Bikes for kids...

Is there anything with no gears (or very few gears) and light-weight for 8, 10 & 12 yr-olds? Islabikes is the nearest I've got, doesn't seem to be any competition.

Why do major manufacturers presume that after the age of eight you need 27 useless gears and would rather do weight-lifting than cycling? My present kids' bikes weigh twice as much as mine, with me on it; they're made of girders.

bought my nephew his first bike, it's fixed but omg, it must weigh 30lb. There's a guy who made his kid a lo pro.. Google it, I think he did a pretty detailed guide.

islabikes are great.
My little brother rides the cnoc, and with the addition of some new bars and the romoval fo the pads from the coaster brake(instant frecoaster :)) it's pretty damn hot.
pics if you want.

Islabikes are alright but overpriced for what they are, which is more subtle versions of their cheapy appollo/toys r us versions with less useless parts to make them a bit lighter/simpler.

But they are extroadinarily dull too.

I suggest you be a man and source the bits to put something together. There are plenty of old youth sized road frames out there from the era before manufacturers decided kids needed full suspension and brakes which do not work.

These older kids road bikes tend to have basic steel parts which will mean they are not much lighter than the crappy modern counterparts when stock. But change over the wheels, replace the cranks etc and you will fine yourself with an excellent pint sized lightweight racing bike.

Islabikes are alright but overpriced for what they are, which is more subtle versions of their cheapy appollo/toys r us versions with less useless parts to make them a bit lighter/simpler.

Please stop talking shit, you will not get better value for money than isla bikes. Proper bikes for children.

I read this as 'bikes for skids'

Fuji do the track model in a kids size, both 650 wheels.

I just said I thought they were slightly expensive for what they are/spec and that they are a little dull. (all of them are grey/black)

I know there are not many other options for kids sized bikes which arent loaded with heavy useless crap, but I still think putting something together yourself is the best choice. It shows 'love' and all that.

Isla bikes have gotten better but I still think it would be easy to better this for £350 and have something unique & arguably better even with lots of brand new parts bought from normal shops.

Thanks all, I did take deadly on board but opted for a Beinn 20 and a Beinn 26. It took me 2 years to build my Holdsworth to my liking so the kids will probably thank me for getting off the peg.

check out-
Puky , German --awesome- available from london recumbents in Dulwich Park(google them theyre cool)
Electra (u.s brand)make some nice bikes like the 'Townie' for that age range.
are you interested in trikes, I can post pics later?

But the Isla bike are actually designed with smaller cranks and simpler gears...

My girls both want Bobbins or a Pashley, though one has shown some interest inour world.
They currently ride a Moulton mini...

nice ^ i love seing kids on bikes, it the bike it officer in me

I built one for my son (just 7 and not too tall).

When I worked for Giant I got a lovely Alu 6061 diamond frame from Giant Taiwan with a RST suspension fork. For 24" wheels.

Got most parts through Ebay and now it's ready.
Still a bit too big for my son, but he has a beautiful bike for next year and the years after.

I didn't want to spend too much money yet, so I can still reduce the weight.

Selle Italia Junior saddle
Shimano 3x8 Revoshift
Double front chainwheel w/alu cranks SR Suntour
8 spd cassette
Shimano cassette hubs
Double wall Araya rims from an auction site, DB spokes
Cheap tyres. Here I can save weight when I buy some light ones, e.g. Schwalbe or others light (BMX) tyres.
Alivio rear mech
XTR front mech
Alu seat post
Alu Ritchey bars
Cheap EUR 10.- quill stem w/o offset
Cheap alu platform/cage pedals

Will shoot pictures soon.

Just very few bike companies do decent kid bikes.
As I mentioned, Giant Japan did.
Scott also.
Some others (Lapierre?) also.

Also about to finish a 24" road bike.
Almost the same story.
Hope it will fit next year.

Here are the pics.

The MTB 24" was finished some weeks ago. That means rideable, because my bikes are never finished. Needs some finetuning, like a 22T inner chain ring, lighter tyres, larger cogs in the rear. But it's good enough to get used to the bike. Still a bit big though, a nice 20" race BMX would be a better option at this moment, but rare and too expensive.

The road bike (SS) is just finished today, because I was waiting for a 4cm Truvativ Hussefelt oversized stem. It arrived today, so I could finish the bike. But again, tuning is required. Shorter reach brake levers (does someone has a good tip for short reach levers for drop bars, no brifters..., or even wants to get rid of them?), find the right gear, nice pedals, perhaps with toeclips and straps.
But check out the Concor jr. saddle and Campag. Record carbon levers w/o internals (borrowed from former pro team Liberty Seguros or Once).
Bike is still to big (saddle too high, t/t too long), but it's nice for next year.

I just got back from NYC, and continuum have built a very small and light weight frame that runs two 650's, it's aluminium and pretty light.

They are also expensive.

Brilliant. How many seven-year-olds own carbon Record levers?