Have to buy a (Islabike?) bike for DD (5) online, not in UK so can't try it out- any advice?

[EmGee]

She currently has a PUKY balance bike (not the smallest model, the next one up, LR1 I think).

Am wondering about an Islabike or Ridgeway (or other such brand much- mentioned on here!). It will be passed on to DD2 so I am prepared to splash some cash as it will no doubt be well used.

BUT we live abroad and will have it delivered in time for Christmas (it is a pressie from family).

DD is small (just over 100 cm, prob about 102/3) and petite (probably no more than 16kg). She is all for pink pompoms, tassels and the like so I am reluctant to take her into a shop here (e.g. Decathlon) as she has already expressed a favourable opinion on a Barbie bike. Do not want tears on Christmas morning when said bike is nowhere to be seen!

Any recommendations would be appreciated. Not a cat in hell's chance of visiting the Islabike showroom - maybe I can ring and get any help over the phone?

Or have just seen the Puky Z2 - although do not want stabilisers

I'm afraid Islabike don't deliver abroad, so unless you can get it delivered to your family, and then they send it on, its out.

If you can do that, then measure her inside leg and height, the Islabike chart on their website is very accurate. A Cnoc14 would prob be right - min height approx 98cm, inside leg 38-48cm.

We've just bought Ds's 3rd Islabike, and it was delivered in 4 days. Its going to be a long wait till Christmas for him as we did have a fitting appointment

Thanks Dibbler. Sorry wasn't clear in my first post - we are back in the UK for the Christmas holidays so no problem collecting bike then.

Measuring guide looks easy to do - will do that tomorrow.

If anyone has any tips on Puky Z2, please pass on!

We have bought 2 islabikes online, with no fitting, just on height and inside leg.
I was when DS1's new bike arrived last week, it looked huge, but he has jumped on it, and been off and away.
DS2 (3.5) is around the 100cm / 16kg mark. He has just inhered the CNOC14. I wouldn't want bigger for him.
Very quick delivery atm - under a week.

DS is quite petite - he's had a cnoc 14 for the last year. The measuring guide on the islabike website is really useful. He's just outgrown it so will get a beinn 20 (small) at Christmas. We did try out a ridgeback when he got huscn

Gah, sorry. Was trying to say, we looked at a ridgeback but it felt much heavier.

Interesting Addicted - that's my fear that if I get the bigger one, DD will go nowhere near it. It may be worth getting the cnoc 14 even if it doesn't last her as long as it could do. I don't see the point of getting the bigger one if she is going to be frightened to get on it, and it just sits in the garage.

Mmmmm - food for thought! (She is not the most confident or sportiest of kids)

Honestly, measure the inside of her legs, and see what bioke it brings up. If she scrapes into the CNOC16, go for it, but if she is under the min inside leg, go for the 14.
We have skipped the CNOC16, and gone from the 14 to a small 20 benin - just what WhatWouldTheDoctorDo has done.
Tho the CNOC was on the very small size, and the benin is on the large size when we switched.

When we were at Islabikes the other week, they told us that the bikes are designed such that a child should be able to skip a model, just as AddictedtoSugar says.

If she isn't confident, I'd go for the Cnoc14 esp as you have dd2 to pass it on to. Personally I think lots of children are put off by being bought bikes they only just squeak onto and then the brakes/bars/reach are all too big, not to mention the extra weight.

Our children love their islabikes, bought on eBay

So definitely the Cnoc 14 - although she is 5 next month, she has an inside leg of 39cm and 101cm in height.
Now just have to make the decision!

EmGee - DS was already 5 when we got the cnoc 14.

Good to know re the 20 being big in comparison!

DS2 had the Cnoc16 for his 5th birthday. He is now seven and needs moving up but it has lasted him well. The biggest benefit is that the bike is so light. it makes a massive difference.

We'll get him the benin for his birthday.

DS-6.5yo is petite for age & just outgrew a Cnoc 16. Double check that won't do?

OK. If I've managed it, our small frame BENIN20, and the CNOC14 (old style - they seem to have changed the chain system) are on a pic together on my profile, which I hope I've made public.
Both the Benin and the CNOC are on their smallest settings (except the handlebars of the CNOC, which could go down about an inch, but I can't be bothered for the small amount of play they have in them).

Thanks for the pics addicted.

I'm going to give Islabikes a call tomorrow. Still dithering. (Not about the bike just the size!).

Thanks for all the responses and advice.

I'm fairly sure Islabikes will say CNOC14 from those sizes.
So I'd guess your choice is colour!

Just ordered from Islabikes on the phone - the guy said definitely the Cnoc14 (said she will struggle to put her feet flat on the ground as it is). He asked how I heard about the company - to which I replied Mumsnet :)

I got it in pink - but I will need to accessorise it with some pink pompoms/glittery tassels.

I will update once she's on board - hopefully she will enjoy a couple of years on it!

Thanks again everyone

Just an update:

Delighted with the Islabike. DD managed to pedal a few metres by herself on the first attempt and by the third was cycling around quite confidently! We had the seat on the lowest setting and it is now too low but I think it was definitely the right thing to get the Cnoc 14 rather than the 16. For a more daredevil child, I would probably have gone for the bigger size.

Great bike! Well worth the money :)

Has anyone taken the pedals off their islabike ?

Have a Cnoc14 for DS but pedalling is a step too far.
Single mum.... Got tools but not sure what I need.

Thanks

Well done little EmGee!

LL0015 - it is very easy. The pedals unscrew from the cranks using a spanner - it fits between the pedal and the crank. The pedal on the right hand side (the side with the chain) unscrews anticlockwise (the normal way) and the left hand pedal unscrews clockwise.

You might need to use a bit of force to get started. If you struggle you could probably find a you tube video that demonstrates how. Good luck! :)

Thank you so much Mile high.