Bikes for a 5 year old - when and what?

[snickersnack]

Dd is 5.5 ? she?s nearly at the point of being able to ride her bike without stabilisers. She spent the weekend with my parents (took her bike) and my dad rang me after to say that he thinks her current bike is too small and too heavy for her. He taught me and all my siblings to ride a bike, plus all the neighbours? children so he knows what he?s talking about.

Question is, what bike? She?s about 105cm tall, I think ? not particularly tall for her age. I really want something light, and if it?s going to last her a few years I don?t mind spending a decent amount on it. Her current one is disgustingly pink and sparkly ? I don?t think that?s necessary now. I was looking at Isla bikes, but they do seem quite pricey ? are there equally good alternatives.

One other thought - dh is of the opinion we should just buy her a bike now ? we do a lot of cycling, or rather we used to until she grew out of her bike seat. It would be great to have her cycling properly ? it?s so hard on stabilisers as the pavements round our way are awful and she keeps getting stuck. Her birthday is in February so she?d have to wait ages if we gave it to her for Christmas or birthday.

I sort of agree, but feel a bit mean ? ds got a bike for his birthday (3rd) a couple of months ago. But also I think (puritan upbringing showing through here) that big things like this should be presents rather than just things you get for the sake of it. Anyhow, she?s a darling and not at all spoiled so I?m not too worried, but thoughts would be very welcome.

Puky, Specialised, Dawes, Raleigh and Ridgeback are alternate brands to look at (off the top of my head). Bike Radar has many reviews that might help you.

Does she really go out on the road with you? Most kid bikes are just toys, let's face it.

She could ride the Isla Cnoc 16, but do you really want to spend that much money on a bike she'll throw on the muddy ground and might get nicked?

Birthday gift or not, you asked. Bikes are utility items in our household so never for birthday/Xmas, but always when they need them. DC have 3 Isla bikes and I am likely to buy another next year, I wish there were a whole raft of obvious equal-quality comparable price competitors!

I agree, is she really likely to do a lot of cycling with you?

It's tricky with the road at this age IME.

I have just spent the morning pootling around on bikes with my 3, mainly just me and DS1 but he is 11 and confident on the road.

DS2 is 7 and stays on the pavement. It makes it rather a long trip - unless you want to load up the car and head for a cycle track (bit of a palaver for us getting 5 bikes in the car!)

I would just go to a good bike shop and see what they have in her size. Agree it need not be pink in fact if you have younger DS you could do with sthg neutral (not easy - I speak from experience here! DD has alwyas had boy's bikes in blue and silver).

A Raleigh or similar should cost about £100 for a fixed speed or maybe 5 gears bike (prob fixed speed for her size tho - 16 inch frame?)

Meant to add, bikes here are usually a Chrissie or b/day pressie; DH pointed out that it's not fair, as DS1 always has a new one and thus "uses up" a present; OTOH he always gets a new one while DS2 has a hand-on, sometimes to the power of 2

But we get them when needed and then say "that's yr big Christmas present". DS1's bike cost almost £200!

Thanks

Just to clarify, no, she wouldn't go on the road, she'd be on the pavement. It's never been very successful with stabilisers - because the pavements have been constantly patched up, and have tree roots sticking out everywhere, it's really hard for her to make any progress and she's come off many times. I think she'd find it much easier on two wheels. But the current bike is just too small and too heavy for her - she's so nearly there but is really struggling. Plus we'd like to get a bike rack for the car so we could take the bikes out for the day - that's some way off, but she's not going to do that until she's a bit better.

The other thing we though we might do is get a tailgator attachment thing so we can pull her along behind us.

I do like the idea of bikes as a utility item - poor ds has been slightly shortchanged there, but he won't care.

The Isla bikes do look amazing - she'll only be cycling with us, and we have locks so I'm not worried about it being stolen, and I don't care about mud. Think that's probably the way to go.

It's probably worthwhile to check what's in local shops, see what the lightest weight bike is you could get that fits her. Then compare to Isla or Puky or Specialised (online), for both weight/size/reputation.

We have a tailgator for DS2, they are fab. He can cycle along by himself until he gets tired (or DS1 gets impatient waiting for him to catch up) and then hitch him up to the back of DH's bike.

We take them on (quiet) roads and cycle paths. DS1 is nearly 8, DS2 is 6 (so is usually on a tailgator if we are on a road) and DD is 4 (and in a bike seat on the back of my bike). We cycle with DH and DS2 in front, DS1 in the middle and me and DD at the back. It is perfectly safe.