Want to try out an Islabike Cnoc 14 or 16 for size please!

bobobear

Hi, I'm looking to get an Islabike Cnoc 14 or 16 for someone's fourth birthday in a few weeks. She's been tearing it up on a Specialized Hotrock 12 for the last year or so and is dying for a new bigger lighter bike with TWO brakes.

The only thing is having to import it from the UK sight unseen - I would really like to try her out on one before buying. She's right under the minimum standover height for the 16, but I'm reading that they run a bit small in sizing?

Anyway - if anyone has any advice, or a Cnoc 14 or 16 we could try on for size for a few minutes anywhere near Dublin in the next week I would be muchly appreciative.

Thanks!

Alek

Have you thought about Frogbikes? Very similar quality to Islabikes, a tad cheaper and can be tried and purchased locally - at least one place in Dublin I know of have them in stock.

Matt Bianco

I had a Cnoc 14 for my son which brought him from his balance bike (aged a little under 4) to the age of 5 where he needed to move onto a 16 which I expect he'll have until he is 7 based on my daughter. IMO I'd go for the 16 for longevity unless you have younger kids who'll also use it in time where you could opt for the safer option and the 14.

oinkely

where are you bobobear? I have my daughters cnoc 14 in the back of my car in work today. and will be there for the rest of the week. Near Dun Laoghaire. I'm here from 10 to 6 every day. PM me if that will suit you.

NamelessPhil

I've checked with our daughter and she says that you can try her Cnoc 16 bike. We're based in South Dublin. Send a PM if you're interested.

barrabus

my 4 1/2 yo has a frog 16 which is the exact same size as her cousins isla 16.
PM if you want to see it am in dublin14.

letape

OP - my son has a Cnoc 14 which you are welcome to try. Based in Greystones.

bobobear

Thanks all! Will be in touch tomorrow to organise a few try-ons! Boards is the best!

dscott15

Hello, my 5-year old son has a blue Islabike 16 (blue) that we got for his birthday this time last year. We are looking to sell it and replace it with a larger Islabike or BMX. Please feel free to contact me if you're still looking to try it out. We're in SW Dublin. They are great bikes. My son had a Strider balance bike and was up and on his Islabike in under an hour at Marley Park. All before his 4th birthday. Never needed stabilisers.

Islabikes are lightweight, easy to control, good brakes/gearing, the chain is covered so dirt (and trouser cuffs!) don't get caught in it and the frame is high-quality aluminium.

Cheers,

Daniel

josip

Agree with all here. Our (small) son who never liked/used his heavy balance bike learned to ride without stabilizers on his Cnoc 14 while he was still 3.
They give great confidence and are so easy for the little ones to manage.

bobobear

Thanks guys! We went out to see NamelessPhil's cnoc 16 at the weekend. While she could ride it, it was just a touch too big and she found it a bit scary. We're going to get the 14 for the sake of her confidence. She'll be four in a couple of weeks and don't want to put her off cycling.

She had a balance bike from 2-3, and got a Specialized Hotrock 12" (from adverts) at 3, with no stabilisers. She could ride it very confidently by 3.5 and has been beasting all over glendalough on it for the past six months. The reason for the upgrade is that as well as being a bit cramped, she pushes the bike too hard, and it only has one hand brake (front) and one coaster brake so she's taken a few bad spills.

The cnoc 16 was much, much lighter than the hotrock 12, and the brakes were amazing. Dying to see how she does on the 14.

Would recommend the no stabilisers route to anyone! Worth every penny.

bobobear

Oh, and I really wish she could handle the 16, you would definitely have a purchaser here Daniel! Unfortunately don't have the funds to keep a 16 in storage for a year til she's ready for it. Thanks for the offer though!