CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Questions/Support/Help

Best bike for a five year old

(6 posts)
  • Started 14 years ago by Greenroofer
  • Latest reply from SRD
  • This topic is resolved

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  1. Greenroofer
    Member

    Up to now my four year old daughter has been riding a Puky balance bike. She's now migrated to a bike that we found in a charity shop for £10, which she has ridden four times with great glee. Her long practice on a balance bike meant that she's made the transition to actual two-wheeled cycling very easily.

    HOWEVER the bike we got from the charity shop has proved to be one of the least bicyle-shaped BSO's I have ever seen. It's got no freewheel, solid tyres, plastic hubs and rims, one brake, and tiny wheels and it weighs a ton. It's appalling, and I'm embarrassed to be seen with it on this forum. I'm worried that, as soon as she gets over the initial euphoria of learning to ride a bike, she'll tire of the experience because her steed is such rubbish. It's also pink and has Barbie written on it, so has got to go for that reason alone.

    So I'd like to get her a proper bike for her birthday that she's going to enjoy riding for the next few years. I'd then like to pass it on to her younger brother, who's currently 9 months old. Given that I expect to get 8 years use out of it, I'm quite happy to buy new, and spend up to about £150-200.

    Anyone got any tips or suggestions? Obviously recommended makes and models would be great, but it would also be good to know if there any lessons you learned the hard way about the best bike for your little ones (if you have any!).

    Posted 14 years ago #

  2. chdot
    Admin

    I'm a bit surprised you haven't had lots of replies already.

    Suppose it is a holiday weekend (for some - "The Association of the Directors of Education in Scotland (ADES), admitted headteachers may have to send children home if they didn't have enough staff."!!)

    Maybe people on here have no/younger/older children.

    I suppose it partly depends how much it has to be a surprise. Children (and adults...) are quite keen on colour/looks.

    I think that buying new and relying on getting "8 years use out of it" is maybe false economy/optimistic.

    Obviously any bike should last 8 years, if looked after, (and not ridden many miles) but might not adequately match the growing patterns of two children.

    Correct size is crucial for young children - definitely not "she'll grow into it".

    You should get quite a lot of change from "£150-200". Ridgeback, Specialized and Raleigh do ranges of bikes that should start small enough.

    You've already bought secondhand so don't forget that The Bike Station sells children's bikes Friday 1030 - 1630.

    Posted 14 years ago #

  3. SRD
    Moderator

    Have no experience (yet) with big bikes, although mine wants a purple one with a seat on back for her doll! Hopefully that means we can avoid b-a-r-b-i-e (these things have to be spelled out)

    Have been somewhat appalled by the prices of Ridgebacks etc for little kids. I suspect we'll go second-hand, but if anyone has good experiences with getting a good new one, do let us know.

    And don't forget, Polwarth's Nearly New sale is this Saturday 11-1 and there's likely to be some kids bikes there. (we're looking for a scooter...hopefully without b-a-r-b-i-e on it)

    Posted 14 years ago #

  4. recombodna
    Member

    I just got a Ridgeback MX20 for my 7 year old girl. It's the real deal a proper bike I'm impressed. Cost me £20 from gumtree and replaced the barbie pink bike we got at the bike station. the mx20 sells for £199 at the EBC. It's probably a bit big for a 4 year old but they do a ridgeback melody for £120.Keep a close eye on the old gumtree though. many bargains to be had.

    Posted 14 years ago #

  5. Greenroofer
    Member

    A week or so back we took delivery of a Ridgeback MX14. It was actually quite tricky to find one the right size: most proper kids bikes seem to have 16" wheels, which are a little big for her still. Ridgeback were one of the few I found that have a sensible 14" wheel model that wasn't too silly looking. It wasn't the cheapest, but it wasn't ludicrously pricey either.

    First impressions are very positive. It's nicely put together and very solid - its frame tubes are fatter than the ones on my bike (note sure this is a good thing, mind).

    I have two complaints

    1. Obviously, it's a single speed, but that single gear seems quite high. Given that the bike in weighs nearly half a much as the rider, she struggles to get it up slopes. I think a lower gear would help her start smoothly too.
    2. The tyre valves are really hard to get a pump onto: the nozzle of my track pump won't fit between the spokes because the wheel is so tiny.

    Overall, it goes, it starts and it stops and she's very pleased with it. That's all I could ask, really.

    Posted 14 years ago #

  6. SRD
    Moderator

    Thanks for the update - had been wondering what you'd decided.

    Posted 14 years ago #

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