Outstanding Value for Money (Apollo Force 14in Boys Bike 08)

Member Name: DavyMichelle

Product:	Apollo Force 14in Boys Bike 08
Date:	15/07/09 (81 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Amazing Price, Attractive, Sturdy, Easy to Ride

Disadvantages: Difficult Brakes

The Apollo Force 14in Boys Bike was a real bargain buy from Halfords for £58.73. This is a 2008 bike with a retail price of £99.99, but as the 2009 bikes are coming out now, this has been reduced as old stock. I don't think your average four to six year old, who this 14" bike is designed for, will really care a whole lot about current fashion though.

What attracted us to this bike was that it represented really outstanding value for money. The bike is solid and very sturdy, but at the same time it's light enough for our grandson to balance. With the saddle right down, the grandson can get his feet on the floor which is necessary for a new rider who lacks confidence. And as he grows, there is plenty of scope to raise both the seat and the handlebars so that this bike will easily last until he is six or even seven years old.

The wheels on this bike aren't 'fixed', which means that the pedals move the wheels, but the wheels don't move the pedals. So you can get yourself going, then just rest your feet on the pedals and the bike will continue to cruise along. With some character bikes that have 'fixed' back wheels, children are unable to do this as the pedals must go round when the back wheel does.

My only reservation about this bike is that the brakes are a bit difficult for a young child with small hands. They're quite stiff really, and there's a big gap between the brake and the handlebar. With practice, little hands will get used to this, but they will need some help and support to begin with if they're new to riding.

There are stabilisers that come with this but I can't comment as we didn't use them. This is such a great bike that we found all we needed to do was encourage the grandson to roll along a few times without pedalling to learn balance. After that, the same day, he was able to balance and pedal at the same time - so effectively he learned to ride a bike properly in just a day on this.

There might be marginally better kid's bikes out there, but for less than £60 you're going to be hard pushed to beat the value for money that this bike provides. It's well built, easy to ride, durable and good looking too. I think a lot of little boys will be thrilled to get one of these this summer.

Summary: Highly Recommended