Are Frog bikes worth the money?

Pardon the pun but POD’s not had an easy ride when it comes to cycling. When she was younger she wasn’t particularly interested in balance bikes, opting to scoot instead. And actually, that worked well for far longer than we anticipated. She had her first bike when she was around four and although she’d asked for one, even picked the style and colour out in the shop, she flat refused to ride it once the stabilisers came off.

She was a capable enough rider (if she cycled in a straight line!) but we figured she’d crack it in no time. That moment never came so despite trying, the bike was largely left abandoned in the shed. The penny dropped while we were at Center Parcs for the weekend with friends. Their two boys were both confident on their Frog bike and balance bike. While POD was super speedy on her scooter, she struggled to keep up once they hit any sharp bends, potholes or hills. She was adamant she was going to learn so we sought out cycling spots, only to spend much of our time at each carrying this heavy bike! So we took it to Northern Spain with us and helped her practise in the garden. It was on a slope and a mix of gravel and grass which made it much easier to get going. She’s always had great balance so aside from a couple of times when she careered into the hedge, she did well.

Once back in the UK, we ventured to Alice Holt Forest owned by the Forestry Commission, as often as we could. It wasn’t plain sailing and although she did improve, there were plenty of times we had to rescue her from beneath the bike, carry it or put the chain back on. Mostly, it was a combination of all three so she spent much of her time wearing a crash helmet but walking rather than cycling.

Choosing a bike

A few months before POD’s 8th birthday (on Christmas Day 2018), she asked for a new bike. So we began our quest to find one that would help her fall in love with cycling. We did a lot of research prior to visiting our local bike shop to ensure we bought the right one.

Weight

A lightweight bike was at the top of the list although it wasn’t something we even considered when we purchased POD’s first bike. Had we picked it up prior to purchasing it, we would have known it was too heavy. It turns out it actually weighed more than many adult bikes!

Quality

Quality was a key consideration. We wanted a well-made bike with a sturdy frame that was fit for purpose. And one that would last the distance, making POD feel safe while she was on it.

Size

As POD was effectively behind in terms of her ability, for her age group, we wanted her to have a bike that would make her feel comfortable that she wouldn’t grow out of within a year. At that moment in time, she didn’t need lots of gears for example – she just needed to build her confidence.

Suitability

Living in Surrey means we have a wealth of adventures on our doorstep. Cycling trails vary enormously and with the two of us on foot, we needed a bike that would work well on varied terrains such as tarmac, grass or off road situations like the forest.

Fun

Finally, POD had to really love this bike so she could remember how much fun she used to have. She was really keen to be able to keep up with her friends but a lot of practice was needed before that could happen.

Finding the best bike

When we considered the above, price tag aside, Frog bikes came out top every time. Added to which the range included road, track, mountain and hybrid options. The latter seemed like the best fit for POD and with her eight birthday fast approaching, we looked at the Frog 62 which is designed for 8 to 10-year-olds. This bike comes in a selection of colours, is lightweight (just over 9kgs) and has 24″ wheels. We had another conversation about whether we should purchase a bike before taking POD to a local stockist.

Having had a bike with much smaller wheels and still fairly new to cycling, she didn’t look entirely comfortable on the Frog 62. The Frog 55, however, was just perfect. Although designed for a younger age group, it has smaller wheels (20″) and weighed even less than the Frog 62 (8.55kgs). With plenty of room for growth, we opted for the Frog 55 instead and POD chose the colour. Initially, she opted for the Union Jack design, followed by spots but finally settled on pink. She was delighted when her birthday arrived and keen to give the new bike a whirl – a great sign given she’d been somewhat “meh” about cycling previously.

Of course, it wasn’t plain sailing from the off but the difference in POD’s ability in what was a relatively short period of time was remarkable. She needed a push to get going but once off, she learnt how to steer properly, use the gears and the brakes. From then on she insisted we go cycling regularly. This largely consisted of POD getting quicker and quicker while we ran along behind. The best day came when we hired bikes at Alice Holt Forest and all three of us got to cycle together as a family – for the first time!

The joy of cycling!

The change since then has been remarkable, POD adores her Frog 55 and its done wonders for her confidence. She was already a confident child but cycling was certainly her nemesis – now she relishes in the independence it brings. She regularly asks if she can go cycling in the forest and has the best time whether it’s just with us or we join friends (who she can now keep up with). The difference between the first bike and how she feels on her Frog 55 is on another level. As for carrying it, that only happens when it’s lifted onto the bike carrier at the back of the car. We’ve not had to carry it while we’ve been out once! So if you’re looking for a great quality bike, do have a look at the Frog range – we cannot recommend them enough. POD has had her Frog bike just over a year now and the change is quite astounding – added to which it still looks brand new. So yes, Frog bikes are totally worth the investment.

Have you visited our family travel blog? Head over to POD Travels for family travel inspiration and to see what we’ve been up to.