IslaBikes for kids

[LeeS]

http://www.islabikes.co.uk/

If any of you have bought a kids bike from this company can you let me know what the bikes are like.
The bikes I've seen in the shops are very limited for kids, particularly girls, because unless they want to ride an MTB with unnecessary suspension then you are left with something that looks like an old Shopper.The bikes on the site look ideal in every way but I wandered if any body could give feed back.

[Marek]

I saw a couple of youngsters on these when I was up at Hillingdon one afternoon. They are really good, they have special brakes so that you don't have to reach too far and the geometry is set up well. The parent I spoke to was very happy, so much so that he had two, one for his younger kid as the older kid got on so well with the first one. If your kids are really into cycling then I would say go for it as for a racing bike I don't think there is much more choice. Difficult to get second hand though, I have been looking and they don't come up.

Cheers

Marek.....

[Lucyap]

My son (nearly 4) is on his second IslaBike, the first was an IslaBike balance bike. Been really happy with the bike's we've brought. Very well made and tough, but light too. Nice, friendly company to deal with.

[LeeS]

As far as second hand go they said they will buy the bike back , at pretty low cost I would think, but it seems quite unique . I've only prowsed here and there but a used one is like gold dust which must be a sign of quality.
My daughters birthday is at the end of December so hopefully I can palm this off as a joint Christmas and birthday present.

[Dombo]

A colleague at work bought one for his daughter. Said she loved it and he was very impressed with the build quality, equipment etc. If you google them and trawl various forums (fora?) you'll find generally very good reports on them.

[Snoop Doug]

Keira (7) has a Trek. It's OK and has some natty design features to accommodate growth (adjustable handlebars, dual positions on the pedal cranks), but it doesn't have the kid friendly design and (lack of) weight of islabikes. I've regretted this purchase ever since - Keira has got used to it and is doing pretty good now but if I could do it again....

[img]http://i34.tinypic.com/2lupb8k.jpg[/img]

[EdO]

Lee, if you want your little one to try out an Isla bike then why not pop down to Blackheath for the Young Lewisham & Greenwich cyclists.
http://www.britishschoolofcycling.com/

There's free parking at Blackheath station on a Sunday and they have regular rides for kids that go along the thames path and other places.

The free bike hire is mainly for Isla bikes and you may need to book in advance but we've not had any problems.


PM me if you decide to go.

[Andrew G]

You see quite a lot of kids racing on Islabikes at Palace. They look very good, like a "normal" bike but scaled down and built with plenty of scope for seatpost and stem extension/raise as your kid grows so not the ever growing out of issue.

[LeeS]

I've been working in Matlock the last few days and haven't been able to look on the forum so thanks for all the input and although I was 99% sure of Islabikes before, you've made the decision easier.
Incidently if anybody wants serious hill climbing Matlock would be a good place to start. I had a touching cloth moment when I had to put my van in first gear to get to the top.I'd like to take the bike but Mrs S is under the impression I'm having an easy time of it and I wouldn't want her to think I was enjoying myself .

[CaroleH]

These bikes are brilliant. All my kids have them from the balance bike up to the 20" bike (soon to be next size up!!!). Would recommend them and the company delivers pretty quick as well.

Carole H