To ask what bike your 6 year old has? (Or had)

[Lookuptotheskies]

DS needs a bike, he's six.
We tried him on a pedal bike when he was four or five but he found it heavy and stiff, and we ended up getting a larger balance bike for him and said we'd get another pedal bike this summer.

I know there are lightweight kids bikes, but they are all very expensive. I have been keeping an eye out for second hand ones but so far, no luck. Probably due to us living in an area where people don't spend £££ on bikes for young children (high rates of poverty, and bike theft!).!

So, does your child have a bike that didn't cost the earth, and that you were happy with?

I can't afford to buy an expensive one new knowing I'll be able to recoup some costs down the line. Not everyone is in that position and I'm one of those that aren't.

Ebay surely

I'd save and get a medium quality one, like Squish, Frog or Hornet.
Or, is there a subscription service in your area, such as Bike Club?

We have a 16- inch Woom. It was expensive, but has a lot of resale value hopefully. See if you can find it on Ebay or FB marketplace. It's the best!

A 6yo will need a 20 or 24 inch bike (probably the latter). Are there no 2nd hand ones if you increase the radius on marketplace to an hour drive each way?

Im in frog/islabike FB reselling groups and they seem to have people selling all over the country.

I've heard Wild Bikes (from decathlon i think) are a decent budget bike

Isla bike. Gumtree second hand (I realise you said nothing is coming up so this isn’t helping). Very cheap as it’s so old. Truly excellently made bike.

DS learned to ride on an Islabike, I recommend them to everyone, they’re amazing. Some of his friends really struggled to learn on big heavy cheap bikes, it’s so worth spending the extra money.

Mine had Frog bikes at that age, and then we got Squish for the next size up. They were happy with both brands. I bought one new the others from Nextdoor or Gumtree and we resold as they grew out of them.

Another vote for isla bikes

My nearly 6 year old just has a bike from decathlon (BTwin I think). It’s a bit heavy but not too bad. Initially we took the pedals off so she could use it as a balance bike and get used to it. After a couple of months we put the pedals back on (at her request) and she was off! if your kid is good on a balance bike already I would highly recommend doing this.

Lightness is the key like you say so it's always going to be fairly expensive. I go for Vitus, Isla etc. and then sell it on afterwards. In fact, if you are anywhere near the south coast, I have my DS's old one that I haven't got round to selling yet! It's a Vitus 20.

Both of mine had frog balance bikes, which were around £90- £100, then Islabikes, £250 from marketplace.

Frog bikes for both mine. Both bought second hand. There are dedicated groups on Facebook for the selling of these bikes. Usually can pick up a decent one for under £200.

Where are you based Op? I got mine from a lady in Hampshire for £90, it's old so VERY scratched and will need a service soon but I've sold both thr old ones for £20/£30 less than what I paid

Frog 20 inch, it was passed on from his cousin in brilliant nick and will go to his sister next. They are expensive because they are good! When i was 5/6 quite a lot of kids simply couldn't ride a bike because manage to coordinate such a heavy one is too difficult. Its the lightweight good quality bikes that have made it possible for so many 3 & 4 year olds to be zipping around on pedal bikes with no stabilisers.

Another vote for Islabikes - secondhand, shop around - absolutely worth it. We’ve got rid of every other type of cheaper bike we’ve had as they’re heavy and clunky.

Decathalon sells lighter kids bikes that aren’t as expensive.

We had a Woom 3 at that age - buy a secondhand one off EBay. We just sold ours or I’d link to it! Frog are also pretty nice bikes.

A Frog.
Excellent bikes and hold their value.

Mine had a second hand (eBay) Isla bike - 20 inch frame Cnoc I think was the model. Paid £200 - it's done two boys, been badly looked after by us - hurled in garage, left out in rain etc and I just sold it on Facebook Marketplace for £150!

Frog. 100% recommend.

Frog

She started with Islabike Rothan balance, then CNOC 14", Islabike CNOC 16" and now Islabike BEINN 20"

excellent bikes. Sold the Rothan and Cnoc 14. for more than I bought them. £20/£40 and £130/£180

Paid £175 for Cnoc 16, sold for £150.

Bought the BEINN 20 for £120

Another one for 2nd hand Frog bike.

Local tip shop sells bikes at £5. Loads a day ago and lots of choice. Children outgrown bikes quickly at that age.

We use Bike Club and have a Frog. Lovely and light. He learned to ride it with pedals at 4. If in doubt go smaller because a common mistake is to go too big which puts them off,and you can swap size as needed. There are usually sign up offers. We pay £5.25 a month. Saves the hassle of trying to find one second hand and resell etc.