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  • Islabike Creig or Beinn 26
  • andyfla
    Free Member

    Ok, the oldest offspring is now 7 – but very tall- enjoying his biking and is due a new bike, I am looking at a new islabike, but do I go for a new Creig or a Beinn ? Not sure if the discs and front shock are worth the cost or the extra weight

    Thoughts ?

    matt_outandabout
    Full Member

    How about an olde Bienn 26, with v-brakes, and Manitou Mars from Retrobike (that weigh less than the rigids they replace, and are plush air forks)?
    (Tall 8 year old by the way, and he is only just on it size wise, and towers over most of his year at school…)
    [url=https://flic.kr/p/mW7W8B]Callander House Falkirk MTB trails[/url] by matt_outandabout, on Flickr

    Spud
    Full Member

    Same debate here in April when our lad was 8. Went for the Creig in the end, it’s a cracking bike, excellently made. It’s proper little MTB. We thought as he’s bigger and riding quicker the sus forks and discs would be better for control and comfort. It’s a big wedge more than the Beinn but we have two kids and our youngest will have it after him.

    matt_outandabout
    Full Member

    Also look at other brands: the Trek weighs the same, despite heavier wheels.
    [url=https://flic.kr/p/mW8FqZ]Callander House Falkirk MTB trails[/url] by matt_outandabout, on Flickr

    matt_outandabout
    Full Member

    The Trek is rocking 8sp XTR brake levers / gears and some decent canti’s – and the stopping power for the kids is fine, even at high speed.

    FieldMarshall
    Full Member

    Just went through that same decision process for my 8 year olds birthday.

    Opted for the Beinn 26 small in the end. Decided that the 6lb weight difference was more important than forks and discs. Plus the Beinn 26 will last him longer than the Creig 24.

    His next bike will then be a proper 26. So lots of choice.

    He rode the 26 for the first time at Bike Park Wales on Sat. The 26 wheels made a massive difference compared to his previous 20inch Isla. I’ve fitted some 2in tyres at low pressure to give him some “suspension”.

    Picked up some cheap 80mm RS air forks which i’ll fit once he’s grown a little bit more, as he’s right on the minimum height/leg at the moment.

    Lakes_Puma
    Full Member

    Hey FieldMarshal

    Funnily I’ve just ordered a Beinn 26 small for my daughter as she’s now exceeding the recommended maximum height for her Beinn 20 Large and Isla said this was a natural progression.

    Sounds like I made the right choice based on your findings, scarily my daughter is 7!

    PTR
    Free Member

    My 8 year old is just going onto a Beinn 26, with 2″ tires and maybe some ex-retired Manitou forks, but how many of us have tall kids?! are they getting bigger? the age ranges don’t seem to apply any more.

    andyfla
    Free Member

    I do have 2 kids and the second is 5cm smaller at 3 than his brother was – perhaps I should feed him more.

    I must confess to possibly erring towards the lighter one – hadn’t thought of the slight size diff between sizes.

    Thanks for your input all but still not any nearer to a decision though 😀

    vinnyeh
    Full Member

    Just been through this with my son (not yet 7 1/2, 138cm, clumsy as **** 🙂 ), and decided on the Beinn 26, arriving today hopefully, after matt had mentioned on another thread what he’d done.
    Hadn’t entered my head that the fork could be replaced with suspension when/if necessary, but it tipped the balance- no need for disks at my lads weight – especially Avids, which have been problematic for me. He would also have been right at the lower height limit for the Creig.

    Less maintenance, less weight, more stand over, less cost.

    Now, have to deal with my daughter’s request that hers be powder coated into nice pale lilac. Cheaper than a new bike though.

    cookies
    Full Member

    Lilly my 6 year old has a Creig 24. She is riding Coed Y Brenin Fox and Minor Taur. She’s 130 and tall for her age. The weight is not an issue and she can peddle up most things. The long run on the Glentress blue for instance. I’m just hoping that the rarity of them will keep the resale value up.

    For Harry my 7 year old, he’s just outgrown the Specialised Hot Rock 24 which he has trashed… Revolution bike park was the nail in its coffin. V Brakes were not enough.

    So I’m building him a bike out of the parts bin and a new frame from On One – Inbred 26er – the small has a short top tube so it will be about right. Its going to be 1X10 and a rebuilt cassette with an 11-44 range. Some old Fox 100mm RL’s and Avid 5’s. So I’m hoping it will come out pretty light and cope with a bit XC to Free Ride.

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