Islabike Beinn - opinions please

[Plonker]

We are getting dd3 a balance bike for Christmas and have decided to get her a Islabike Rothan.
My dd2 (6yo) also wants a bike for Christmas and I have fallen in love with fancy getting her the Islabike Beinn20 large

I have searched mnet and although I can find loads and loads of happy Rothan customers, there are very few mentions of the bigger bikes.

Has anyone got one of the bigger bikes (especially the Beinn) for their dcs?
What do you think of it?
Most importantly, what does your dc think of it?

I know that they're very expensive, but I believe their re-sale value is high (??) so if this is true, I'm not too concerned about the cost. Plus dd2 loves her bike and would be out every day on it given half the chance so I know she'll get her money's worth

So, oh wise nmetters, do you like the bigger Islabikes?

Anyone?

watching this thread with interest...am about to buy one for ds (6 yo)...it's a lot of money...

We love them. ds1 had a cnoc 16 and now has the large Beinn 20 . He is nearly 8 and a very competent cyclist. They are so much lighter than other children's bikes. As long as I can afford them I'll buy them!
Don't know much about resale value - once they have been through ds1 and ds2 they will be very very well used!

Oh yes, a hell of a lot of money - I'm waiting to be convinced, but it's not looking like many people have experience of the bigger bikes, unfortunately.

Go on, you buy one first Soph ...then you can tell me all about it

My friend has at least one Isla bike for one of his kids and was raving about it to me. I'm sorry but I don't know the model, but it was definitely not a balance bike, as they are all old enough for proper bikes.
He was telling me that Islabikes themselves will buy them back second hand as well if you can't be bothered to sell them on yourself.
Also the Islabikes are always the first make recommended for kids that aren't quite big enough for adult bikes on a mountain bike forum I'm always on.

DD has a Beinn 20 small - she got it aged 5 going on 6, still rides it loads, but I think she'll have grown out of it by the spring (going on 8, but small for her age).
I would say it was definitely worth the money for us - when we got it we had a long ride to school (2 miles but straight uphill the whole way with 100m climb, and equally difficult having to brake hard most of the way down the hill to school). So it was well worth the money to have a lighter bike with easy brakes.
BTW has this thread come out all in bold for anyone else?

yes, weird boldness abounds!

i'm going for the large beinn for ds (turning 6 but tall for his age)

Yes mine's gone bold, but none of the other threads - v strange!
I should say ds1 is about 2cm off growing into the next size at nearly 8 (though we are keen to move him on as ds2 needs his Beinn 20). He's had it about 15 months.

We have the bike you have linked to. It is beautiful. It costs a packet but it is very well made and a proper bike. I like the brakes very much as the levers are scaled down to small hands.

If you want it for Christmas, ensure you get the order in within the nexct few weeks rather than waiting till Dec 23rd..!

yes, all in bold - very odd.

My dd will be 6.9 at Christmas but is quite small for her age and has an inside leg measurement of 50cm. The Beinn 20 large is suitable for an inside leg measurement of 51cm but I'm reckoning she'll grow a cm between now and Chrismas

elliot - how tall is your nearly 8yr old?
My dd, although a little smaller than average, will be nearly 7 when I get her the Beinn 20 large and I was hoping it would last her a good couple of years (till she's around 9) am I being overly ambitious there?

Thanks for the advice catinthehat2 - will get an order in pronto

I've reported this thread for bizarre boldness - I thought it was just me!

Crikey I have no idea how tall ds1 is! All I know is his inside leg is 2cm less than the minimum for the Beinn24. He's a smaller than average child though, always been about 20th centile for height.

If we didn't have ds2 catching up fast (he is nearly 6) I am sure he could stay on the Beinn 20 for another 6 months or so. I'm afraid they do grow quite fast though!

Ah ok, so maybe I'm being ambitious then. Good job I've got dd3 coming up behind her then so I can still justify getting it

Yes that's how I justify the expense - at least we get two lots of use from each bike! (poor old ds2 has never had a new bike...)

Ds was 9 a couple fo weeks ago and got an Islabike for Christmas the year before last. can't remember the particualr type though - expcet that he was just at the height for the size we got, so it was a stretch for him.

It's got 8 years and is great - this year he has really been enjoyign it.

8 gears, not 8 years

My (short) dd has the Beinn 20 small, and I reckon will be out of it just about by the time she's 8.

We've always had Islabikes for DD (4) and they are fantastic. I'm looking to get a Beinn for her fifth birthday. If anyone is looking to sell one, please let me know!

I know quite a few people have asked us if we will sell her balance bike and her CNOC, so there is definitely resale value.

When's her birthday queenofdenial? My dd's might be for sale early next year . . .

Both bikes ordered!!

Am very excited

Roll on Chrismtas

Takver, her birthday is towards the end of January (conception timed with post-Christmas sales obviously ). We're in Bristol and I would be very interested if you're looking to sell. The bike snob in me wants to get her this, even though it's pricey.

Takver, you suggested you might be looking to sell your Benin 20. Any plans? If so, please can I have first refusal?