1st bike for a 10 year old

[srtuk03]

hi there.
I am after a bike for my 10 year old but dont know where to go. She has not ridden a bike before and struggles with balance and cordination, so I need something very simple (i.e not loads of gears!!). I will need it to have stabilisres, or be able to purchase some for the size bike I would require. she is of average height for a 10 year old, so believe I need a 24" wheel??
I dont want to spend allot, just in case she doesnt get to grips with cycling at all.
All help greatly appreciated!
Thanks
Shan

[glueman]

Hi Shan,
I don't believe your ten year old will need stabilisers, they're not even a great idea for children of 4 or 5. Stabilisers throw the steering out and avoid the balancing skills she'll need to develop. Either 24" or 26" wheels will do at her age but she'll get longer use out of a 26" wheeled bike. Avoid suspension because budget set ups aren't good and she'll likely spend most time on the road anyway.

Islabikes set the standard but are rare second hand. If you don't want to spend a lot of cash I'd scour the second hand ads anyway, new bikes tend to be in the £160 - £300 bracket, used perhaps a third of that.

[eileithyia]

Another vote for avoiding stabilisers, perceived wisdom these days is to take pedals off, drop saddle to "scoot" height and allow them to learn to balance by scooting along.

[Kevin K]

+1 for no stabilisers.

[random37]

If she isn't very confident, I wonder if one of those little micro scooter things might be a more gentle introduction? They'll learn the balance bit, and it's almost impossible to fall off one.

[meic]

The gears wont matter. Just put it in the best gear and tell her not to bother with them. When confidence comes which it surely will then they can sort the gears out for themselves.

I bought my son a bike with 21 gears when he was 7. He bragged a lot to his friends about the 21 gears but is only just starting to use the right gears now he is 12

Also gripshifts seem to take the skin off his thumb joint.

[sjl]

I would second the suggestion of an islabike - currently looking at these for my 9 year old - also see if she can fit a 26" wheel one - it will last longer

[gaz]

.

[stevew]

Another vote for Islabikes http://www.islabikes.co.uk/ and definitely NO stabilisers.
Islabikes are not necessarily more expensive as you can mostly get 2/3 of their original price when selling them s/h. Esp if you use this forum to sell 'cos as mentioned earlier, there's not many for sale.
Dawes also are listing some new kids bikes this year although I don't think they are available yet. So lots of unknowns especially weight which is arguably the most important single consideration when buying a kids bike.