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Child bike specialist Islabikes has introduced four child-specific track bikes, a niche bike category but one where product is so rare it becomes an instant hit.
The Reis bike is suitable for velodromes and, with the optional grass track tyres, grass track racing.
The Reis 20 suits an average sized child from 6 – 8 years. The Reis 24 suits an average sized child from 7 – 9 years. The Reis 26 suits an average sized child from 8 – 11 years. The Reis 700 suits an average sized child from 10 – 13 years
The Reis frame is Reynolds 525 cro-moly tubing throughout. Frame and forks have clearance for grass track tyres. There’s a double sided fixed rear hub with 15t and 16t sprockets already fitted, and which allows quick gear ratio changes if bike is being shared across age groups. The bike has Miche cranks, in correct lengths for size of bike, and Islabikes’ own-brand of proportional handlebars. The Reis is supplied with toeclips and straps.
The Reis costs £399.
Company founder Isla Rowntree is a former national champion cyclo crosser, and for three and a half years was head of the bike division at Halfords. In 2006 she restarted Islabikes. This business was mothballed in 1998. It made bespoke, women-specific frames and the fabled Trailerbike, an Islabike tradename.
The Trailerbike was incorporated into the new stable of children’s bikes produced by Rowntree. She sells the bikes direct from her website and from a showroom in a rural business complex on a West Midlands farm. Islabikes are bought by cycle enthusiast parents and the brand is well-represented in British Cycling Go Ride children’s clubs around the UK.
