Road bikes for kids

Super Domestique

Now I am about to take delivery of my first road bike, my son is asking about getting one in the not too distant future also.

He is nearly 11 and rides a 14" frame mtb usually. I have only seen 'expensive' bikes for kids and we are on a tight budget so are there any decent 'cheap' options?

I saw the brand Viking while on holiday last week (as mentioned in another thread also) and they have some basic cheap models but the junior version runs 24" wheels which are smaller than his current mtb ones (26").

Lillywhite

Have a word with this company who have a well deserved reputation for producing all types of kids bikes.

http://www.islabikes.co.uk/why_islabikes.html

Super Domestique

Thanks, unfortunately at £450 for the junior ones they are out of range right now.

Lillywhite

Super Domestique wrote:

Thanks, unfortunately at £450 for the junior ones they are out of range right now.

Agreed not cheap but if you were able to source something a lot cheaper then it would probably be mass produced gas tube bike that he wouldn't ride.

Have you tried searching for a second hand boys road bike?

Wooliferkins

The Islabikes really hold their value. My colleague was searching for one for his son, the second hand were only £50 or so cheaper than new. They are excellent kids bikes.

Lillywhite

Wooliferkins wrote:

They are excellent kids bikes.

That was the advice from the wise old sages on Veloriders and Isla Rowntree has a good cycling pedigree and decided to concentrate her efforts in the kids bikes market.

I wish she had been around when I brought my son his first road bike back in 1988 when he was just twelve years of age.

dsmiff

Any small frame ladies bike should do, try eBay for example:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2007-Specialized-Dolce-Ladies-Racing-Bike-44cm-/300445083858?cmd=ViewItem&pt=UK_Bikes_GL&hash=item45f3ec28d2

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Mens-boys-Specialized-Aliez-Sport-Racing-bike-bicycle-/270606291807?cmd=ViewItem&pt=UK_Bikes_GL&hash=item3f0164535f

With 650c wheels

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Trek-1000c-Race-bike-650c-wheelset-/180531838619?cmd=ViewItem&pt=UK_Bikes_GL&hash=item2a08893e9b


Otherwise you could get him a 650c road bike from Tesco’s or similar, but I have no idea on the quality of such things and never seen one in the flesh:

http://direct.tesco.com/q/R.203-5801.aspx

Bear in mind the re-sale value of Isla-bikes are quite high, I'm guessing the Tesco bikes and similar supermarket / catalogue bikes are not going to retain much value.

Super Domestique

Thanks guys. I appreciate the value and build of Islabikes, but my first road bike is with me tomorrow and I have saved for it and that is a humble Allez 16 so now you can see why budget is an option.

My son has shown such an interest in road bikes during my purchase process I thought it would be nice to look at getting one for him in the not too distant future.

I had only seen (at the cheaper end of the market) a Dawes which had 650 wheels and canti brakes or the Viking I mentioned which I found by chance after looking up an adult version on google having spotted 2 in 2 days while away last week. The Viking has 24" wheels. Both were sub £200 which I know won't be wonderful but it would be a start.

schweiz

300 quid?

http://www.bikeradar.com/news/article/h ... cial-26886

Super Domestique

Might be worth trying him on the smaller frame size I guess as I have heard in store they will often knock another 10% off if you 'buy it now' type thing.

pbt150

Tesco one is 13.5 kg for a 54 cm frame with 650c wheels? Jesus Christ!

Small people need bikes that they can actually ride, that one will probably be about 1/4 of his weight!

Lillywhite

pbt150 wrote:

Small people need bikes that they can actually ride, that one will probably be about 1/4 of his weight!

Exactly. That's why Isla Rowntree decided to design and build specific bikes for children.

hammerite

Kids road bikes generally don't cost any less than adults road bikes because for the price point they share the same components. Reasonable quality kids road bikes even feel heavy in comparison to an adults bike, because of the use of the same parts.

Am I right that Isla bikes also do a buy back sheme if you want to buy a biger model, probably why they hold their value.

If Isla would be too expensive keep an eye out for a second hand road bike which is a better make than the Viking brand.

mroli

http://www.winstanleysbikes.co.uk/produ ... Bike_2010#

Out of stock - but gives you an idea...

Shaun20

I think Isla bike do a buy back scheme when your child out grows the bike. Perhaps you could get in touch with them they may have some used bike available.