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So, it has come to pass that no.2 spawn has hit the minimum seatpost insertion mark on her Beinn 20L. Theoretically she should move onto a Beinn 26 (or 26S in old money) but the sums of money involved for a new one are horrific, and there don't seem to be many s/h ones about.
No.1 is on a Trek Wahoo and she's just had a quick test spin on this, but again the price has ramped.
What's the recommended kids bike these days? Definitely more rigid/hybrid than MTB. Looks like there's a place in Halifax that is a Giant dealer and might be able to get an ARX26 in to test. Any other suggestions?
Mine got on well with their Hoy Bonaly 26" bikes, might be able to find one secondhand...
Aye, looks like the Hoy range has gone, as has Wiggins from Halfords.
Straight from 20" to 26" is that the Isla recommendation?
My eldest did a stint on a Cooker 24 before getting a 26er, youngest is currently the custodian of the cooker.
I did look a specialized hotrock 24 (and I think there's a 26er too) kid specific specializes aren't bad, Al frames, some come with rigid forks rather than bargain bin pogo sticks. This is all 2nd hand shopping of course...
Orbea are well regarded for their kids bikes too now...
Basically shop around the major bike brands and see what they're flogging. Then look on eBay to see it's actual value...
Sell the Beinn 20 and try and pick up a Beinn 24 in the interim 2nd hand. When you're ready to move up again, repeat with a Beinn 26? There's quite a few on Ebay etc at varying prices
We went from 20 inch wheel frog to 24 inch wheel (62?). Eldest is now on 26 inch wheel Squish. Both are good light bikes. Not quite as posh as the new Islas but a lot cheaper, and I found them second hand for believable money (barely used Squish was £200 in August).
Wild bikes are supposed to be OK and the Wiggins we're OK and are often cheaper as Halfords seems to have dropped them.
Cycle Sprog website has a lot of reviews and comparisons and a bike finder thingy.
https://www.cyclesprog.co.uk/
I don't think that Islabikes have the monopoly on decent kids bikes anymore. We went from a Beinn 20 to a Ghost 24. The hydraulic brakes and half decent suspension forks being a welcome bonus.
I sold a Trek Superfly 26 last year for 375, with 11 speed, hydro forks and discs. Heck of a bike! My 8 year old could ride it easily at 135cm. Dunno how tall yours are, but worth checking out (there's one on Facebook at 250 in Nottingham).
I don’t think that Islabikes have the monopoly on decent kids bikes anymore.
They definitely don’t, especially as prices have gone up (and for non-‘enthusiasts’ the name carries a lot of cachet, and so s/h prices can be ridiculous). But a lot of the options e.g. Hoy/Wiggins/Raleigh Performance seem to have been stopped too.
I suppose the attraction of Isla is the geometry is consistent, so you know someone who has grown out of e.g. a Beinn 20L will fit a Beinn 26S.
Agreed - I’ve had to do some work to persuade my OH of that. We’re off to the LBS this week to look at a Whyte 405 for my 9.5 yo. I want to get him on a 26 to make sure it’s right for him as he’s probably borderline between 24 and 26.
@ratherbeintobago Go and see what Happy Days in Sowerby Bridge has in. They had a very small donated Leftie in a couple of weeks ago, plus some other good stuff. It's impressive what they get donated!