Children's bikes

Martynt74 · 28 Mar 2022 at 10:57

Wow, heck of a bike for kid, but i guess given he's using it for a lot then it's worthwhile purchase.

I used to just jump off my bike and let it roll to a stop at that age

SDK^ · 29 Jun 2022 at 14:14

So after waiting several months for Canyon to get the bike in stock and ship it, it finally arrived today.
It's looks an absolute beast, a real trail weapon, especially for a kids bike.

One slight annoying issue - they cabled up the brakes the wrong way around - the right hand lever does the rear brake. Despite this safety notice being clipped to the brake levers :rolleyes:

Canyon were helpful - I logged onto their website live chat and they said they will cover the cost of taking it to a local bike shop to get the cables switched around.

Planning to visit some decent Wales and Scotland trail centres this year

Here's the comparison to his old Orange Zest 24.
The Orange was a decent bike, great gearing and has been 100% reliable. The only negative was the front fork - it really wasn't suited to a small rider (7-10 years old). Where the lighter rider weight meant it was difficult setting it up - practically 5-8 PSI to enable compression but that meant rebound wasn't as effective.

mattyfez · 29 Jun 2022 at 19:57

Looks good, you could have your LBS swap the brake lines over for not much money, if you don't feel comfortable doing it.

chroniclard · 29 Jun 2022 at 20:11

Brakes are normal for EU/foreign bikes. Sons bike is the same, I couldn't be bothered swapping it so just left it and he got used to it. :cry:

Django x2 · 11 Jul 2022 at 15:28

Anyone looking for a Kids bike at the moment (for boys, 5-9yo) I would strongly suggest the BMC Two Stroke. Weighed up against the Orange Zest (which is a cracking bike) it's a much better spec and cheaper to boot. Plus, BMC for kids!!! They don't know they were born...

rangor gubbins · 29 Dec 2023 at 15:14

I'm looking for a new bike for my daughter just turned 5.
We've been into cycles uk and they recommended this
Trek precaliber
Is spending the extra money for a good branded bike worth it for a 5+and year old, or shall I save £150 and go to halfords?

iGiDK · 29 Dec 2023 at 15:40

Probably not, folk will bang on about weight savings etc but it's a kids bike at the end of the day, they won't be going on all day rides in the mountains, just pootling around on pavements.

I'd save the money and just go to Decathlon personally (or Halfords, or even something second hand that has been looked after or barely used)

Martynt74 · 29 Dec 2023 at 16:46

Id go used too. Means you can keep buying the next size up when needed rather than trying to stretch it till absolutely necessary.

SexyGreyFox · 29 Dec 2023 at 17:39

One piece of advise I'll give you -
My nephew is now 11 but two years ago his Mum bought him an MTB and he still hasn't rode it because it's too big, I ride bikes every day but it's also too big for me.
Make sure the bike fits the child.

Doughnut007 · 29 Dec 2023 at 17:49

IMO untill they get to the larger bike sizes there is no point buying new bikes for kids.
They grow out of them too quickly and the bikes get abused.
All 3 of the bikes I have brough have been from Marketplace and she has loved them all.

SexyGreyFox · 29 Dec 2023 at 18:35

Doughnut007 said:
IMO untill they get to the larger bike sizes there is no point buying new bikes for kids.
They grow out of them too quickly and the bikes get abused.
All 3 of the bikes I have brough have been from Marketplace and she has loved them all.

Most of my bikes as an adult have been bought off Gumtree for a great price but going to their houses which are usually within 10 miles.
The two I use now are from 2012.

rangor gubbins · 29 Dec 2023 at 19:34

iGiDK said:
Probably not, folk will bang on about weight savings etc but it's a kids bike at the end of the day, they won't be going on all day rides in the mountains, just pootling around on pavements.

I'd save the money and just go to Decathlon personally (or Halfords, or even something second hand that has been looked after or barely used)

Second hand is a good suggestion. I'll see what I can find.
Thanks for everyone's advice and suggestions.

Doughnut007 · 29 Dec 2023 at 20:47

SexyGreyFox said:
Most of my bikes as an adult have been bought off Gumtree for a great price but going to their houses which are usually within 10 miles.
The two I use now are from 2012.

Yep. you can get some great bargains if you are patient.

SoliD · 1 Jan 2024 at 15:20

iGiDK said:
Probably not, folk will bang on about weight savings etc but it's a kids bike at the end of the day, they won't be going on all day rides in the mountains, just pootling around on pavements.

I'd save the money and just go to Decathlon personally (or Halfords, or even something second hand that has been looked after or barely used)

But if the bike is too heavy they won't ever want to ride it. If the decathlon or halfords are similar spec weight and size wise go there.

SDK^ · 1 Jan 2024 at 18:01

Doughnut007 said:
IMO untill they get to the larger bike sizes there is no point buying new bikes for kids.
They grow out of them too quickly and the bikes get abused.
All 3 of the bikes I have brough have been from Marketplace and she has loved them all.

All of the bikes I’ve bought for my son (the ones above), have been sold for 80-90% of the new price, after 2 years.
It basically means he‘s got to ride nice bikes for little outlay from me.

Doughnut007 · 1 Jan 2024 at 18:04

SDK^ said:
All of the bikes I’ve bought for my son (the ones above), have been sold for 80-90% of the new price, after 2 years.
It basically means he‘s got to ride nice bikes for little outlay from me.

True but the risk is there
If a £15 bike is lost stolen or destroyed who cares.