Any good? Seem good value on CRC but not convinced (not sure why). Anyone got any experience of them?

Got one for my nephew, a rigid jobbie. Just as good as the more expensive offerings from specialised, trek et al, but not as good as the vastly more expensive Islabike stuff. If money's no object, get Islabike, otherwise Dawes stuff is great value. I understand that Dawes provide branded bikes for other makes

My son has one I got from Evans about 4 years ago. He got on alright with it (24" wheel) as his weight relative to the bike made up for the low specification parts and 30lb+ weight.

I suspect the ones you are looking at are elastomer fork, threaded steerer, whatnot BB etc. If you have spares most things can be sorted except the freehub without too much rebuilding. Definately a better build than the average supermarket kids bike and the spec on the big names kids bikes is not much better (Specialized Hardrock 24" comes to mind).

We've got Dawes Phantoms at work, the best kids MTB we have, and great value. To do better I reckon you'd have to go to Islabike silly money.

APF

Definately a better build than the average supermarket kids bike

would second that – sorted a bent rear mech on oldest young one's friends bike earlier in week – a dawes – and for money and for riding old railways/up and down outside house a well spec'd tidy bike that will do the job – my youngest (who is v small for age) has a spec' hard rock 20" and she blasts that on pump track and other rough stuff – i'd say another notch up – similar/close components maybe but a more solid build

edit yes i'd buy one if lanes/bike trails what want for and it will do business in my opinion

Used to sell quite a few of them. Not a bad bike at all compared to what else is out there for the money. Loads better than the Raleigh etc. they were along side without the expense of the Giant or Specialized kids stuff.

Just looking for a bike for my "nearly 6" nephew too.

The Dawes are looaaads cheaper at bikes 2U than CRC.

I was going to get the Rocket but might be about to go for this baby insteadhttp://www.bikes2udirect.com/B3300.html

My eldest lad has a Dawes Rocket (20inch wheels) and it's been OK. I have just upgraded him to a 24 inch wheel bike and found a good deal on a GT Chucker 24 on ebay @£175 which he absolutely loves and isn't too heavy.

The younger lad has a Ridgeback and comparing that with the Dawes I'd say the Ridgeback is a better quality bike. The paint has lasted better, fewer bits have rusted when it's inevitabilty been left out in the rain and it looks better too.

Hi,

I looked at Dawes for our kids – I'm a big Dawes fan having an Edge X cross bike.

However, although the frames were child size, the components were not, i.e. little fingers would struggle with brakes & gears.

We therefore went for two Islabikes (£800 for the two). I can't recommend them highly enough. Our kids cycling has really come on since we bought them.