What bike for 7 year old ?

[crisscross]

My son needs a new bike, his present Action Man eBay special is k..nacked.

Most seem to be the standard ton weight suspension jobbies.

We are doing some longish ( for a seven year old) road rides and need something suitable without breaking the bank.

Ideally I'd love something second hand but don't know what to look out for.

Thanks

 

[wafflycat]

If it's in your price range - go for an Islabike

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

They are *proper* bikes.

 

[summerdays]

Seconding the Islabikes - they are not the cheapest, even second hand ... but they hold their value really well. Several of the advantages are:

Light
Designed for small kids (not just a scaled down adults bike)
Designed for growth (so sold with a short stem that can be changed for a longer one).
And the sizing is different... my then 8 year old who isn't that big was able to move onto a 24" bike whereas on the more normal kids bikes he was still definitely on 20" wheels so that helps on the longer trips

 

[crisscross]

Thanks for the replies, but the Islabikes are way outside our budget.

 

[wafflycat]

Keep an eye on ebay - sometimes they come up there secondhand.

 

[jig-sore]

go to your local tip (recycling centre), you really can get some bargains there.

got this for my daughter... £12

 

[Muddyfox]

When Jake was that age i bought him a Giant Bicycle which was very well built and he loved riding it, 8 years on and my God Daughter has it

Simon

 

[summerdays]

Yep that's what my son's previous bike was.

 

[crisscross]

Have checked ebay for the islabikes but they are pretty rare.

My brother has them for his children and swears by them.

I don't want to spend too much as he is pretty useless with possesions unlike his sis. who polishes her bike and looks after things well.

Our local tip won't let us bring things home unfortunately!

I like the giants and treks so still looking.

 

[gouldina]

If it's in your price range - go for an Islabike

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

They are *proper* bikes.

They look ace but are rather expensive. I can't understand why kids bikes are so goddamn heavy these days. Perhaps they should start using thinner steel tubing again to get the price and weight down?

 

[Tynan]

almost anything at that age if they're just trundling around, not like it has to do serious miles or last them for too long, all I'd avoid is suspension, I bought my five year old a rather nasty Apollo offa ebay, it's electric blue and he loves it

 

[crisscross]

My problem with spending so much on a childs bike is that they will outgrow it so quickly.

My adult bike has lasted me 10 years and has another 10 left in it.

His will be outgrown in 3 or 4, and not in particularly good nick after he has finished having fun on it.

 

[Hacienda71]

How about one of these http://www.decathlon.co.uk/EN/racing-boy-iii-88609431/ I am thinking of getting one for my son next year Decathlon seem to have a fairly good rep.

 

[crisscross]

I wish there was athanks button on cc like other forums, but can't see one so thanks everyone for the useful advice.

I'll keep looking.

Unfortunately my son seems to fit in between the 20 and the 24 inch size bikes.

Maybe I will get a cheapie this year and wait another year to get a "proper" bike for him.

 

[summerdays]

My problem with spending so much on a childs bike is that they will outgrow it so quickly.

My adult bike has lasted me 10 years and has another 10 left in it.

His will be outgrown in 3 or 4, and not in particularly good nick after he has finished having fun on it.

The thing about the Islabikes is that from what I have heard you can definitely make at least half the price on resale (assuming reasonable condition), and I heard of one person on here who actually sold his for more than he paid as the prices had gone up in between buying and selling. I guess eventually other bike manufacturers might eventually cotton on - they are certainly becoming more popular.... though still not common.