26" Bike brand for 11 yo (low use) - Help

[yoshiblue]

Looks like our DS is doing Bikeability in a few weeks and his bike is a 20" so definitely needs an upgrade. He hasn't really used it for years as he's preferred his scooters.

To date he's had a Decathlon balance bike, a Halfords Carrera/Apollo (I think) that was actually excellent and the 20" is a Decathlon panic bought the week before lockdown in 2020!

I'm expecting the bike can be used for odd trips to the park, maybe on a track ride but we won't be cycling on the road to school (likely to be commuting farther away).

Can you advise the best brand/type of bike to look at for this level of use as spending on Isla/Frog seems over the top for what he'd be using it for.

He wouldn't go far wrong with another Decathlon bike - they are usually very good value for money and not bad bikes.

Just beware that a 26" bike will be heavier than he is used to. 24" might be a possibility.

Depends on his size. 11 is a really difficult age as most 24" bikes will be grown out of rapidly, and a lot of 26" are too big to ride comfortably.

We eventually got a Voodoo Nzumbi Junior 26", really well specced, but not super cheap, probably worth it if it gets ridden weekly.

I'd go back to Decathlon.

Look at second hand Frog, Isla or Squish bikes (eg facebook marketplace). They hold their secondhand value if you look after them, so can resell in 2y when it's outgrown.

Thanks so much all!

Will look at Decathlon and we are quite close to Winstanley Bikes which I've seen a Ridgeback on offer and a Frog to take a look at sizes too.

Some ideas here with inputs of 11 year old and 26 inch wheel: Bike search results - Cycle Sprog

Kids who are racing are often on 700c / 29er wheels at age 11. These would likely last a bit longer, assuming they fit in the first place, which might be a consideration if you're thinking of buying new. If you're considering preloved, the chances are that you'll be able to sell on for similar as you paid, so less of an issue if it only fits for 6 months before a massive growth spurt.

This. They are much lighter than Halfords/decathlon bikes.

Was coming on to say this.

We got a good bike in Smyth's toys, for similar use to you describe. Second ds is not using it.

Sports direct online also worth a look as they sometimes have good deals on old stock.

We ended up with a Decathlon 26 inch bike I think it came in 3 colours.
DS had been loathed to move on from his 20 so 24 wasn't enough of a jump, not many 26 bikes about.
Lots of adult bikes were 27 and just too big.

We looked at various bikes inc Ridgeback but it was really needing altered to make it fit, change seat post and reduce the width of the handle bars.

Thanks, I need to have a look around at a few options.