What bike for a 3yo?

Our lad is 3 next month and we’re looking at getting him a bike with pedals and brake to replace his Rothan. Are there any others to consider other than another Islabike?

Ridgeback do some decent ones with an intermediate 14″ wheel size.

Specialized hotrock! I bought one for my daughter its brilliant, just like daddys big specialized as she says.

We’re on our 4th Islabike – up to the 6 year old Beinn – with our eldest. Smaller models are still going strong with 2 younger siblings and the occaisional loan to friends (who inevitably also then buy islabikes). For no-fuss, no gimmick bikes that last, I don’t think you can go wrong.

Thump (not quite 3yrs old) has a Norco bike and loves it.

No brakes but the bike is lighter as a result (unlike the Ridgeback, but his wee hands would be too small for brakes anyway). Thump just controls his speed by dragging his feet.

Second the spesh Hotrock, great little bike and looks the part 🙂

Trouble with the Spesh (and many others imo) is that they go from 12″ wheels up to 16″. My eldest got her first proper bike aged 3yrs 3 mo by which time she was already getting too big for a 12″ wheel but the 16″ was still quite a bit too big. Not many seem to do the 14″ which will fit her still for another year or so (she’s just 5 now)

Now we’re reaching that stage with #2; Who else (apart from Ridgeback and Isla) do this intermediate size?

The Ridgeback 16 is great, I expect the 14 would be very good too. The problem with the Spesh (we have a Hotrock 12) is that it has a coaster brake, which can cause problems when learning to set off.

You wont go wrong with a Ridgeback.

Anyone on here got a Rothan going spare that they would be interested to sell? If so I’d be very interested

Thanks
Simon

Not for a good while yet as my daughter is likely to have it next.

but his wee hands would be too small for brakes anyway

The tiny Islabike brake lever is very impressive – no problems using it at 3 and a bit.