- What were your first impressions when the bike arrived?
My first impression was that it looked like a really sturdy, well-built bike. The large tyres immediately stood out and made it look very cool and a bit different. Overall, it felt like a quality product, with a solid frame and good-quality components that made me think it would be a good buy.
- What did your child think when they first saw it?
My DC6 was absolutely thrilled when he first saw it. His reaction was an
immediate 'Wow, Daddy, look at that!' He loved the bright red colour, especially
because it reminded him of Daddy's car and he thought it looked very cool with big chunky tyres and couldn't wait to jump on and ride it.
- How did your child get on during their first ride?
Coming from a Frog 53, this bike was quite a step up in size, but he adapted to it
quickly. We checked that he could comfortably reach the brake levers and, despite him being at the smaller end of the recommended size range, he had no problems at all. Within minutes he was confidently shifting through the gears and getting used to the bike.
The only surprise was that the seat post doesn't have a quick-release clamp, so we needed an Allen key to make adjustments. Once everything was set up, though, he was off and riding confidently. The smaller front chainring and wide-range gearing made climbing hills much easier, and he was soon happily riding around the village and beyond.
- How easy was it for them to handle, steer and brake?
He found the bike very easy to ride and quickly felt comfortable on it. The handlebars and controls are well proportioned, and he could easily reach both the brake levers and gear shifters despite being one of the smaller riders suitable for this bike size.
The steering felt light and predictable, and within a very short time he was happily riding around with confidence.
- How has the bike performed on different types of rides or terrain?
Most of the riding has been on roads, around the village and jumping up and down curbs, but we've also taken it off-road a few times. Thanks to the large tyres, it coped really well with rougher surfaces and uneven ground.
Overall, the bike feels smooth, solid and capable. It seems more than ready to
handle anything a typical six-year-old is likely to throw at it.
- How has the bike fitted into your family routine?
We're a very bike-loving family. Our three-year-old rides a balance bike or gets
towed along on a tag-along, so cycling together is something we enjoy regularly.
This bike has been a great addition because the larger wheels and higher gearing allow us to go a little further and faster than before, giving more opportunities for family rides.
- Has your child wanted to ride the bike more often since getting it?
We received the bike during the summer holidays, and it's definitely been something he's been excited to use whenever he gets the chance. It's also the first brand-new bike he's ever owned, as we've previously only bought second-hand Frog bikes.
Being shiny, new and entirely his has made him incredibly proud to ride it. If
anything, the biggest adjustment has been seeing him travel much faster than we're used to!
- Has it encouraged more outdoor time or family rides together?
We're already an active family who enjoys cycling, but having a bike that my six-
year-old is genuinely excited about has certainly encouraged even more riding.
We would have loved to use it for the school run if it hadn't arrived during the
summer holidays, and it's something we fully intend to do once term starts again. It has definitely reinforced our enthusiasm for getting outdoors together as a family.
- Have there been any standout moments so far?
The biggest standout moment was undoubtedly when DS first saw the bike.
Seeing the shiny red paintwork, the chunky tyres and hearing him say 'Wow,
Daddy!' was brilliant.
Another memorable moment was when he mastered the gears and realised just how quickly he could ride. The look of excitement and confidence on his face was fantastic to see…stark contrast to the look on my face when I saw how fast my precious first born was hurtling down the hill!
- What has your child enjoyed most about the bike? Any favourite features,
colours or details?
The bright red paintwork has been his favourite feature from day one, especially
because it matches his daddy's race car. He also loves the big tyres, which give him the confidence to tackle bumps and rougher ground without worrying.
From a parent's perspective, I was impressed by the thoughtful gearing setup. The small front chainring combined with the large rear cassette makes climbing hills much easier for younger riders who are still building the strength in their legs.
The derailleur guard is another excellent feature, helping to protect the gears from the knocks and scrapes that inevitably come with children's bikes. The overall proportions also feel very well judged, with the brake levers and gear controls being easy for smaller hands to reach and use.
- Have friends or siblings commented on it?
My son's bright orange Frog 53 is already quite well known around the village, so people immediately noticed the shiny red Ridgeback when he rode it for the first time.
Friends were particularly impressed by the large tyres, and several of them
commented on how cool the bike looked. When asked what he thought about it, my son enthusiastically told them that he loved it.
- Would you recommend it to a friend?
With an RRP of around £430, it's certainly a significant purchase, but it feels about in line with other premium children';s bikes on the market.
The build quality suggests it should last well and retain good resale value if looked after properly. It compares favourably with bikes such as the Frog 67, which sits at a slightly higher price point.
If you're looking for a quality, well-designed children's bike that performs on par with other mid to premium brands, then I would definitely recommend.
- Did the website provide enough information to help guide you to the right
bike? Was anything missing?
The website is very helpful overall. One standout feature is the sizing tool, which
allows you to enter your child's age and height before recommending suitable bikes.
I particularly liked the visual indicator showing where your child sits within the size range, helping parents understand whether they're at the lower end, in the middle, or approaching the upper limit. That's a useful guide when considering how much use you'll get from the bike.
The comparison section between the MX, Dimension and Destiny ranges is useful, but a more detailed side-by-side comparison tool covering gearing, brakes, suspension options and available colours would make the buying process even easier.
Overall, though, it's an informative and user-friendly website that does a good job of helping parents choose the right bike for their child.
- How are you finding the overall durability? How does it compare to bikes
you've owned before? Would you consider buying Ridgeback again?
The bike feels robust, well engineered and built to a high standard. As a child, I rode a Raleigh Max, and it's remarkable to see how much children's bikes have evolved over the years. As an adult, I currently ride a Bianchi hybrid so I'm used to what a mid to premium bike feels like and whilst this stacks generally well, there's a little room for improvement.
The Shimano gearing is a definite plus and performs exactly as you'd expect but is let down a little by brakes and tyres being from lesser-known brands whereas with a Frog, albeit slightly more expensive, you'd get Tektro brakes and Kenda tyres but these small compromises don’t detract from the overall quality or ride experience.
Having owned second-hand Frog bikes in the past, I'd say the Ridgeback sits in a similar category in terms of quality and performance. It feels durable enough to
withstand years of use and should hold its value well if looked after.
Ridgeback wasn't previously a brand I had seriously considered, but after seeing
how much my six-year-old has enjoyed riding this bike, I would absolutely consider buying from them again in the future.
Conclusion
Overall, we've been genuinely impressed with the Ridgeback. From the moment it arrived, it gave the impression of being a well-made, high-quality bike, and that first impression has continued throughout our time using it. Most importantly, our six-year-old absolutely loves riding it. The combination of the eye-catching red
paintwork, stand out large tyres and easy-to-use gearing has made cycling even
more enjoyable for him and encouraged him to get outside and ride at every
opportunity.
Yes, there's a couple of small details we might change, such as the lack of a quick- release seat clamp, and high quality components that you’d get with a Frog, these are minor points in what is otherwise a very well-executed package at a slightly lower price to reflect those compromises.
For families looking for a premium children's bike that combines quality, durability and fun, the Ridgeback is a strong contender. It feels capable of handling everything from daily rides around the village to longer family adventures, and importantly, it's a bike that puts a huge smile on a child's face every time they ride it. That's perhaps the best endorsement any children's bike can receive. Thanks again for the testing opportunity!