Recommend a bike for a four year old

[L2XE]

Hi all,

My daughter has out grown her current bike and I'm looking to get her a new one. She's always struggled to pedal it and as a result has never enjoyed riding, I'm convinced that it's because of the sheer weight of it. The bike was a present from her grandparents from Halfords, bought because it was pretty, never mind that it's made of lead filled cast iron.
I want to get her something lighter, built for her to ride rather than looking girly. I'm not willing to pay Isla money just yet, not until I know a bike is something she'll want to use regularly.
I'd say budget is around £150 ish.

 

[jefmcg]

https://www.cyclechat.net/forums/family-and-recreational-cycling.59/

(sorry I can't be more helpful)

 

[vickster]

Second hand Isla?
Frog seem to be well regarded
Also ridgeback
Decathlon adult bikes fare well so perhaps go to a store and check out their kids range?

 

[L2XE]

https://www.cyclechat.net/forums/family-and-recreational-cycling.59/

(sorry I can't be more helpful)

No need to be sorry that's a great resource. Thanks

 

[seraphina]

We were quite impressed with the Pinnacle/Evans own brand child bikes when we were looking. Bought an Islabike in the end -it will have to do siblings so will work out okay. We wrote off Ridgeback as they had very gendered designs. Would have bought a Frog bike if I could have seen a few more in the flesh.

 

[DCLane]

Second hand Isla?
Frog seem to be well regarded
Also ridgeback
Decathlon adult bikes fare well so perhaps go to a store and check out their kids range?

+1 to the first three. My youngest's had three different Ridgeback MX bikes and they're great.
He's got an Islabike now and several children in his bike club have Frog bikes.

He started out on road bikes with a cheap Decathlon which was OK but very heavy.

 

[L2XE]

Thanks everyone. I'm leaning towards a ridgeback as its about the only one I'll be able to go and have a look at and I can get 20% off at Evans through work. Looks like all the ridgeback kids bikes have aluminium frames, I just wish there wasn't so much pink. At least there won't be a simpering Disney Princess on it though

 

[marknotgeorge]

Cuda bikes are okay for the money - my 11-year-old's happy with hers and that was second-hand. Although there are girl's and boy's bikes, the bikes themselves are equivalent, and the boy's bikes don't look too boyish.

 

[rideswithmoobs]

+1 Isla, that's what my boy has

 

[User32269]

My 4 year old loves her Ridgeback Melody. I rescued it from a grotty pub cellar last year. It's decent quality for a kids bike, nice and rugged.

 

[YahudaMoon]

I was in Edinburgh Bike Co Op at the weekend, the Frog bikes look really well made and the paint work was excellent, (I hate cheap paintwork on bikes)

I'll be getting a Frog bike for my 6 year old in August

I just hope he doesn't throw in on the floor as he does now with his cheap Halfords jobbie

 

[YahudaMoon]

DP