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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

£205 for a second-hand children's bike?!

42 replies

Wallace · 30/05/2011 20:48

I have read on here about how fantastic islabikes are so I thought I would like to get one for my ds2's fifth birthday. No way we could afford a new one (£249.99) so I have been looking on ebay.

More than £200 for a 4 year old bike Shock

OP posts:
280169 · 30/05/2011 20:49

omg thats very very expensive,no way I could afford to pay that

DorisIsAPinkDragon · 30/05/2011 20:52

bloody hell someone saw them coming.... if the new ones are £249 !

I wouldn't be surprised if it's not relisted in a few days with a non payment.

Original poster
Wallace · 30/05/2011 20:57

Amazingly they all seem to go for almost as much - between 190 and 210 Shock

OP posts:
Adair · 30/05/2011 20:57

We got a Ridgeback for dd after lots of research. Much cheaper (and we got second-hand too). Is great 'proper' bike, light, excellent quality... Bikes are expensive!

'Boys' version Hmm

tyler80 · 30/05/2011 20:59

One of the reasons people buy a 250 quid kids bike is they know they can sell them on for 200 quid.

DontCallMePeanut · 30/05/2011 20:59

WTF! Does it fly, as well?

spiderslegs · 30/05/2011 21:00

Have been umming and ahhing about an Isla - seems alot to pay but friends who have them for DCs swear by them, and DS (just 4) rides his friend's without stabilisers.

However - am now off to check out Ridgebacks - thanks Adair

Original poster
Wallace · 30/05/2011 21:01

The Ridgeback looks good - I knew there was another make that people recommend but couldn't remember what it was, thank you.

The only thing is that my ds2 is already riding a 16inch bike (and has been since he was 3), and we would like to get the next size up, but islabikes seem to be the only ones that have 20inch wheels but small frames.

OP posts:
Original poster
Wallace · 30/05/2011 21:04

wow the ridgebacks are cheaper new than the islabikes are second hand!

OP posts:
brownsauce · 30/05/2011 21:07

DD2 has an Islabike, and it is brilliant. With bikes, you get what you pay for and the fact that the second hand values are so good basically proves that these are decent bikes that hold their value.

We can't get DD2 off her bike, it is so light so she can properly enjoy going out on the bike and going for proper bike ride.

Yes, you can get bikes for under 100 quid but they are heavy and will last maybe a year or two before they are completely knackered. If you can afford that bit extra, go for it because your son will really benefit having a second hand islabike over a new thing from halfords or toys r us or tescos.

When our DD2 outgrows hers i would be surprised if we didn't get 50% of its value back anyway, so it will, in reality, only have cost slightly more than a toy bike anyway.

Worth every penny (can you tell I'm passionate about my bikes!!)

bebemooneedsabreak · 30/05/2011 21:12

The fact is Isla bikes are really well made and very durable. And they have been known to have really great after customer service.
They aren't really bikes for the average kid, but more for children who are into mtn biking (or are getting into that type of biking). Whatever you do do not look at what you can get when they get to 24" wheels... they can get VERY expensive, for instance and let me just say that's only the tip of the iceberg... And all this I know because DH is into cycling and is a bit obsessive. Wink So this is all in my future if the kids decide to follow him. (heaven help me and the family finances) Wink

Original poster
Wallace · 30/05/2011 21:14

Budget at the moment cannot stretch to a second hand islabike, but might for a ridgeback.

But I don't really want to be buying the same size as he has.... arghhh!

Thing is if we did get an islabike then by the time ds3 (6 months) had finished with it, it would be at least 7 years old!

OP posts:
Original poster
Wallace · 30/05/2011 21:39

Eek that Scott is expensive! Cheaper to buy a playstation Wink

we do live in a fantastic area for mountain biking, and ds2 is very into bikes. Mind you - a couple of hundred quid for him to chuck his bike down on the pavement and leave it n the rain....

OP posts:
icooksocks · 30/05/2011 21:44

My DD gets by just fine on her £50 from Tesco's bike, as did I 20 years ago Hmm (and I did alot of cycling).

Pedallleur · 30/05/2011 21:49

Islabikes just have a high reputation. Well made,well-sized etc. They hold their value and are hard to find s/h as they get passed down thro' families. plenty of other makes - Trek/Scott/Ridgeback

polarbearkimmie · 30/05/2011 21:49

What is it gold plated?!?!?

A1980 · 30/05/2011 21:54

Why spend that sort of money on a bike a 5 year old will outgrow in a couple ofyears in any event.

I had raleighs as a child, nowt wrong with them. And they were passed onto cousins, etc. Still went strong for another few years after I'd finsihed.

tyler80 · 30/05/2011 21:57

People spend that money because they know that in 2/3 years time they can sell them on and have only 'spent' 50 quid. If you're lucky enough to have the spare cash it works out cheaper than buying a cheap bike.

For people who are into biking, these bikes are cheap compared to the adult ones!

pigletmania · 30/05/2011 22:02

Thats a myth brownsauce my dd 4 has a Barbie bike costing about £100 now that is about 10 years old (its been handed down from one person to another and now arrived at us) and is still as good as new and dd rides it just fine, it is sturdy, solid and is not falling apart.

My Raleigh bike (very good name) is about 10 years old, paid £`140 in the sale and its excellent and I have been riding on it quite a lot. Isla bikes seem very overpriced for a kiddies bike, I am sure that there are much cheaper alternatives that will do the job just as well.

pigletmania · 30/05/2011 22:05

I would much rather get dd a Raleigh once she outgrows her Barbie bike, they do the job just as well and are a very reliable name, I used to own Raleighs as a kid and never had a problem riding them, in fact I think my mum still has mine in her garage thats over 25 years old and still fit to ride.

needanewname · 30/05/2011 22:08

We've had a few people (who have then gone on to explain that they are cycling enthusiasts) stop us and comment on the DCs bikes (Isla bikes - the Rothan and the next one up - can;t remember what its called) and about how good they are as they are proper bikes.

I suppose it really depends on your budget and how often your DC will use it. They do hold their value and Islabikes do buy them back from you too.

blueshoes · 30/05/2011 22:08

We bought a LikeaBike (balance bike) for £75 brand new and sold it on eBay for about £180 5 years and 2 children later.

It is amazing quality.

bleedingstill · 30/05/2011 22:10

islabikes are absolutely wonderful

bleedingstill · 30/05/2011 22:10

wallace I was not aware they made them for children as young as five

nijinsky · 30/05/2011 22:11

Thats crazy. I got a second hand Scott hardtail off ebay for £25 which I actually did 3 proper mountain bike races on! I also got an all singing, all dancing full sus Trek (a "super lightweight") for £400 off ebay. Thats a silly amount to pay for something she's going to outgrow.

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