At a glance Simply the best way to get your kids into cycling without ever having to deal with stabilizers
Tested by
Artie (4) and Charlie (3)
Performance
One of the proudest days of my life was watching my two kids
pedal their first tentative meters on a proper 'grown up' pedal
bicycle. For my eldest it happened when he was just four years old.
The following day he went out on his first bike trip - a wholloping
ten mile ride through the New Forest while his mum and dad walked
alongside. It took us all day, we had lunch in a pub and I lost
count of the number of times he fell off... but he love it. My
youngest boy immediately wanted to follow in his brother's
footsteps and he started pedalling a proper bike not long after
when he was just a couple of weeks off his third birthday. The
secret was this balance bike. It comes without pedals so kids start
by walking along holding the handle bars; then sitting on the
saddle, running and sitting and finally gliding along with their
feet off the floor. When they've done that the transition to a
proper bike is easy, because they've already got the tricky issue
of balance out of 
the way. But there's really no rush, because this
is an incredibly entertaining and exciting machine: which has given
both of my boys hours of entertainment and great outdoor
exercise.
Isla Rowntree has national championship medals in cyclocross, road racing, track spiring and mountain biking, who has decided to make bikes just for kids. And while this Rothan is the entry bike for kids who need to take that first step, her company makes a range of serious bike for kids. "All bikes have child specific frame geometry and a full set of proportional components, including brakes that can be operated safely with small hands," says Isla, on her website. "Gear ratios are carefully selected to suit the age of the child. Each bike can be customised at the point of purchase with tyres that exactly suit the intended use - you can also have a set of full mudguards and a carrier. This way each bike can be used for mountain biking and cyclo cross, as a track racing machine at your local track league, for going to school, touring holidays or days out exploring with the family."
There are a number of really good balance bikes on the market,
including the very popular wooden LikeABikes and excellent Madison
Zooom b
ikes. But there are also a lot of cheap and
frankly poor imitations and that's where this bike stands out. Its
geometry is well thought out ideally designed for your kids needs,
it has fantastic handling and it will deliver hours of fantasic
use. "We believe we have built the best bikes available for
children whilst recognising that a growing family is expensive and
they must be affordable," explains Isla. "We have spent your budget
wisely - every part is specified because it improves performance,
safety, comfort or ease of use."
The latest Rothans feature a single rear brake. My youngest got through over three pairs of shoes with his innovative 'drag anchor' brake system (basically scuffing his shoes along behind him)... so this is definitely a welcome addition on a brilliant kids bike that's worth every penny.
Manufacturers description
This delightful aluminium balance bike teaches children two wheel balance from a very young age. This allows them to skip the stabiliser stage when they get their first bike with pedals. Constructed to the same high standard as our bigger bikes and features our exclusive brake for safe stopping with tiny hands.
Features:
- Lightweight 7005 T6 aluminium frame
- Cro-moly forks
- Narrow axles secured with rounded bolts give more clearance for scooting legs
- Integral steering limiter prevents handlebars spinning round
- Small diameter handlebars give tiny hands a secure hold
- Dedicated low slung 'scoop' saddle makes scooting easier
- Pneumatic tyres
- Exclusive ultra short reach aluminium brake lever with 'V' brake gives light action braking for tiny hands
Where can I find out more? www.islabikes.co.uk
