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Bikes for (tall) 10 year-olds

(17 posts)
  • Started 7 years ago by fimm
  • Latest reply from SRD
  • This topic is not resolved

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  1. fimm
    Member

    I had an email from my sister, asking me about bikes for her children:
    "I wanted to ask your advice on bikes for the girls. They need new bikes and we are thinking full-size ladies bike as they can ride quite easily on mine. The question is what to go for and how much to spend. <Her husband>'s view is go for a decent mountain bike (minimum around £350); and although Mum said she would contribute, this seems a lot. One issue for me, if the bike is expensive, is that you start worrying that it might be stolen. Any thoughts on an 'entry' level bike?

    "The girls" are 10 year old twins, but they are tall for their age, they wear clothes for 13 year olds! I don't think they are quite as tall as my Mum (who is 5 foot) yet but they are getting there.

    My thoughts are: not mountain bikes, and I should tell her about BSOs... but I have not done any research yet.

    So while I do some googling (things like Islabikes and Frog bikes are on the list), what are everyone else's thoughts? Especially on the value/fear of the bike being stolen aspect?

    Posted 7 years ago #

  2. LivM
    Member

    If a bike is too heavy and rubbish it will put people off cycling. Nearly-teen girls are probably very important to keep motivated. Something too cheap will wear out, break down, and generally not be a nice riding experience.

    Sorry but I don't have any specific advice on actual bikes to buy though!

    Posted 7 years ago #

  3. I were right about that saddle
    Member

    If they won't ride second hand bikes then it's hard to break the decent ride versus likely to be stolen thing.

    If they will accept pre-loved kit then swing by the Bike Station. £250 spent there will buy a hybrid bike that's practical and a pleasure to ride.

    Downside is that the stock is random, but smaller sizes can prevail at times as they sell slower.

    Posted 7 years ago #

  4. SRD
    Moderator

    Sounds like very similar in age/size to miniSRD, who rides an islabike luath 700S (she's a couple of inches shorter than me, and I'm a little over 5')

    afraid that £350 is not that pricey!

    Frog is probably the best bet. Also saw that the second hand bike place on Brougham was advertising a new line - spomething like 'splodge'? Claiming to be cheaper than frog or islabikes.

    Maybe try deacthlon for decent value but cheaper?

    Posted 7 years ago #

  5. crowriver
    Member

    Second hand bargains can be had on Islabikes and similar products from Giant, Specialized, Trek, Dawes, Ridgeback etc. Worth checking fleaBay, Gumtree and shops dealing in second hand bikes. Of course there may be niggling problems with any second hand bike, also usually no warranty.

    If it has to be new, eg. a Chrimbo pressie, then investing in decent locks also a good idea...

    Posted 7 years ago #

  6. urchaidh
    Member

    Had a similar request for advice on a bike for my 10yo nephew. Ended up suggesting a Pinnacle something-or-other from Evans. They're basic, light-ish kids bikes. If they have one in a suitable size, worth a look.

    Posted 7 years ago #

  7. fimm
    Member

    Thank you.
    They are not in Scotland, so Bike Station not an option.
    LivD those are my thoughts exactly.
    SRD Decathlon is a very good suggestion.

    Keep 'em coming! :-)

    Posted 7 years ago #

  8. neddie
    Member

    Second hand bargains can be had on Islabikes

    Really? Where?

    If you can even find a second-hand Islabike, you'll end up paying about £10 less than the new price for it.

    Posted 7 years ago #

  9. crowriver
    Member

    Not really. For example, Luath 24 new, £600. Second hand on fleaBay (But It Now) £325. A quick search on Gumtry reveals a brace of Islabikes in Edinburgh for around £200, including a Luath 26 (RRP £600).

    Posted 7 years ago #

  10. SRD
    Moderator

    There's a second hand islabike facebook group.

    I bought my Luath 700L for about £350 on ebay.

    Posted 7 years ago #

  11. chdot
    Admin

    “If you can even find a second-hand Islabike, you'll end up paying about £10 less than the new price for it.”

    Not quite (as others have posted).

    BUT Islabikes DO hold their value, so getting an s/h one and looking after it for a year or two should mean a re-sell at a relatively minimal ‘loss’.

    Posted 7 years ago #

  12. acsimpson
    Member

    If it's not a Christmas present or can be given late then 2nd hand prices likely to be lower in January as less buyers and more sellers.

    Posted 7 years ago #

  13. chdot
    Admin

    "2nd hand prices likely to be lower in January as less buyers and more sellers"

    Depends.

    I was looking on ebay in January and was surprised how few (small Islabikes) were for sale compared with December.

    I don't remember relative prices.

    Cheapest items tend to be 'pick up only' so 'bargains' can be geographically random!

    Posted 7 years ago #

  14. sallyhinch
    Member

    I gather from the Family Cycling FB group that there's now a thing called Bike Club where for a subscription you get a new or pre-loved Frog Bike which can be exchanged as your child grows. I'm not sure how they handle thefts, but I imagine there's some element of insurance involved

    Posted 7 years ago #

  15. biketrain
    Member

    @fimm PM sent.

    Posted 7 years ago #

  16. chrisfl
    Member

    @sallyhinch We're trying out the Bike Club, the recommend getting insurance as the renter is liable for a loss. The website is here: https://www.thebikeclub.co/

    Posted 7 years ago #

  17. SRD
    Moderator

    I notice that the bike coop has 10% off Frog 73 'for 12-14 years old'.

    Posted 7 years ago #

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