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Original poster

Islabike versus Likeabike plus anyone done the Islabike trade in?

20 replies

SweetApril · 21/03/2009 18:01

Hi. Sorry, I know the whole balance bike thing has been done on here before but I'd be very grateful for a bit of help with our final decision. We have decided to get either a Likeabike Jumper or an Islabike Rothan for DD who is a little over 2yo. She is tall for her age although not the most co-ordinated child and we are hoping to encourage a little bit of co-ordination with a balance bike. We will be buying it in a couple of months to hopefully coincide with some decent weather.

So, what do you think? The Likeabike seems to last a bit longer (age 2-4 I think) although obviously you pay for it as it costs a lot more. The Islabike looks smaller but they offer the trade-in. Has anyone done that? What sort of deal did you get? Might I expect to get, say, 50% trade in on a bike in good condition or is that wishful thinking?

My heart says Islabike really because I've read so much on here about the quality of the bikes and the customer service. My head is veering towards Likeabike because it'll probably last her for a good while longer.

We are absurdly excited about getting DD her first bike and I'm really hoping she might be interested in actually riding the thing!

OP posts:
NellieTheEllie · 22/03/2009 17:24

Hi. My Ds has the Likeabike Jumper, and although it was an expensive purchase, it was worth every penny. Man, he loves that bike!
Personally I was a bit put off of the Islabike because of the brakes. I was worried that he would brake too much/hard and go over the handlebars.
The Jumper also has a steering restriction to prevent jack-knifing, which is great when they are learning. It also comes with 2 seat stems so you can put the longer one on when they get too tall.

dizzydixies · 22/03/2009 17:27

we just got an Islabike for DD2 and its fantastic

haven't done the trade in and probably won't as will use it for DD3 but can't recommend them enough

changer22 · 22/03/2009 17:30

I don't know anything about the Islabike but we have a Likeabike and both DC still fight over it and they are tall 5 and 6 year olds! We have definitely got our money out if it.

curlywurlycremeegg · 22/03/2009 17:37

Just bought alkeaabike jumper for DD and she loves it, she is four and quite small for her age. Wanted to but one for DS2 (2) but his inside leg is 10cm too short for one so ended up buying a Puky for him which is also a hit.

TweetleBeetle · 22/03/2009 17:54

We vgot the Islabike and DD1 loved it, DD2 is nowdesperate to go on it but is still a bit too small - maybe this summer.

I agree the customer service is fantastic. People who I've spoken to who've bought the Likeabike have also raved about them, I think it comes down to money really.

I personally don't like the look of the wooden likeabikes, owever they do an aluminium one too that looks like a bike rather than a wooden toy.

BTW our islabike Rothan doesn't have brakes, we bought it a couple of years ago, maybe they've added them.

Whichever one you get, I think the balance/trainer bikes are worth the money and great for kids

Original poster
SweetApril · 23/03/2009 10:40

Thanks, everyone. I still can't decide because they're clearly both great but at least it seems the LOs love their bikes!

OP posts:
thinkingaboutdrinking · 29/03/2009 22:11

we had a likeabike - was fantastic - my DS (3.1) has just graduated to a proper (ie pedal) bike and within 1 hour of having it could ride it alone with no stabilisers - his balance was brill!
However - the likeabike had 1 big drawback IMO - no brakes - my DS likes to go fast and that was one of the main reasons why we changed to new bike. If I could choose again I would have chosen a balance bike with a brake. He is also looknig too tall for the likeabike now (although he is quite tall) so I'm not sure it would have lasted till he was 4.
HTH

AnnasBananas · 30/03/2009 13:11

How about Puky? Cheaper than likeabike and lasted our daughter from 2 until 4 and is still in great condition/safe/sturdy and has now been handed down to the little sister.

prettybird · 30/03/2009 13:41

Ds had a Likeabike and loved it - after he saw the 2nd Harry Potter he started calling it his "flying bike" after the car in it and boy did he fly along on it. We used it to got to nursry and dh and I neded up having to use our own bikes as he was so fast. We definitelty noticed the lack of brakes - although hie did get good at using his feet to slow down.

He got it when he was 2.5, started using it when he was about 3 and really got into it when he was 3.5.

He got a bike when he was 4 and was riding without stabilisers very quiickly - although for a long time afterwards the likeabike was still his transport of choice as he could go so much faster.

He has now progressed on to a proper Islabike (which he was when he was 7). He loves the fact that it is a "proper" bike - and 'cos it ismuch ligher than hsi frist bike, is actually easier to ride.

Cusomter service was brilliant from Islabikes.

Not sure what the Rothan is like - the brakes on it sound highly desribalbe but as I say, ds did love his Likeabike and it has now become something of a family heirloom.

littlemisschatalot · 30/03/2009 16:28

we had both. one likeabike for one son and one rothan for other. nothing to pick between them. dont worry about it lasting too long, one year each was all they got before they were riding bikes with pedals...one at 2.7yrs the other at 3.6. we bought them islabikes.

Original poster
SweetApril · 30/03/2009 16:46

Ooh, more advice. Thanks.

littlemisschatalot did you trade the Rothan in when you bought the next stage Islabikes?

OP posts:
littlemisschatalot · 30/03/2009 20:03

no. we passed it to friends.i have emailed islabikes recently to see if she had any cnoc 16...2nd hand..she said there was a waiting list!!! the reson we had 2 different balance bikes was the jumper was passed from friends...

Umlellala · 30/03/2009 20:07

What the hell is this thread on about?

Puky?!

Umlellala · 30/03/2009 20:16

Oh my shitting christ

£150 for a kid's bike? without any pedals?

Fuck me.

Dd'll be getting one from Argos with tassels I think...

weepootle · 30/03/2009 20:17

We got dd1 the Likeabike Jumper when she was 2 and without a doubt it is the single best thing we ever bought her.

When she was 3 we got her an Islabike with pedals and she could ride it straight off. It is a lovely bike and Islabike are a great company.

I think if we'd known about the Islabikes, we'd have gone for that over the Likeabike. Brakes would definitely have been a plus for us.

Whichever one you go for I'm sure you won't go wrong.

Umlellala · 30/03/2009 20:18

(ps the Islabikes do look v nice. Am jealous really.)

joynovemberjoy · 31/03/2009 10:59

Thank you for this thread. I've been deliberating for a couple of months! I have finally made up my mind and have just ordered the Rothan. I have never come close to spending that much on a toy before (£112 with courier). Aaaarggh!

prettybird · 31/03/2009 11:23

Ds got his likeabyke from his grandparents (keen cyclists) as a Christmans present so cost was never a consideration!

Lidl occasionally do a similar one, so it is worth keeping an eye out.

Habbibu · 31/03/2009 11:28

Islabikes sell for about 3/4 of their original price on ebay, so in terms of value tehy stand up pretty well.

The brake is an optional extra which you don't have to buy.

The seat height is adjustable - dd is a tall 2.5 yo and is nowhere near the top setting yet.

I think they're great - I quailed at the price too, but have been so pleased we bought it.

AnnasBananas · 31/03/2009 13:24

Puky has brakes too!

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