Author Topic: Bike for 11 yo  (Read 4358 times)

Bike for 11 yo
« on: 14 November, 2020, 02:26:33 pm »
#1 son (11 yo) is in need of a new bike, he is probably going to move on to a 700C bike, e.g. Islabike 700.

As he is now a medium person as opposed to a little person I think he could graduate to a non Isla bike and potentially get as good a bike for less than the Isla price tag - but would the Isla be better enough that it would still be worth it?
simplicity, truth, equality, peace

Re: Bike for 11 yo
« Reply #1 on: 14 November, 2020, 02:32:06 pm »
The Isla you'll probably be able to sell for whatever you paid for it.
Other bikes, not so much.

Re: Bike for 11 yo
« Reply #2 on: 14 November, 2020, 02:57:27 pm »
The Isla you'll probably be able to sell for whatever you paid for it.
Other bikes, not so much.
That was exactly our experience. Bought a Luath (?) 700 on eBay and when mini was finished with it, sold it for virtually the same amount to someone in mini's local cycle club.
Rust never sleeps

Re: Bike for 11 yo
« Reply #3 on: 14 November, 2020, 02:58:41 pm »
For the Beinn 26 we bought new, mini and little miss both used it, and by the time we sold it (on eBay) the new prices had gone up so much that we sold for more than we bought it for.
Rust never sleeps

Adam

  • It'll soon be summer
    • Charity ride Durness to Dover 18-25th June 2011
Re: Bike for 11 yo
« Reply #4 on: 14 November, 2020, 08:09:52 pm »
If you want to encourage a child to continue cycling, then having a decent lightweight bike, rather than a heavy Halfords BSO weighing 16kg, is worthwhile. 

Islabike, Frog & Squish are the main ones making well designed very lightweight children's bikes, but also worth having a look at Decathlon - I was impressed by a Triban Junior road bike.

“Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance you must keep moving.” -Albert Einstein

Re: Bike for 11 yo
« Reply #5 on: 15 November, 2020, 06:23:19 pm »
Neighbour's son has outgrown his Kinesis Crosslight, so will try my son on that and see if he fits it.

Watching an Isla 700 on ebay, it went for <£300 including postage, which is a good deal I think. 

My son can just about fit the crosslight, it's a little too big but I reckon it can be the next bike for him after his Isla 24.  It's a very nice bike, especially at the asking price.
simplicity, truth, equality, peace

Re: Bike for 11 yo
« Reply #6 on: 24 November, 2020, 03:32:05 pm »
If you're after a 700c (or 24/26") road style bike for kids, it's worth keeping an eye on the CX facebook groups. Pretty much anyone on there will be an enthusiast, and the bikes tend to be brands you recognise as being quality bikes (or specialist CX brands). They might have had a hard life,  but they can probably stand up to a fair amount of abuse, and they are likely to have been cared for.