Frog bikes
Unlike ordinary children’s bikes, Frog bikes are super lightweight making whining kids struggling to push their heavy bike uphill a thing of the past. The only problem you’ll have to deal with now is trying to get your kid off their bike and into bed.
Designed by a small British company, run by husband and wife duo Shelley and Jerry Lawson, Frog bikes have taken the UK by storm over the past 18 months and their popularity is set to increase.
Available in a variety of colours and styles, the bold, playful designs grab the kids’ attention and the high quality and affordable price tags win the parents over too. With so many children’s bike brands out there buying a bike for your child can seem like a huge task but Frog bikes have models suitable for all ages. From the hugely popular Tadpole balance bike to hybrids, road bikes and mountain bikes there is a Frog suitable for all children from 2 to 14 year olds.
Frog Bikes also offers a free five year warranty on frames, forks, parts and paintwork, so you’re guaranteed to get your money’s worth with a Frog Bike. The only question that remains is: are Frog bikes any good?
The Frog Bikes Range
There are four main types of Frog bikes: balance bikes, hybrids, road bikes and mountain bikes.
The balance bike is called the Tadpole and is aimed at two to three year olds to help them master balancing on a bike before they move onto a model with pedals.
The hybrids are suitable for both on-road and off-road cycling and come in a variety of sizes perfect for three to fourteen year olds.
Available in three sizes, all of the bikes in the road range are great for those long family bike rides and the mountain bike option is an ideal choice for the adventurous child looking to tackle some tricky off-road routes for the first time.
Tadpole Balance Bike
£100
The ideal starter bike for your toddler, Tadpole Balance Bikes are suitable for two to three year olds with a minimum inside leg measurement of 34cm. Available in spotty, red, orange or purple, children instantly fall in love with the Tadpole bike.
The pedal-less design allows them to master balancing and steering safely before upgrading to a big boy’s or girl’s bike, so you should have less scraped knees and bruised elbows to deal with.
The easy to grip Tektro brakes can be adjusted to suit smaller hands and the quick-release seat post enables you to raise the saddle as your child grows. The Tadpole also features a steering limiter to prevent kids from over-steering and toppling over. There is a reflector and bell included as standard too.
Frog 43 Hybrid Bike
£185
Once your child is ready for pedals, the Frog 43 Hybrid Bike is the perfect upgrade from the Tadpole. It still features the steering limiter for increased safety for novice cyclists and has an adjustable seat post and brake to suit your child’s height and hand span.
The Frog 43 is available in spotty, red, orange or purple and is suitable for boys and girls with a minimum inside leg measurement of 43cm. It’s made from aluminium rather than steel, so it is lighter and therefore easier for children to handle than most other kids’ bikes.
Fourteen inch hybrid tyres make it suitable for both on and off-road cycling so wherever you’re heading on your next family bike ride, this bike will be the perfect companion.
Frog 73 Hybrid Bike
£280
A hybrid for older, more experienced riders, the Frog 73 Hybrid Bike is perfect for twelve to fourteen year olds with a minimum inside leg measurement of 73cm. Like the models aimed at younger children, the Frog 73 is available in the same bold shades of red, purple and orange but the signature polka dot variety has been replaced with a more grown up black.
The easy to adjust saddle height means that your kid won’t immediately outgrow their bike despite the ridiculous speed at which teenagers seem to grow, and the seven speed Shimano easy-twist gears and hybrid tyres make this a great bike for both on and off-road riding.
Frog 67 Road Bike
£425
The design team at Frog are constantly working hard to improve their bikes to make sure they are as near perfect as possible. The Frog 67 Road Bike is their latest creation and will be available for purchase from August 2014.
Available in red, black or white it is suitable for children with an inside leg measurement of at least 67cm and features narrow, short drop child-specific handlebars with Microshift short-reach brakes. It also comes with two sets of tyres to choose from: Kenda Road and Kenda Cyclocross.
Frog 60 MTB
£270
Frog Bikes currently has one variety of mountain bike for sale, the Frog 60 in purple. This is the ideal introductory off-road bike for eight to ten year olds with an inside leg measurement of at least 60cm.
It’s tough but lightweight design is durable and easy for children to get to grips with. It also comes with a bell, reflectors and mudguards as standard to make riders more visible and prevent their clothes getting too dirty as they race through puddles and zoom down muddy tracks.
Where to Find Frog Bikes for Sale
You can purchase Frog bikes directly from the website but Frog Bikes does recommend that where possible you buy from one of its many stockists around the UK, Europe and South Africa instead. This is so a professional can make sure the bike properly fits your child and is safely assembled. To find your nearest Frog Bikes stockist click here.
Alternatively you could opt for the eco-friendly and cheaper option and choose to purchase a second hand Frog Bike. Ebay often has Frog Bikes for sale at discount prices and Gumtree occasionally has a few advertised too.
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