Islabike questions. First question - Am I Crazy?

[PavlovtheCat]

DD has a Rotham. She is good at it, enjoys using it, while expensive it is a generic colour and still in perfect condition, so DS will be using this in a year or so. DD is now ready for her next bike, aged 4.8. She will be getting this for her 5th birthday.

1. Am I crazy to spend £170 on the CNOC? Is it worth it, compared to the £60-80 I could spend on another bike? DS would be able to use it afterwards.

1. If I am crazy enough to spend £170 on the CNOC, would I buy CNOC14 or CNOC16? DD is petite, and in particular she has short legs, so I am thinking CNOC14. Is there any other difference to the two bikes?

1. DD really wants it in pink. Problem with this is that DS could use it when he is old enough, that is the plan, so would get it in red. She really really really wants a pink one and covets a princess one or similar whenever we see one. Would getting her a red one reduce her enjoyment, or would a pink one enhance her enjoyment? I could get her pink accessories for her. But if I got a pink bike I would not get an Islabike, as would need to get DS his own one.

I have a few months to decide!

Why don't you just get a normal bike for her? DS1 had one from Decathlon that we took the pedals off for a few weeks and now DS2 has it and learnt to ride it with pedals at age 3.5 so I don't see any advantage in a more expensive one.

could you get some accessories (basket, twirly bits) in pink?

Am watching with interest as we're in the same situation - love the Rothan, not sure about the added benefits of CNOC. Though I have two boys so that's in theory easier (though ds1's favourite colour is pink).

We are thinking of going over to Islabikes for a day trip to try them out, and I think they do roadshows over the spring/summer.

Good question and one that I'm pondering at the moment. Except DS would like a red bike so no worries on that score. Whether DD would want a red one is the unknown quantity.

Worth looking at ridgeback and one Of the other makes - probably better than the cheaper Raleigh ones but not as pricey as islabikes?

Though I would love another islabike - the rothan has been so good!

shame we can't do a day trip. we are in Devon!

Ridgeback 14" 18.5lbs £110
Islabike CNOC14 15.8lbs £170
Halfords barbie girl 14" bike 22.7lbs £90
Raleigh Monster 14" bike 22.0lbs £110

It's all about the weight! The Ridgeback does look like a good compromise.

Apusky - yes the weight is a big thing, we go camping a lot, and it all counts! And I am sure there will be a lot of times for a while to start with when we will be carrying it for a lot of our excursion!

The Rotham is v light indeed. The ridgeback looks good. I really really do not want to get her a barbie one please god no. pink - fine, barbie - not fine!

Does she like going fast? Can she be persuaded that a pink bike won't go anywhere near as fast cos it'll be heavier?

If you can honestly afford it I would get a red CNOC, pimp it to within an inch of its life with all things pink (and removable) for your DD and then hand it down to your DS later. I know Likeabike now do a very lightweight kids pedal bike. I suspect it's even more £££ but maybe more choice of unisex colours?

Stick to your guns re Barbie! My DD is not into that yet but does love pink. She knows my rule is no kids branding (eg Disney etc) on everyday food or functional items (such as bedding...or bikes!) But toys, books, games, DVDs - tolerated fine.

PS I don't have any experience of Islabikes but would love DD to have one - we can't stretch to it at the moment so I'm living vicariously through you, if that's OK!

sweetapril

Discussed it with DH and he really would prefer a neutral colour, so we can hand it down. I like the idea of saying it won't go as fast if pink! She does like to go fast. DH likes the look of the ridgeback ones too, so likely we will go for that one regardless of colour, they do an orange one which is neutral.

BUT, DD is very petite and DS is not, so I suspect DS will need a new one before she outgrows it. I think the resale value would be good on the ridgeback if we do get a pink one. The Rotham is a good resale value still.

I'm in a very similar position.

DD1 is 5 next month, Dd2 will be 3.

DD1 got a CNOC 14 for her 3rd birthday (with stabilisers - she was adament she wanted a pedal bike rather than a abalance bike ) and has been riding it without stabilisers since she turned 4. She's pretty tall though, one of the tallest in her class, and its too small for her now.

Looking at the islabike size chart she'd be ok on a CNOC 16 for a few years, although she could probably go straight to a BENIN 20, but at £200+ I'm not willing to do that. (plus I REALLY don't think she needs gears etc at the moment)

Colour isn't too much of an issue here. She knows that I will not allow the themed type bikes. (too heavy)

I love islabikes because they are so light and easy to ride, but am slightly resistant to paying £170.

The other one we're considering is a Dawes one.here which is also available in purple, and if you google it, you can get it for about £110 see here which at 7.5kg is slightly lighter than the islabike.

PS re 14 inch VS 16 ince, see the islabike size chart here You'll need to measure her inside leg

One of the features of the islabikes I really appreciate is the small brakes and lightness. I have sold my first two on for very good prices and am now on Benin20 for my 5 yo. Agree it is nuts though. I would go for cnoc16 if you possibly can to get more years out of it.

i would highly recommend the islabike. i have a cnoc 16 for my youngest that was handed down to him from my oldest when he was 4. As soon as they both got on it after riding the pedal-less likeabike, they were off (no stabilisers needed).
i bought the beinn 20 large for my oldest when he was 6.
When my son is 8 in the summer i will buy him another one, partly so my younger son can have his beinn 20 and ride a bike with gears.
The other good thing about them is that they are unisex, so when my daughter is old enough she can use them too.
They also have excellent resale value on ebay.
When it's near her 5th birthday, check her inside leg and height and give them a call, or if you are near enough, go there. They are very helpful on the phone (i live too far away to visit).
Where my sons have thrown the cnoc 16 on the ground (a lot), the plastic bits that hold the mudguards on keep breaking, but they always send me more for free, despite the bike being 3 years old.
if you look at reviews, islabikes always comes out top.