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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to consider buying this bike for ds (5)?

198 replies

mikado1 · 15/04/2017 17:25

His favourite apparently but his dad thinks it's 'girlish'-only because the halford's man said it's a girl's bike, I believe. And yet I see all the reviews talk about buying it for a girl :/ I feel we should go with whAt he wants, I've always told him that boys and girls can play with/wear/do what they choose and aren't limited to 'boys'/girls'' things. Think dh worried he will be snagged and not want to ride it. I think it's terrible to have to think like that.

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rebus1 · 16/04/2017 16:37

You're welcome, they all look good brands too. I never thought I'd have so much interest in kids bikes! I blame DS, he's so enthusiastic it has rubbed off on me. He's getting into triathlons now so I expect he'll be asking for a kids tri bike soon- I've told him no more bikes till he outgrows these ones!

Madethewrongchoice · 16/04/2017 16:48

I like it, I think it's quite neutral
And he's 5! If he was 15 I might say no but at 5 it's fine,
If that's the one he really wants let him have it, if he's still riding it in a couple of years you could always remove the stickers and spray the frame, I don't see a problem, I'm pretty sure 5-7 year olds aren't going to notice the cross bar

halobean · 16/04/2017 16:53

Wow! This is why sexism is still alive and kicking. All of you who say he will be bullied, "ripped the piss out of" etc. should be ashamed of yourselves. I can only presume you are the parents of the bullies? My kids would never behave like that!!! We should be teaching our kids there is no such thing as "girls" and "boys" things. Not persuading other mums to continue this riduclous sexist crap on and on.

kingscrossnoodle · 16/04/2017 16:55

All of you who say he will be bullied, "ripped the piss out of" etc. should be ashamed of yourselves. I can only presume you are the parents of the bullies? well then you should be ashamed of yourself for making such ridiculous and unfounded accusations.

I said the child would get bullied. I'm not quite sure how your tiny mind translated that to mean I would actively encourage my child to be a bully.

Madethewrongchoice · 16/04/2017 16:56

Well said halobean
I'm shocked by the responses on here! The bike is quite neutral and fine for any child
Get him the one he wants!!

AppleOfMyEye10 · 16/04/2017 16:59

Op I also thought it was quite neutral looking but given the responses here and from adults HmmI wouldn't want your DS to hear anything like that which may put him off from using it. Unfortunately there's a chance that he may be teased.

LordAnthony · 16/04/2017 17:02

I felt so strongly about this i re-registered with mumsnet to comment on this.

The graphics on the bike are utterly irrelevant, it quite simply a very poor and very heavy bike that will put your five year old off riding. I can't think of any bike more likely to sap the joy of riding a bike than that one.

It weighs nearly 12kg. That's 2 kilos heavier than my full size men's road bike (and 10kg isn't light for a road bike by any stretch).

On a bike that heavy and that cumbersome sadly his dreams of bombing through a forest bmx style will remain just that. The Hoy and Wiggins equivalents are roughly half that weight as they're made from aluminium and come equipped with decent brakes and tyres.

Yes they cost more, but they will be more likely to last and cost far less in repair bills and give far more riding pleasure.

Aeroflotgirl · 16/04/2017 17:06

Good on your son rebus wishing him the very best of luck. I think some people get stuck on a brand and just refuse to consider any other high end brand. Like my bike experienced friend said of Isla bikes, your paying for the name. Think Isla are making a fortune from Mumsnetters 😁. I was looking at Ridgeback 20 inch and specialised, Dawes; and they were miles cheaper, just as good. Hardly BSOs

Original poster
mikado1 · 16/04/2017 17:13

That's exactly how I feel beaderbed, and yet it's hard to put your 5yo out there and hope he won't be upset by comments /laughing. I do think, like with his pink welly choice (widely admired after the few initial remarks) and nail polish recently , if he can weather these things (as he has done without batting an eyelid), it will stand him in good sted growing up. I purposely don't comment on others choices/appearances and regularly trot out 'it's right for them', if any 'too big/small/slow' st comments are made and hope it'
ll rub off. I don't remember this when we were younger so I think it's actually got worse when we are supposedly so much more liberal etc. (A little friend's dad said 'don't let your mum paint your nails again' and was all head shaking and confused looking when I said he'd asked himself-he assumed I, not having a daughter, wanted to treat my ds like a girl, I think. But that's another thread!)

The last few posters might not have seen- the bike's too big - he seems too small for 5-7 but too big as such for the smaller. I have told him and he's disappointed but he has the choice to wait a while or see what's available and pick something knew that he likes. I will post a pic!

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TheBogQueen · 16/04/2017 17:15

We got dd3 (7) a bright orange ridgeback reconditioned mountain bike for £60. Definitely not a 'girls' bike! and she loves it - especially after the bike guy got on it and showed her how to do bunny hops on it!

I don't think it's worth spending hundreds on a kids bike. Gumtree is full of them and you can get really good deals.

I'd also suggest a more neutral
Colour - not because of the gender nonsense but because he wil have less reason to reject it in a year.

By the way I ride a man's road bike very fast to work every day and I haven't been billed about it yet Wink

Original poster
mikado1 · 16/04/2017 17:20

Thank you LordAnthony, he's our pfb first child so really we're clueless as it's first new bike. He's currently on a 12" little lightweight box style that originally came with stabilizers so I can completely get why a heavy bike's a big no no thanks to you and pp. We are going to look at Wiggins and frog - both available locally - and look for aeroflot's other suggestions too. Thanks rebus too and good luck to your son, I hope mine stays as active and outdoorsy!

OP posts:
Original poster
mikado1 · 16/04/2017 17:22

're second hand, I'd love the idea of a better price but as it's first proper bike from us and official 5th birthday present , I'm happy to go for new this time.

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TheBogQueen · 16/04/2017 17:32

Why not take him somewhere like Evans and get him to try a few? He may fall in love with the ease of riding a certain bike rather than the decoration.

Aeroflotgirl · 16/04/2017 17:33

www.leisurewheels.co.uk/m7b3s11p13282/SPECIALIZED-Hotrock-20-6-Speed-Boys-2016/RS_GB

Actually I seriously love that Giant bike for my sons birthday, it's a very good bike at a reasonable price. I am going to start saving, he's only just mastered is Isla cnoc without stabilisers and he's 5, so it will be a Christmas and birthday present for him, as his birthday is in Jan.

Aeroflotgirl · 16/04/2017 17:35

I have a Giant cypress bike which I bought from my friend, which I really love and makes riding a pleasure.

Original poster
mikado1 · 16/04/2017 17:38

Thank you aeroflot (may I call you AF?!) , looking at those links now. 6 in a way is a better age by looks of it as we're definitely falling between two stools size-wise at mo.

TheBogQueen, I don't think Evans is in Ireland. Yes absolutely I'd prefer him to look and try himself.

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Aeroflotgirl · 16/04/2017 17:42

Yes sure Mikado, there are some very good makes at much cheaper prices than an Isla, so shop around. I think I'll go for that Giant one for my son. I have a Giant which I really like. I would prefer to get him a brand new bike as its a present, not a pre owned.

Original poster
mikado1 · 16/04/2017 17:48

It's fab alright but pricey. Looking at Wiggins now, am I right to think one style per size, that's probably right?

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Original poster
mikado1 · 16/04/2017 17:54

www.halfords.ie/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductMobileDisplay?catalogId=15551&langId=-1&categoryId=212442&productId=1239149&storeId=11101

Here's the one I'm looking at- what do you think?

OP posts:
Original poster
mikado1 · 16/04/2017 17:58

It's the one you linked earlier Rebus :)

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Aeroflotgirl · 16/04/2017 18:00

The ones i linked were larger, for a 6 plus. Yes my son's Isla cnoc is just like that one Mikado

Original poster
mikado1 · 16/04/2017 18:01

www.revolvebikeshop.ie/7861/products/ridgeback-mx16-boys-16-inch-bike-in-blue.aspx Also this.

OP posts:
BastardBloodAndSand · 16/04/2017 18:07

It says Florence on the crossbar.......
No Bleddy way, you may as well stick him in the middle of the local bullies with a target on his head.