What bike? Also recommendations for bike shops with good children's selection in Midlands?

[dotty2]

I want to get both DDs new bikes. DD1 (just 5) has an old heavy bike which she can ride with stabilisers, but is terrible unconfident. So I want something light and easy for her so we can ditch the stabilisers. DD2 is nearly 3 and can't pedal so want to go either for a starter pedal bike or a balance bike for her. I've heard good things about Isla Bikes, though ideally would like something a bit cheaper. I'd really like to go somewhere we can try a selection. Any recommendations for shops, or products? We're in the East Midlands - Peterborough, Leicester, Lincoln, Nottingham all easy. Birmingham/Derby at a push.

Weight isn't likely to be the problem with losing stabilisers, it's height. The seat needs to be low enough down for her to have her bottom on seat and both feet flat on the ground. Then she will have the confidence to balance.

You could keep an eye on Ebay, Islabikes or other wooden balance bikes that come up on there would be good. Specialised make some terrific kids bikes, too, but about the same prices as Islabikes. What is your actual budget?

That's interesting - thank you. In terms of budget - I could stretch up to £300 for the two, but about £250 for both would be better. Probably makes sense to spend more on the one for DD1 as it will be passed down. I'm also really keen to try them out, rather than buy online, which is what's putting me off Islabikes. I'd quite like, however, not to go to a shop that sells anything with ridiculous tassles, teddy bears accessories etc as if she sees one of those, that's what she'll want, but if she doesn't know they exist...

Not answering your question really, as I don't know of any shops in East Midlands way, but we just got an Isla bike (online) for our petite 9 yr old DD, and are very very pleased with it. Well made, but also things like brakes and seat to handlebar ratio are really sorted out for children which make it comfortable and easy to ride. It is an investment, though, and we did have to buy an expensive lock for it (we are in London), but she does ride it a lot!

dd has had an isla from 4 years. when i called them they said a childs balance develops between 2 to 4 years. dd had had a balance bike and the guy there said i shouldnt get stabilisers but told me the correct way to support her,under the arms not with the handle bars. supported her for 6 or 7 runs up the drive and she was off.

Wow, Islabikes have gone up in price since we bought! (3 years ago).

It's a nuisance if they learn to ride without stabs too early, anyway.

Would make sense for OP to get a basic wooden balance bike for the 3yo (St. John St. Cycles often sells them for under 50 quid on Ebay) and a better quality bike for the 5yo to pass down later (like a Cnoc 16, maybe, or small Beinn 20). Gears are a waste of time for under 9yos, ime, but you probably can't avoid them unless you go for something like a lightweight BMX racing bike (which aren't that ideal for off-road).

My small-avg. height just-turned-5yo DS could just about ride our Beinn 20 (which I think is a "large") It was a bit of a stretch for him, and I don't intend him to take that bike full-time until he's almost 7yo. Must admit we tend to rely on basic cheap & cheerful bikes we've picked up at Carboots until as late an age as possible.

This site looks good, Ridgeback and GT cycles have good rep; you could phone dealers and ask if anyone stocks within a reasonable driving distance.

Wasn't there a very good cycle shop in Coalville? Catering for the Coalville Wheelers, iirc. Otherwise, DH recommends Sid Standard in Beeston: Tel. 0115 9256647, 35-37 Chilwell Road, Beeston, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, NG9 1EH.

Revolution Cairn & Skye are also decent, about 3 kg heavier than an Islabike, though, and their nearest shop to you is in Sheffield I guess.

This Giant and other bikes on Wiggle are probably good, but I'd research the weight of each bike carefully. An Islabike Beinn 20 comes in at 8.8kg, try to keep under 12kg, at least.

I'd phone shops and just ask what they stock!

PuzzleAddict (should that be BikeAddict) and everyone else - thank you very much for all that advice. Will check out those recommendations and try to phone around so we can do some shopping this weekend. Beeston would be handy.

Am not much of a cyclist myself, but DH was keen until a shoulder problem stopped him from cycling regularly - so I suspect he is going to get a lot of vicarious pleasure from bike shopping.

Specialised bikes come up a lot on ebay for ok prices (at least the slightly bigger ones do. (I also fell over backwards when looking at replacing dd's Islabike, & they are nearly as pricey 2nd hand). The weight didn't look too bad for the 24" wheel bikes, not sure how they compare on the smaller ones.

(For trying out, I found a friend of dd's who had the bike we were looking at, & then asked if we could try her on it.)

You might also find that shops have 2nd hand bikes - ours will take a decent childs' bike in part ex for a new one, then do them up & sell on.

Thanks, Takver. Specialised is a make I have my eye on. Found a shop in Nottingham with a reasonable selection (and I think tassle free) so going at the weekend. But will have a look on ebay first!