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Balance Bikes- Islabike, Frog or something cheaper
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dmortsFull Member
I’d like to get my son a balance bike. He’s just turned 2 and has inside leg of 30cm. This means he’ll fit the Islabike Rothan…. but it’s not cheap! I’d seek one second hand but under current circumstances that’s a bit tricky. He’s too tall for his ride on toys now, like the Scramble Bug, but he might struggle with a larger balance bike.
So, the main attraction of the Islabike is it’s way lighter than anything else. The Frog Tadpole is 4.1kg but the Rothan is 3.1kg. That’s a huge difference.
Is there anything else worth looking at? If he was older/taller/bigger then a cheaper, heavier bike might be worth looking at. But with summer here I don’t think we should hold out and just make the most of it.
The bike would go on to be used by his sibling, so it would hopefully get 3-4 years of use overall. The Islabikes also seem to hold value so accounting for that makes the cost more palatable!
SuperficialFree MemberMy son loved his Islabikes Rothan from around 2 onwards. I’m hoping I can sell for <£30 less than I bought it for (second hand, ~£110 IIRC), and they’re so simple there’s barely anything that can go wrong. I’d agree with your instincts about weight but don’t have any experience of any other balance bikes.
binnersFull MemberIslabikes are a quality bit of kit. Importantly you need to remember the golden rule of buying anything like this for a 2 year old…
You will spend as much time carrying it as he will riding it.
So that weight matters
Also: I bought a Rothan for my daughter and when she’s outgrown it I sold it on the classifieds on here for not much less than I paid for it new
Fresh Goods Friday 696: The Middling Edition
Latest Singletrack VideosFresh Goods Friday 696: The Middlin...yetidaveFree Memberwe had (a few years back now) a Norco balance bike. https://www.norco.com/bike-archives/2008/156/ this one. Superb little bike. Think they still do similar ones, but as my youngest is now 10, i havnt gone looking too far.
Skankin_giantFree MemberWe had a Zoom balance bike, can’t say the weight was any issue for our two, or me carrying it, think it was about £80 in Porthleven.
Got used extensively through Penrose walking the dog. I gave it to a local pre-school and it was still going when I left the village this year, boy had it from 2 and turns 9 this year.joebristolFull MemberAt 2 my daughter wasn’t that interested – we went with a Halfords Indi for £30 (think they’re £25 at the moment). Believe me it isn’t heavy – surprisingly. I went round a few shops and it was noticeably light – mainly because it’s quite small.
She grew out of it only recently and I’ve moved her onto a Wiggins Pau. That is also light / has proper wheels with blow up tyres / a v brake on the back. During the lockdown she’s really got going on it and is bombing along with both legs up balancing at times. Until she managed to eject herself over the handlebars this lunchtime that is! Wasn’t fully concentrating and had to swerve to avoid hitting a parked van that was up on the pavement….cue a few tears but luckily no injuries!
The Pau is a good colour for a boy – I actually picked mine up secondhand and stripped it / had the frame powder coated pink and I ordered vinyl paw patrol stickers to customise it when it came back.
She loves it!
Halfords Indi:
Wiggins Pau £80 currently:
richardkennerleyFull MemberWe had a Strider bike. Cost me £40 off eBay, should sell it for similar. It did the trick, she wasn’t interested at first, but she was only 18 months when I got it. Then all of sudden it clicked and she loved it and now she’s pedalling on a 14″ bike, and she’s not quite four.
kimbersFull MemberPuky terrible name, great bikes
LRM is 3.5kg & my kids all had no problem with them
Long/short rides up to 5km , swinley green, skatebowl , Stepdown area makes it very easy to handle
We bought 1st one new for about £70, it’s now just finished with son no 3 & been passed on to his cousin.
Had to buy another for his twin sister , but that was £25 on eBay in mint conditionI’d buy S/H, they’ll outgrow it so quickly !
Edit just seen vitus nippy is £45 new & weighs 1.9kg ! Seems like a great option
timmysFull MemberCan’t go wrong with an Isla but probably less important to invest in a balance than the first pedal bike. As above, weight is key for your benefit not theirs as you will be carrying it.
The one thing I would say not to do, which seems all the rage with MTB ‘names’ on Instagram, is to fit bars that are twice the width of the kids shoulder span and a lovely disc brake on the rear for them to slice their fingers off on.
joebristolFull MemberYeah that Vitus also looks a good option tbf.
At coming up 3.5 I’m trying to get her to understand the concept of the back brake to slow down rather than her feet – in preparation for a bike with pedals. I like the look of the Vitus 14” bike in pale green but I think it’s a bit expensive for something she’ll go through quite quickly. I might look secondhand / see if they have a sale on later in the year.
stumpy01Full Member+1 for the Halfords Indi at that age. We got one for our daughter.
When she outgrew that, we got her a Banana Bike GT – in yellow, of course! It’s a great little bike. We might have one for sale soon (ahem) because she’s now hankering after her first pedal bike.
northernsoulFull MemberPuky terrible name, great bikes
Agree. We went with the one that has a brake in order to ease the transition to a pedal bile and it worked a treat.
poahFree Memberoriginally bought sophie a Verenti Nippy Balance Bike from CRC – the vitus one looks the same. it’s light. moved up to a halfords carrera coast (on offer) one after she out grew the verenti
bsimsFree MemberOlder specialised Hot walk. Top tube is shaped as a carrying handle, foot plates to stop feet getting caught on the ground and causing a crash, 2.0 tyres for when he starts riding off kerbs. I think it weighs 3.5kg.
https://www.specializedconceptstore.co.uk/product/2480/2016-hotwalk-boys/
moonsaballoonFull MemberStryder bike here . Eldest rode it for a couple of years and his little brother ( just turned 2) has been making pretty good progress on it during lockdown .
superfliFree MemberThe Hoy Napier is a quality bit of kit.
https://www.evanscycles.com/hoy-napier-2020-balance-bike-EV347644I’ll be selling my daughters one soon if interested? Pretty spotless. Its Blue.
5labFull MemberI had one of those £25 halfords jobs followed by a specialized hotwalk. The halfords one was rubbish, the hotwalk was great, my kid loved both of them equally
legolamFree MemberWe bought our midget son a Woom 1 balance bike. Hadn’t heard of them before but they had the lowest standover height of all I looked at, plus were light and have a back brake. My son has been zooming around on it for ages now. It’s so stable because it’s got a noticeably longer wheelbase than others I’ve seen. Not cheap and haven’t seen any second hand, but now we’re seriously thinking about getting the Woom 2 pedal bike 4 months after he started on the balance bike properly (if he’d just grow another couple of centimetres!!).
5labFull MemberI wouldnt go to a pedal bike too quickly, if hes enjoying the balance bike let him carry on, they need a decent amount of leg strength before pedalling is an option
BillOddieFull MemberWe had a Isla for my boys, both got on very well with it.
I think it’s really important to have a rear brake on the balance bike as it teaches them to brake before pedalling (and to learn to do wicked skids on the grandparents courtyard).
thegeneralistFree MemberPuky terrible name, great bikesAgree. We went with the one that has a brake in order to ease the transition to a pedal bile and it worked a treat.
Agree +1.I’m a complete Islsbike fanboi, having had four brand new for our kids, but we had a
PukyKettler and it was great. It was also only about twenty quid or so.Don’t see the point in spending much on it. ( Unless your kid takes ages to learn of course, on which case perhaps it is slightly more worth it)
Edited because I’ve just realised we didn’t have a Pukey but a Kettler. 29 Euros of awesome.
stoxFree MemberAnother huge fan of the Puky.
My 4 yr old lad still uses his even tho he has a Frog pedal bike.
He’ll be devastated when he has to completely move on from It!daviekFull Memberwe had a LikeaBike jumper for 2 of our kids. Brilliant wee thing and worth a look for a second hand one.
steviousFull Memberwe had a LikeaBike jumper for 2 of our kids. Brilliant wee thing and worth a look for a second hand one.
Really glad to hear you say that as I have done that very thing and am awaiting delivery.
stevemuzzyFree MemberWiggins Pau, with discounts got it for 80. Looks grest, proper tyres and son loved it. Moved onto daughter now and still looks like new.
timberFull MemberAnother confirmation that the Like-a-bike Jumper is a rather good thing. Even has suspension and comes with two seatposts. Little bit smaller than other 12″ wheel bikes.
Got it second hand and about to send it on to a friend for his kids once mine has decided they no longer need it.
Lot of progression during this lock down, definite need for brakes now as already racked up a hospital visit for chin stitching after rather cocky hotlaps around the village.
New bike is a Black Mountain, little bigger, slightly challenging looks, but light, balance and belt drive, expandable, decent kit. Not a cheap option, but on par with early rider, Isla, Frog
hugoFree MemberI’d second weight and nippiness being essential.
I’ve got a Firstbike glass fibre effort for my boys as it gets good reviews and more importantly a friend was selling it!
It’s 3.5kg so reasonably light but is a bit bulky and flexy due to to plasticness. Wouldn’t recommending at all.
When child one went on to a peddle removed Islabike Cnoc 14 at 3 he was blown away even though it was heavier.
Child 2 is getting either a rothan or strider this summer. Definitely worth the spend, especially second hand as you’ll basically get it all back.
lochyFree MemberI can recommend this easy rider, we have second child on it now (they both started around 2y old). Its more expensive, but very good cannot recommend it enough.
richmtbFull MemberWe had a Cruzee balance bike.
It was stupidly light ~2kg. Bought off CRC for £70 but I’m not sure if they are still made. Shame as it was a really great little balance bike
dmortsFull MemberThanks all so far, loads to consider!
I think I can rule out the Frog as it’s quite a lot heavier than all others. Seems I can’t go wrong with the Islabike Rothan though.
The Wiggins Pau looks like a good alternative to the Rothan, but can’t find any standover/saddle height measurements and typically Halfords/Cycle Republic online descriptions contradict themselves. One bit says ages 3-4 and another section says ages 2-4! Also the Hoy Napier looks great but no brake. The Early Riders, these seem marketed to adults (Ritchey finishing kit?!) but look good.
Does the Puky have a steering limiter?
The brake/no brake thing has made me realise that he’s going to destroy his shoes! Any footwear recommendations too? Probably worth getting an expendable pair for biking. So far his shoes have survived well enough to be passed on but I think balance biking might change that…
joebristolFull MemberThe Pau fits my little girl who I think is 90cm tall at the moment.
The saddle is quite low at present – I’ve put it up once so far and it’s got plenty of height adjustment still to go as she grows.
It’s quite a lot bigger than the Indi which I sold last week for £15 despite having some scuffs on it.
I’ll see if I can measure it later for you.
t3ap0tFree MemberBTwin one for <£50, 3.5kg, has a rear brake. Child 1 is fairly tall but skinny and weak and she got on fine with it from about two and a half. Has just graduated to a Frog40, pedals off for now.
https://www.decathlon.co.uk/runride-500-balance-bike-orange-black-10-id_8349386.html
joebristolFull MemberMeasurements for the Pau:
So height from the ground to the seat tube collar is 30cm. Height from the ground to where the top tube meets the head tube is 42cm (the higher of the 2 top tubes). Mid point of that tube is 35cm above the ground. Wheelbase from front of the front tyre to back of the rear tyre is about 90cm. Height of the handlebar grips from the floor is about 54cm.
The saddle is currently 40cm off the floor and looks like it could go 3cm lower. Without undoing the seat clamp bolt to see minimum insertion I’d imagine it could go at least 4-6cm higher but don’t quote me on that one.
faddaFull MemberJust to throw in the mix:
Fadda Jr had a cheapo bike from toys R us with the cranks etc removed to use as a balance bike. Once he was strong/confident enough, cranks went back on and he continued to enjoy it until he was about 4, I think.
He was always (and still is) tall for his age, which probably helped…dmortsFull MemberMeasurements for the Pau:
So height from the ground to the seat tube collar is 30cm. Height from the ground to where the top tube meets the head tube is 42cm (the higher of the 2 top tubes). Mid point of that tube is 35cm above the ground. Wheelbase from front of the front tyre to back of the rear tyre is about 90cm. Height of the handlebar grips from the floor is about 54cm.
The saddle is currently 40cm off the floor and looks like it could go 3cm lower. Without undoing the seat clamp bolt to see minimum insertion I’d imagine it could go at least 4-6cm higher but don’t quote me on that one.
Great info thanks! That means the Pau would be too big for him now, as the saddle would be ~37cm off the floor
timberFull MemberI wouldn’t worry about lack of brakes on a first balance bike. Can’t say I’ve noticed excessive shoe wear either.
I thought it would be an issue when I first looked, but the reality of it is I can’t see when they would have been used when she was that young, only at 3 things have really sped up. Even though she has brakes now, she has no interest in slowing down.joebristolFull MemberGreat info thanks! That means the Pau would be too big for him now, as the saddle would be ~37cm off the floor
In which case the Halfords Indi is a good cheap stop gap until he’s big enough for the better balance bikes with back brakes etc. You might find he doesn’t even want to use it to start with – I just left it on display round the house until she showed some interest in it.
I got the Pau secondhand from Facebook classifieds for £35 in good condition. It cost £100 by the time I’d had it powdercoated pink though…..
hugoFree MemberI wouldn’t worry about lack of brakes on a first balance bike.
Agreed for the first balance bike. Just an extra thing to remember/fiddle with and slows them down in a bad way. 18 months to 3 years on a simple balance bike, then 3+ years on a Islabike/frog/etc with peddles off but brakes. When ready peddles on and bingo.
andyj98Free MemberThis thread has reminded me that I’ve got a Islabike Rothan (I think it is) in bits in the garage….
I bought it last year to rebuild, but I never got round to it after stripping it down!
If anyone wants to take it in bits, you’re welcome to make an offer!! haha
Or I might put the effort in to rebuilding it during lockdown.
A
dmortsFull Member18 months to 3 years on a simple balance bike, then 3+ years on a Islabike/frog/etc with peddles off but brakes. When ready peddles on and bingo.
Pretty much what I’m weighing up at the moment. I have to work out where he’s likely to be height wise in a year and am wondering how long a first pedal bike is likely to last. Assuming legs and height grow at the same rate, and using a growth chart, something like the Islabike Cnoc 14 Large or 16 would only last 1.5 years ( ~10cm growth on the 50th percentile). Is that right?
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