Child size brakes, but not an Islabike? Retrofitting minature brakes?

[BeehavingBaby]

DD was lucky enough to have a CNOC 16 as a gift which has been great for over 2 years and will be used by her sisters, happy with the investment but a 20" Islabike is so far out of range ATM and also would be uncomfortable leaving such an expensive bike on the drive/ to one side at the park etc would really make trips out a bit tense I think.

Anyway, bought a super sturdy Ridgeback 20" from eBay in great nick but the brakes are huge. DD is a dainty 7 year old and they are so big in proportion to her hands as to be ridiculous, years away from being usable . She is basically sharing the CNOC 16" with her sister but looks a bit knees around her ears on it and they can't share for ever.

Holy grail probably but are there any cheaper bikes with small brakes I could look at. Up to £200 maybe, compared to £350 for the Islabike?

PS. Should have said, I know you can adjust the reach but even so, the plasit fitting/ casing section still leaves the brake lever too far from the handle.

plastic

I'd have thought you'd be able to pick up a Beinn 20 for under £200 on ebay. Specialized hotrock is a good bike - again, bigger and heavier than Islabikes, but I think that's typical of most brands, but I think, having seen friends' kids' bikes that the hotrock is lighter than the ridgeback. You should be able to get one for a decent price on eBay. Islabikes hold their value really well, but the waiting time to get money back with than one child is off putting!

You could try contacting Islabikes to ask about where they get their small brake levers from. This tactic hasn't worked in past for me, though.

Best bet, I think would be to trawl carboot sales for a small bike with small brake levers that you can cannabalise.

I have sourced the identical brakes to the islabike ones for £8.99, just need to get them put on now

ooh! WEll done, where did you get them from?

I can't remember but they're like these www.wiggle.co.uk/tektro-ts325a-junior-mtb-v-brake-levers/#BVRRWidgetID
One review says they're not the same as the islabike ones, but they look the same to me . Anyway, I have high hopes!