the bike club which is really recommend for bigger kids. I'm intrigued by the decathlon option...but his inside leg is only 36cm so I think it could still be too big anyway.

As much as I like an Islabike, I don't believe a heavier bike is necessarily a problem. The first bike my DS pedalled off on was an ancient Specialized Hotrock which weighed a ton. Most of his friends don't have expensive bikes, and they are all riding well by 4 on old Pukys and Ridgebacks.