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.

We just got a cheap halfords one and it was fine. I can't see the point of spending loads, unless you do long bike rides all the time.

There are Facebook groups for frog, isla, squish so if you’re able to travel you will definitely find one reasonably nearby unless you are really remote, they are advertised daily. This will not be too much more than a new but heavy bike, but will be better value overall as you’ll be able to sell it for the same price as you bought it for.

Ds had a Ridgeback at that age, once he outgrew it we sold it for 60% of the price we paid within 24hrs of posting it.

2nd hand Isla bike he learned really quick with that, it was so nice and light. Had a heavy clunky one before that.

I strongly recommend Carrera Cosmos. DS is on his second already - he learned on the 14", moved up to the 16" one a bit after he turned 5 and is still using it now at 6.

It's super lightweight, comparable to the likes of Isla and Frog, half the price if you buy it new and much easier to find cheap on marketplace - if I remember correctly we paid £35 for the first and £45 for the 2nd bike.

Have a look out for the Wiggins bikes. They are fairly light, excellent quality but nowhere near the price of Isla bikes

https://ebay.us/m/SCdYqY

This op. This item from this exact seller. We bought this for ds3 when he was 6. It was hands down the best money we've ever spent.

£125. Weighs 9kg. I spent hours searching and I could find any bikes that lightweight unless you spent a fortune, nowhere near in fact. Ds used to pick it off the floor entirely and carry it up slopes at the park. Delivery, communication, build quality were all excellent. Absolutely fabulous item.

I disagree with anyone that says 'oh just get a cheap one, they grow so quickly'. A £50 bike from Argos is going to be made of steel and weigh a tonne. It often just puts them off riding altogether.

Frog

From Ebay after realising they just chuck them down as they play and have a laugh... or at least my 3 do.

I bought a second hand islabike beinn 20” for my ds1 when he was just turning 6. He used it for nearly 4 years before handing it down to ds2 who’s now 7. I got it from gumtree I think for around £120 which was a bargain tbh. I reckon ds2 will get around 3 years use from it too. Amazing lightweight bikes that are easy for small kids to ride and we will definitely get our money’s worth.

My ds1 is 10 and now using a carerra bike I got for £30 from Facebook marketplace so you don’t necessarily have to continue spending a lot when they get older. But lightweight bikes are so good for small kids.

Woom 3 - it’s great!! Might need a Woom 4 depending on how tall your 6yo is though

Second hand islabike, which the FB seller agreed to ship (most of them don't, soni was lucky). Its a bit too big tbh so shes more nervous, but can ride this one easier - learnt in a few minutes

Have a Google for local bike charities... For example, one near me takes in old, discarded or unwanted bikes, services them and sells them at affordable prices, all with the aim of encouraging cycling, especially for kids 🚴 They do a roaring trade 😀