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Original poster

Bike for 7 year old

31 replies

herecomesthsun · 01/11/2015 10:50

My son needs a new bike - he is getting lots of other bits as well, but I think this would be a good main present.

Advice welcomed- he has learned to ride on his ridgeback but has outgrown it now, I am wondering about an islabike vs a Dawes.

He is nearly 8 and is 130cm tall with a 22" or 56cm inside leg.

OP posts:
00100001 · 01/11/2015 10:53

What's your budget?

BikeRunSki · 01/11/2015 11:02

At that height he'd need a 24" Islabike. I am involved in kids bike racing and coaching and am a big advocate of getting the best bike you can (new or second hand) - a light, well made, well maintained bike is a joy to ride; a heavy, clunky bike can out you off for life!

Islabikes are still considered to be the Rolls Royce of kids bikes, and they are indeed very good. There is a Facebook page for buying/selling preowned Islas.

Islabike are however, no longer unique in selling high quality kids bikes. Frog bikes are fairly new, slightly heavier for their size but around 30% cheaper and have the advantage of being sold through shops so you can try them out.

Decathlon own brand bikes are very good quality for money, if you don't chose the cheapest range.

Dawes (and Hoy, sold through Evans) seem not to be light enough for their price, or significantly cheaper for their weight and quality. They're not bad bikes, but you can get better for your money.

Original poster
herecomesthsun · 01/11/2015 11:06

Ah. We can be quite flexible, we could afford a new islabike really but DH would grouch about the cost, spending that much on a child's bike. I think he would prefer to pay £100-200 than £400 if we could, obviously.

We have a DD 4 years younger so it would be nice to get one we could pass to her.

I don't have much compunction about buying second hand nor on the other hand much vanity about labels, but would like DS (and DD) to have something that would last for years and they would enjoy.

Would also like something new ideally if big gift for Xmas as in away this is nicer and also would prefer not to have little problems with bits showing up! as has happened with a couple of my other 2nd hand bargains.

OP posts:
Original poster
herecomesthsun · 01/11/2015 11:07

wow thank you both for the fast replies!

OP posts:
Pranmasghost · 01/11/2015 11:07

Both my grandsons have Isla bikes. They are light and strong and hold their value well on eBay. The nearly 7 year old has the 24".

Bike for 7 year old
Pranmasghost · 01/11/2015 11:08

He was just 6 when this was taken (birthday).

Pranmasghost · 01/11/2015 11:09

Meant to say, that bike had already had 2 years use by his brother!

00100001 · 01/11/2015 11:12

Really you need to take him to a proper bike shops (not Halfords!) and get him measured up.

I theory he'd need 20" wheels.

This website (Two Wheeling Tots) is EXCELLENT for comparison of bikes and what to look for

LittleMissGreen · 01/11/2015 11:36

We just bought a frogbike for DS3 as he outgrew his ridgeback. It is really good. Lighter than his ridgeback was. He has ridden it on blue mountain bike routes. He can manage the gears. 100% recommend it!

Original poster
herecomesthsun · 01/11/2015 11:36

We took him to Cyclexperience locally, but not a lot of measuring went on, and they seemed to have quite a limited stock.

Any advice about which helmet by the way, he needs a new one of those too?

OP posts:
Dancergirl · 01/11/2015 11:48

Have a look at Frog bikes. They are really good lightweight bikes and cheaper than Isla. If you look at Frog's website they show their stockists. Independent shop is best.

BikeRunSki · 01/11/2015 16:07

Helmets you really should try on. But we were too tempted by the designs at Kiddimoto and bought dd's helmet online and the head cradle is adjustable. DS's Bell helmet is not and his head is nearly too big for it (but he has had it about 4 years). Basically, all helmets have to pass a standard, then the variation is in adjustability, weight and number of air holes. And design of course. As long as it's comfortable and from a bike shop, it should be ok.

Whereabouts in the country are you OP?

puffylovett · 01/11/2015 17:00

Islabikea arw fab, but I think it really depends on the type of biking you are likely to be doing. Great for parks, local walks etc.

We do a lot of mountain biking, and for ds2 (6) he wouldn't cope without any suspension at all - it makes his bike heavier, but he's learning to do drop offs and bunny hops etc so the suspension is really useful. He rides a specialised hot rock.

Original poster
herecomesthsun · 01/11/2015 17:32

We are Hampshire/Dorset borders

OP posts:
Buttercupsandaisies · 01/11/2015 19:04

I'd go and try one. Dd10 is 149cm and is on her tip toes on her new 24 inch bike so I'd say it's too big for a 130cm height. Though sizes can vary with frame e,g just been to halfords and dd was too big on their 24" bikes but just got a 24" in toys r us which must have a bigger frame as its almost too big for her!

Buttercupsandaisies · 01/11/2015 19:06

Personally I'd not get a dear one...dd is on her 5th bike now as they outgrow so quick at this age.

LittleMissGreen · 01/11/2015 20:07

Definitely try helmets on. I can recommend the Met helmet brand as DS2 fell off wearing one and landed on his head. The helmet was a mess but his head was fine.

Beth2511 · 01/11/2015 21:43

im assuming you live near poole if on hampshire/dorset border. the shopping centre has a good bike sshop!

trixymalixy · 01/11/2015 22:16

DS is getting a frog bike for Xmas. We were really impressed by them.

Hillfog · 01/11/2015 22:26

DS is 132cm (nearly 8) and on a 24" Trek that we bought off gumtree. His 20" Islabike has passed down to DD. We had Ridgeback 14" before that. Any of those brands we'd be happy to have again in future.

lavendersun · 02/11/2015 05:29

Family of cyclists here - we stuck with Ridgebacks for DD.

They are decent bikes. We did actually go as far as to go to the Isla shop once and still bought a Ridgeback!

She currently has a Dimension 24 which weighs the same as the equivalent
Isla once you add a rack and mudguards.

You definitely get more on resale on an Isla though.

myotherusernameisbetter · 02/11/2015 07:23

I got put off islabikes when I had two in my basket one day and as it was late decided to go to bed and order the next day. They put the price up £80 per bike. When I queried it with them, they said it was to do with a rise in the price of materials......like £80 since the day before?! So I took my business elsewhere. There are several on my street, always seem to need something fixed.

Flutterbutterfly · 02/11/2015 07:28

We have Isla bikes they are great. Children are on 20" .
I'd look at frog though as Isla is getting way too expensive and frogs are not that much heavier, but much cheaper.

lavendersun · 02/11/2015 07:36

Most of the bikes like Isla, Frog, Ridgeback weigh about the same in a 7-9 year old size ime, and we researched thoroughly.

Some weigh slightly less but have no rack and mudguards. Depends on what you do with it as to what you want on it.

Aluminium isn't always lighter than steel either, we have bought DD a steel tourer with 24 gears for when she outgrows the Dimension as that is what we do/have. More on it, 1lb lighter.

We will never race though, not our thing.

When we were children we just had any old bike, bought too big and lasted until it was too small. Didn't put either of us off at all. I think we get too hung up on the small stuff these days.

Any half decent build quality bike will be a thrill for a child.

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