Shropshire based Islabikes has announced its range refresh, which includes updates to all models in its children’s bike range, plus new sizes and geometry in the mountain bike model. There’s no escaping the ‘longer, lower, slacker’ trend!
The key changes identified are:
- Lighter than ever – every model is lighter than its predecessor
- Increased gear range – on selected models Islabikes has increased gear range available
- New sizes – expanded Creig range to include a 20 and a 27.5 inch wheel option to bring proper mountain biking to a wider range of children.
- New saddles – for increased comfort for girls with no disadvantage to boys
- Lower Q-Factor – reduced hub, bottom bracket and crank widths on the Cnoc to make pedalling even more efficient for little legs
- Folding bead tyres across the range
- New colours – a fresh look and feel with new colours and some sharp new graphics
Creig (Mountain bike)
- 20” £699.99 (on sale from January 2020)
- 24”, 26”, 27” £899.99
The Creig sees some major changes to its geometry with a move from an XC focus to a more “relaxed” trail inspired geometry, making the Creig longer, lower and with a shallower head angle.
Two new sizes have been added to the Creig range, a 20 and 27.5” model. This is further to the already established 24 and 26” models. The Creig 20 will be fitted with a straight blade aluminium fork whilst the 24, 26 and 27 will be fitted with a Rock Shox 30 Gold which is a lighter, more tuneable fork than on previous models.
All sizes feature SRAM Level TL hydraulic disc brakes, Islabikes’ own 30mm axle, low Q-factor crankset and direct mount, narrow-wide chainrings. After listening to customer feedback all Creigs will be moving to SRAM X3 trigger shift instead of Grip Shift.
All Creigs come with Stan’s No Tubes rims, fitted with Vee Tire Crown Gem’s in 2.25” offering a large volume, tubeless ready wheelset.
Rothan (Balance bike)
- £179.99
The Rothan sees an update in colours and graphics as well as a switch to a folding tyre bead. This is a feature that has been introduced across the Islabikes range. Not only does it mean a reduction in overall weight, it also means removing and fitting the tyres is much easier.
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Issue 154£10.00 -
Issue 153£10.00
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Fold+Rll£30.00
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Singletrack Skateboard Grip Tape£16.99
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Issue 152£10.00
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Product on sale
Singletrack Lockdown 2020 Jigsaw Puzzle£9.99 -
Singletrack Not Jumpy Not Grumpy 426ml Coffee Mug£9.99 -
Product on sale
Being Gary Fisher Book£23.99 -
Product on saleSingletrack World Magazine: Season 2022 Box Set£24.99
Cnoc (Starter bike)
- 14+16” £319.99
- 20” £349.99
The Cnoc sees a whole host of changes, with a focus on further reducing Q-factor. This involves changes to the chainstays, bottom bracket shell, bottom bracket and rear hub, meaning that the Q-factor (horizontal width between pedal attachment) can be reduced even further, making the stance of smaller riders even more efficient in the pedal stroke. Taking Islabikes’ already custom rear hub width of 110mm on the Cnoc down to 90mm allows a super narrow Q-factor without negatively affecting chainline or necessitating disproportionately long chainstays.
Beinn (Multi-purpose bike)
- 20” Small + Large £399.99
- 24” £469.99
- 26” + 27” £499.99
The Beinn is the jack of all trades bike that is up for a bit of anything. Modifications to the Beinn have seen the Islabikes classic drop even more weight across all model sizes, notable changes are the addition of an aluminium straight blade fork and a change of gearing from a 12-32t cassette (7sp for Beinn 20s and 8sp for 24 and up) to 7sp across the model range, but with a change to an 11-34t cassette. This not only saves weight; it also further increases the gear range across model sizes.
Luath (Road, cyclo-cross, gravel)
- 24”, 26” £699.99
- 700 Small and Large £799.99
The latest Luath iteration includes Islabikes’ own full carbon-fibre fork with direct mount Tektro cable operated disc brakes. Islabikes has said they have gone for cable operated disc brakes as the range of brake levers available for hydraulic brakes are currently not child friendly.
The Luath features an upgraded drivetrain featuring Islabikes’ own 30mm axle, low Q-factor crankset that features Islabikes’ direct mount, narrow-wide chainring, making it easy to change gearing dependent on the type of riding undertaken. The Luath sees an overall weight reduction of almost 1kg over its predecessor, by far the lightest among its contemporaries. New for 2019 is a choice of Islabikes tyres at point of purchase, namely a road, gravel or cyclocross option.
If you fancy a great family ride, you’re going to need our top tips:
As well as a children’s bike, maybe you need a Grandma and Grandpa bike?
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They do hold their value well, and are really easy to sell on, but they have got pricey, especially the larger bikes. My daughter loves her Orbea MX24, which was a lot cheaper than the equivalent Isla. And the shape looks just like a proper grown up bike, but shrunk in the wash. Though the matt paint on a curvy hydro formed frame is an utter pig to frame wrap.
Junior Sanny has been riding a Creig 26 over the summer and absolutely loves it. It is definitely the best bike she has ridden and it is the one that she has enjoyed riding the most. She has the new one coming for test so it will be interesting to see how she gets on. She really likes Gripshift (which has now been dropped), orange is a favourite colour and the RST fork has been a revelation. The new model has a tough act to follow.
Looks like there are quite a few upgrades on the new model. Likewise, the Luath now has a carbon fork, disc brakes and has dropped a kilo. That is pretty impressive for an already light kids bike.
As for price rises, given how poor the pound is against the dollar, a price rise of £40 on a £280 bike that has seen significant design changes doesn’t strike me as unreasonable.
Islabikes appear to hold their value better than any other brand. I wouldn’t be surprised if there is a knock on uplift in second hand prices too.