Isla Bikes Creig

dsmiff

Just stumbled across this on the Islabikes site, they never really had a decent mountain bike available until now. Air forks, hydraulic brakes 26lbs!

{edit - forgot link}
http://www.islabikes.co.uk/bike_pages/creig26.html

Putting kids on heavy full suspension bikes should be considered a form of child abuse, if your kids are struggling on climbs get them one of these, it will transform their riding.

The frame looks similar to the Carrera Kraken, I brought the ladies 14" version for my son (no longer available) and have subsequently upgraded the forks (Reba air), brakes, tyres and rear mech.



Kraken

Gilesme

Now that looks smart !

I was considering a Specialised 24" A1 for £300.

Worth the upgrade ?

dsmiff

We had the A1 before the Kraken.



I found he struggled on the longer rides with both the gear change and brakes as his hands became tired (black route - Llandegla), the forks did nothing, the twist grips are particularly difficult when wet - changed his to trigger shifters.

On the Isla, the air fork can be tuned to his weight so he can get full travel (this will be less fatiguing) and the brakes and gear change will be far easier - just make sure he can fit it.

Over a short ride or a sprint the 24" A1 is probably quicker - but if you are planning longer rides and want them to keep up with you, this Isla looks like a no-brainer (Ok a bit expensive but well worth the money if you want to enjoy your rides with the kids)

Mombee

Hi,

the Ridgeback MX-24 is worth a look - it's a well built frame and should be upgradeable. We bought one earlier this year as an alternative to the Isla 24" and we've been very impressed with it.

Cheers, Mombee.

vurted

Eldest son has the Luath 26, second son the trailer bike from them. His friend has the Beinn 24. All three great bikes for the money. Recommended by our local bike club as the best bike for the money.

simon_e

Only just seen this thread.

I had a quick spin around the yard on the Creig when I was at the shop. It's big for a kid's bike, large enough to fit someone 5' tall (I'm 5'3" and it felt only slightly smaller than my 16" Kona).

It felt nice, seems well specced and all the Islabikes are beautifully finished. Forks were soft under my 10st weight, so probably good for someone weighing quite a bit less.

dsmiff

Islabikes Craig has just been reviewed in this month's What MTB, 9/10 Gold Award (Mike Healey, I'm sure you will be pleased!)

For me it was about time someone made a decent kid's "proper" mountain bike.

Also reviewed where Specialized a1fs, Giant Brass 1, Kona Stuff 24 and the Scott Scale rc Jnr 24 from £300 (specialized) to £739 (Scott Scale).

I would have liked to see some sub £200 bikes for comparison as this is probably how much at lot of parents would be looking to pay.

apreading

They missed the Marin Bayview. Better than the Spec A1FS in almost every way except the front suspension. My kid still chose the Spec though because it looked more flashy (which was actually a negative in my opinion because it makes it more likely to be nicked).

Mike Healey

dsmiff wrote:

Islabikes Craig has just been reviewed in this month's What MTB, 9/10 Gold Award (Mike Healey, I'm sure you will be pleased!)

Am indeed - haven't seen it yet

For me it was about time someone made a decent kid's "proper" mountain bike.

Also reviewed where Specialized a1fs, Giant Brass 1, Kona Stuff 24 and the Scott Scale rc Jnr 24 from £300 (specialized) to £739 (Scott Scale).

I would have liked to see some sub £200 bikes for comparison as this is probably how much at lot of parents would be looking to pay.

From coaching viewpoint, much prefer kids to develop their skills on rigid bikes. If they start off on suspension, it is either cat's poo and doesn't move when they plonk their 3-4 stone on it, or it it is decent and forgives their mistakes. They then can go faster than their skill level allows, so the crash is at a higher speed and correspondlingly more painful.

For that purpose her 20"/24" bikes are ideal, an excellent compromise between quality and cost. They can also use them for nippers' circuit races and TTs as well as 'cross and mtb, without feeling to much of a disadvantage against the increasing no. of kids with really expensive bikes.

This isn't to say that 5+ year olds can't demonstrate extraordinary skill levels, but IMHO, they do better to go the route above, rather than straight to front sus - and never, never, never, never,full sus - please - they are almost universally crappy machines with poor components and frame materials unless you're prepared to spend silly money.