Child first bike - advice pls - Page 2

Belgianmum · #21 21.08.2013, 12:25

	Quote:	Tom1234
	I spent an afternoon with my son teaching him how to get on and start off safety. It's not intuitive - and there is definitely a correct way of doing To Kri: Another point about the weight - if you do buy an 8Kg bike then don't add mudguards, a stand, a rack, permanent lights etc as you would have paid all that money for an 8Kg bike but you're daughter would still have a 15Kg bike.

We did that too. It took our son a while to master it and it was back breaking at times but it paid off big time.

I would agree with minimising the add ones too as a six year old won't need most of them. I do however think a stand is pretty useful and won't add much to the weight. Kids bikes can get pretty badly damaged by just being slung on the floor somewhere when they get off to play and there's nowhere suitable to lean them. I personally think it's much better if they can just park them up on the stand.

Tom1234 · #22 21.08.2013, 12:27

	Quote:	Belgianmum
	We did that too. It took our son a while to master it and it was back breaking at times but it paid off big time. I would agree with minimising the add ones too as a six year old won't need most of them. I do however think a stand is pretty useful and won't add much to the weight. Kids bikes can get pretty badly damaged by just being slung on the floor somewhere when they get off to play and there's nowhere suitable to lean them. I personally think it's much better if they can just park them up on the stand.

Our kids bikes have got stands - I'm not saying they're not a good idea - but then we haven't bought ultra-lightweight bikes for them.

Belgianmum · #23 21.08.2013, 12:37

	Quote:	Tom1234
	Our kids bikes have got stands - I'm not saying they're not a good idea - but then we haven't bought ultra-lightweight bikes for them.

Well you said not to add one so therefore implies that you think they're not necessary.
We actually added one to our son's latest bike as it came without one.
Having said that we never bought the ultralight bikes either. I think the three bikes he's had have all bern sort of medium weight as we didn't think ultralight was necessary. The main criteria for me was that I could easily lift it into the back if the car or onto the bike rack.

Tom1234 · #24 21.08.2013, 12:52

	Quote:	Belgianmum
	Well you said not to add one so therefore implies that you think they're not necessary.

Sorry, if I didn't make myself clear. What I was trying to say is that it's pointless to spend an extra 300-500CHF on a bike so you can shave off a bit of the bike's weight and then stick on extras that do weigh a fair bit.

A stand is a good accessory for a child's bike but is not essential for it's operation.

kri · #25 21.08.2013, 13:49

	Quote:	Tom1234
	To Kri: Another point about the weight - if you do buy an 8Kg bike then don't add mudguards, a stand, a rack, permanent lights etc as you would have paid all that money for an 8Kg bike but you're daughter would still have a 15Kg bike.

OMG you are so spot on!!!! I was going to do just that with the Islabike

Feel pretty stupid right now....

Thanks for this!!!!

BTW for any other readers: Isla Bikes has STOPPED delivery outside of UK so not an option for CH anymore (unless of course you drive back with it/put it on a plane etc)

K