Looking for lightweight bike for 4 year old

Octopush1

Hi there,

I'm looking to buy a LIGHTWEIGHT bike for my 4 year old. He is very confident on his wooden push-along and so I think can handle 16" wheels. The lightweight feature is not just for him (although he can do trails of up to 4 miles on his push-along and we'd like to continue this) but also because I'm going to have to carry it up to our top floor flat while also carrying a baby.

This forum seems pretty keen on Islabikes. Any other suggestions/considerations? Anyone has experience with Dawes Blowfish, Raleigh Zero or something similar?

Thanks for your help!

Megan

McHattie

Another vote for Islabikes. Not cheap by any means, but the quality is good, and the weight really does matter, I think. I bought the largest bike I could for my son, and I'm hoping it will last four years, and then pass on to his sister.

It's just not the weight that matters in terms of making these bikes easy to live with. I went for puncture-resistant Schwalbe tyres and lightweight mudguards.

Good luck on the stairs.

robmanic1

Bought a Dawes Red Tail for my daughter a few years back, not sure if they're still available. Great first mtb though, proper gears and suspension fork that actually works! Lightweight alm frame too.

Mike Healey

Islabikes - no suspension at all, not needed at that age. Brakes perfectly proprotioned as is everything else.

Sorry if my constant Islabikes refrain is getting boring, but nothing else comes near at the price and nothing cheaper comes near the quality.

Santa got a fair few I's down the chimney, judging by the numbers showing them off on the last couple of Saturdays

Octopush1

Thanks all,

Really appreciate the comments. Islabike it's going to be I think!

Megan

gkerr4

they are good actually - I just got one for my 5yr old (ony turned 5 in dec) - a cnoc 16" - thw quality and attention to detail is unreal.

this is actually the second 16" bike my daughter has received after I bought her a Specialized Hotrock 16" for xmas - again a decent frame and wheels - all alloy construction and actually possibly a little lighter than the islabike - but the brakes were useless - my daughter simply couldn't stop herself and she lost all confidence in the bike - it was returned and we took a trip to wokverhampton to see the cnoc16 inbetween xmas and new year - only wish we had done that first!

lovely bike - the specialized is only £10 cheaper but leagues apart really. Little things like the bearings and headset are just top quality.

very happy with it

alibali65

Another vote for the Islabike. Bought our 3 year old a Cnoc 14 for christmas excellent quality and not pink with tassles.

watly biker

We have got a ridgeback 16" mountain bike for our daughter - it's been brilliant - alu frame, v brakes and nice wide bars - also think around £130 new (got ours 2nd hand)

Octopush1

Hi there,

Thought I would update with our outstanding Islabike success story. Bike arrived very quickly. Son got it for morning of birthday...and was riding in 10 mins. I'm very pleased you all persuaded me! He really loves it, it's balanced so nicely it's very easy to learn on and also to get going by himself.
Thanks!

ride_whenever

And just if anyone else ever comes across this thread, puky make some great childs bikes, not as nice as the islabikes, but very nice as well.

McHattie

Glad it all worked out, Octopush.

Octopush1

And now some nasty person has stolen it...very sad. It was a very important part of the family. Not sure if I can afford to replace with Islabike Beinn20. But then again doesn't look like there's anything as lightweight on the market for cheaper and baby 2 is due any day...

Meg